Summer's Rose

Chapter 11: Does He Hate Me?

"Does Ah Nan hate me?" Rachel murmured, her voice carrying a hint of unease. She wore a sleek black dress that accentuated her curves, her softly curled hair brushing against her collarbone, lending her an air of effortless sophistication. Barely in her late twenties, she exuded a youthful charm that belied her years.

"I called him today, but before I could even finish speaking, he abruptly hung up on me."

“That brat doesn’t know any better. Don’t take it to heart,” Zhou Heng replied, taking a drag from his cigarette. He exhaled a swirl of smoke, his slender fingers deftly extinguishing the remaining stub in the ashtray.

Rachel’s fingers tightened around her phone. "Should I call him again? I’m afraid he might not answer.”

“He’s at No. 6 High. You can wait for him at the school gate or come to the house,” Zhou Heng suggested nonchalantly.

"Alright, I’ll go to the school gate. It’s been so long since I last saw him. I wonder how tall Ah Nan has grown," Rachel said, a touch of nostalgia creeping into her tone.

“He’s taller than both of us now. Looks more like you. Handsome, naturally. You’ll see when you meet him,” Zhou Heng replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Rachel’s expression softened as memories surfaced. “Ah Nan was so small back then, barely reaching my waist.” Her voice grew quieter. “I wonder if he resents me after all these years.”

“He doesn’t. If anyone’s to blame, it’s me. I wasn’t capable enough back then,” Zhou Heng admitted, his voice tinged with regret. Before he could say more, a crisp “Mommy!” rang out from the other end of the line.

“I’ll talk to you later,” Rachel said hastily, ending the call. She looked down at the young boy in front of her, his innocent face upturned as he clung to her skirt.

“Are you hungry, sweetie? Mommy will make you something to eat,” Rachel said, brushing his hair gently.

“Mommy, who were you talking to just now?” Liang Jieran asked, his round eyes wide with curiosity as he tugged on her dress.

Rachel hesitated for a moment, unsure how to explain. She knelt to his level and smoothed his hair again. “Actually, Ran Ran, you have an older brother. The man on the phone was his father.”

“Can I meet my brother?” Ran Ran’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Rachel looked at him, seeing shades of Ah Nan’s younger self reflected in his features. “Your brother might not want to see us right now, but when he’s ready, I’ll take you to meet him. Does that sound good?”

“Okay! Ran Ran has a brother now! Ran Ran has a brother!” the boy cheered, his face lighting up with joy.

Rachel watched his radiant smile, a bittersweet warmth spreading through her chest. For a fleeting moment, she could almost see Ah Nan tugging at her sleeve, calling her "Mommy" in that same endearing way.

Yet, despite the flood of memories, she did not regret her decision to leave back then. She could never have endured the hardships of that life. Still, thinking of Ah Nan only deepened her resolve to shower Ran Ran with love, as though compensating for the guilt that lingered in her heart.

She found herself wondering, after all these years, how much Ah Nan had changed. What kind of person had he become?

The thought lingered, nagging at her even as she tried to focus on the present. The past was a shadow, cast long and deep, tethering her to memories she both cherished and despised. She tried to shake it off, turning her attention to Ran Ran, who was now playing with his toy car.

“Honey, I’m home,” a deep voice interrupted her reverie.

Rachel turned to see her husband, Alvin, walking into the room, his steps unsteady. The faint scent of alcohol wafted toward her as he approached.

“You’re home early,” she remarked, taking the briefcase from his hand.

“I missed you,” he murmured, leaning heavily against her. His breath reeked of booze, and his weight bore down on her slight frame.

“How much did you drink? You reek of alcohol,” Rachel said, helping him to the couch. Once he was seated, she crouched down to remove his shoes. “Wait here. I’ll get you some honey water.”

She returned from the kitchen moments later, a steaming glass in hand. But when she reached the living room, she found him sprawled across the couch, already fast asleep.

Rachel set the glass on the table, her gaze drifting to his phone as its screen lit up with incoming messages. She hadn’t intended to pry, but one notification after another popped up, each catching her attention.

[Jessica]: Did you enjoy yourself today? I’ll be waiting for you at the usual spot next time. 😊

[Jessica]: Are you home yet? Why aren’t you replying? 😿

[Jessica]: Kitten emoji.jpg

Rachel’s fingers tightened around the phone, her heart pounding. With trembling hands, she used Alvin’s finger to unlock the device, her chest tightening as the messages opened.

The chat log revealed a series of flirtatious exchanges.

[Jessica]: This is the dress I just bought. Do you think it looks good? hot photo.jpg

[Alvin]: It doesn’t matter; I’ll just rip it off anyway. 😉

[Jessica]: You’re so naughty!

As Rachel scrolled further, her stomach churned. Last Saturday, he had claimed to be working overtime. Instead, he’d spent the evening in bed with this woman. The bracelet he’d given Rachel earlier in the week, claiming it was for her, turned out to be a free gift from the necklace and ring he’d purchased for Jessica.

Rachel’s fingers trembled as she delved deeper into their history. The volume of messages exchanged between them in mere days dwarfed the sparse conversations she and Alvin had shared in months.

She checked Jessica’s social media profile. The photos painted a picture of a young, innocent-looking woman in her early twenties. In one image, she stood beneath a tree in a flowing white dress, her smile radiant. Rachel’s stomach sank as she recognized the resemblance to herself years ago—the version of her Alvin had fallen in love with.

The honey water had long since cooled on the table. Rachel sat on the couch, her gaze fixed on the man snoring softly beside her.

The faint scent of unfamiliar perfume lingered on his clothes, blending with the alcohol. How had she missed it earlier?

She stared at him, her thoughts a whirlwind of disbelief and betrayal. Memories of their early days together flooded her mind. When they met, Alvin had seemed like the perfect man: polite, considerate, and unwavering in his devotion. He claimed to have fallen in love with her at first sight, captivated by her innocence and grace.

“I don’t care about your past,” he had said. “I’ll wait for you, no matter how long it takes.”

His patience and persistence had worn down her defenses, and she’d eventually said yes. Their wedding had been a beautiful, hopeful new beginning.

But now, sitting there with evidence of his infidelity glaring back at her, Rachel felt like a fool. How could the man who had promised her the world have betrayed her so easily?

She glanced at the messages again. The laughter, the intimacy, the care he shared with Jessica—it was everything she had thought belonged to her.

As she watched him sleep, her fingers itched to pick up the glass of honey water and throw it in his face. But she didn’t. Instead, she sat silently, the weight of her realization pressing down on her like an unrelenting tide.

For years, she had believed in their love, believed in him. Now, all she could see was a stranger.

Ran Ran’s laughter echoed from his room, pulling her back to the present. She walked over to his door, peeking in to see him playing with his toys, oblivious to the storm brewing in her heart.

Rachel leaned against the doorframe, her thoughts a chaotic mix of anger, sadness, and resolve. She had built her life around this man, trusted him with her heart. But now, she knew she couldn’t stay silent.

Her gaze hardened as she turned back toward the living room. Alvin might not know it yet, but everything was about to change.