Although Halma wasn’t moving an inch, she couldn’t stop her mind from running wild.. Hmph! Who wants such an unreliable man? I’m done with him! In truth, she already saw the news last night soon after it was released, and she sat in a meditation position quietly until daybreak without even batting an eyelid. By the time Nathan came over, she had already thought over their relationship repeatedly to the point where she couldn’t remember it..
Yes, she didn’t believe him. Her phone kept ringing, doing its level best to annoy her. Sure, she should have taken a look at it, but she was simply not in the mood. The news of her boyfriend checking into a hotel room with another woman went viral on the Internet, and she didn’t even have the guts to walk out of her place because of this.
She didn’t know how she was going to face the stares and judgment of those strangers, not to mention those who just wanted the most recent hot gossip under the pretense of concern. So, she, out of sheer spite, returned to her bedroom, crawled under the sheets, and went to sleep.
Due to Halma’s refusal to contact anyone, even Olivia had failed to get in touch with her. Thus, it was an anxious and highly concerned Olivia that demanded Eugene send her to Halma’s place. To her dismay, there was no response from the inside even after she pressed the doorbell several times.
In the end, she raised her voice and exclaimed, “It’s me, Halma! Open up!” Then, she turned to Eugene. “Go to work. I’ll accompany her.”
That was a no from Eugene because he was worried, and his wife was his highest priority right now. “I’ll wait until you go in. What if she isn’t home?”
Olivia shot him an annoyed stare. “Do you think she’ll be in the mood to go out right now?”
Eugene scratched his nose sheepishly as he wondered, Why do I keep making my wife mad when I’m trying to clean up that bratty Nathan’s mess?
Awkwardness washed over Olivia for a few seconds before she tried the doorbell again. “Open the door, Halma. Are you going to let a pregnant woman stand at your door? Open up; there’s no one else besides me.”
After that, the door slowly swung open, and Halma stood at the doorway with a blank look on her face. She was in the same clothes as she did at the party last night. Her hair was unbrushed and neither did she wash her face. The usual twinkle in her eyes was gone and a prominent set of eyebags hung beneath them instead, proof that she hadn’t slept a wink last night.
Olivia felt her heart wrenching painfully as she stepped forward, pulling Halma into a hug. “Halma…” Then, she stroked Halma’s back gently as she cooed, “It’s okay. Everything is fine.”
Halma didn’t utter a word as the dam broke and tears flowed out of her eyes uncontrollably. She couldn’t understand why she was breaking down now, especially after she had fought to keep her tears at bay the whole night. On the other hand, Olivia took this opportunity to shoot Eugene a look, gesturing at him to leave.
Eugene sighed and said to Halma, “There are more things at play here. If Nathan has truly been unfaithful to you, I’ll take care of him on your behalf.” After that, he reminded Olivia, “Olivia, don’t forget that you’re pregnant. Control your emotions and I’ll pick you up later.”
Alas, Olivia simply urged impatiently, “I got it. Run along to work.” Just a second ago, she had boldly claimed that she came alone, but Eugene just had to make his presence known by speaking.
Eugene frowned as he grumbled in his heart, Why is everyone else more important than me in my wife’s heart?
Halma mechanically poured a glass of water for Olivia, washed some fruits, and placed a soft pillow behind Olivia’s back while doing everything in complete silence.
Olivia was distressed upon seeing her in such a state, saying, “Didn’t Nathan call you?”
Halma nodded in response. “He did, and he didn’t stop. He even dropped by this morning.
“What did he say? Did he explain himself?” Olivia inquired anxiously. Suddenly, Halma looked at her gravely. “I didn’t let him in.”
“Why not?”
“Why should I believe his explanation instead of my own eyes?”
“You can’t put it that way. What happened last night was all a setup arranged by his parents,” Olivia said. “That woman is the blind date whom he stood up the last time, and he claims that he didn’t cheat on you.”
