part8
720 Words
As soon as we got in the car, Lilith couldn't wait to explain herself.
"William, the whole thing on i********: isn't what you think. I made a whole dinner, and since you didn't come home, I didn't want it to go to waste, so I invited Owen over."
So, she didn't want to waste the food. That's why, in the middle of the night, she brought another man over for a candlelit dinner?
I never realized Lilith had this virtue before.
I didn't respond, but Owen decided to speak up.
"Tonight was really just an accident. I was just dropping off some files Lilith had left at my place, and then she asked me to stay for dinner. You don't mind, do you?"
Owen made it sound polite enough, but I could see through the rearview mirror that he was watching me closely, his eyes full of disdain and smugness.
I knew why.
Because we looked so much alike.
Anyone with half a brain could tell—I was a stand-in. Lilith married me because she was deeply in love with him and couldn't have him, so she settled for someone who looked just like him.
Owen was deliberately trying to provoke me, hoping I'd get angry. But too bad for him, I didn't care anymore.
I replied calmly, "What's there to misunderstand? It's just dinner. If you like Lilith's cooking so much, feel free to come over more often. She can cook for you anytime."
My tone was lighthearted, but Lilith frowned.
She seemed like she wanted to say something but never did.
The two of them chatted and laughed about old memories the entire drive, while I sat in the back, silent.
Before we got out of the car, Owen suddenly pulled out a piece of clothing and handed it to Lilith, his expression smug.
"Lilith, almost forgot this—your shirt. I washed it for you. You're still as forgetful as ever. What would you do without me?"
Lilith didn't reply, but she instinctively looked at me. When she saw my blank expression, like I wasn't even listening, she let out a small sigh of relief.
Was it because I wasn't making a fuss?
Back home, I stayed quiet. Eventually, Lilith couldn't handle the tense atmosphere and tried to start a conversation.
"William, please don't be mad, okay? It was really just an accident today. I don't even know why Owen showed up like that. You didn't respond to my messages, and I didn't want to waste the food, so I let him stay for dinner."
"That i********: post was also his doing. He thought it was his phone and just wanted to post about his day—so it was all a misunderstanding."
"If you don't like it, I won't let him come over alone anymore. Is that good enough?"
Lilith probably thought she was making a big concession, but I just glanced at her indifferently.
Only someone who felt guilty would rush to explain like this.
But I didn't have the energy to argue. It was all over anyway, so there wasn't any point.
I replied dismissively, "I'm not mad, and there's nothing to misunderstand. It's just dinner. Am I really that petty? I won't get mad anymore."
"I've had a long day at work, so I'm going to bed. You should get some rest too."
My nonchalant words left Lilith feeling unsettled.
Later that night, she came into the guest bedroom where I was sleeping. Lying beside me, her voice was soft.
"William, let's just move on from all this, okay? We've come so far together—let's not fight anymore."
"You don't have to worry. From now on, I'll listen to you. Owen's only back in the country for a short while, and after he leaves, there won't be any more contact."
I just found her voice annoying.
It wasn't the first time I'd heard her say things like this. In the past, I loved her so deeply that I didn't dwell on it, so I always let things go.
But now, there was no need to let anything go.
Pretending to be tired, I turned over to put some distance between us. "We'll talk later. I'm going to sleep."
Lilith stayed by my side for a long time but said nothing more.
- Writer
