Chapter 4: Who Is She?
1526 Words
The silence from the other end of the line made Samantha realize she might have gone too far. She softened her tone and said, "It's not such a big deal. Just turn a blind eye to it. Why make a fuss? You'll only hurt yourself in the end."
Ellie let out a cold laugh. "I just have one question: who is that woman?"
"I don't know who she is," Samantha replied. "I heard about it from other teachers at school. They mentioned seeing them together while out shopping or something."
Ellie's heart grew colder with every word. So, everyone knew, and they all saw her as a fool. She thought back to the day she went to Sean's school to find him—what must his colleagues have thought of her? Her grip tightened on the steering wheel, her nails digging into the leather.
Samantha sensed Ellie's silence and continued, "You know, in these situations, it's best to see and not speak. Everyone understands the unspoken rule. If we talk about it, it only leads to more discord."
"So, you were perfectly content to laugh at me along with everyone else?" Ellie's voice was sharp, filled with betrayal. She had considered Samantha her confidant, her best friend, only to be treated as a joke.
"You're too emotional right now to listen to reason. Calm down first," Samantha said before hanging up.
Ellie gripped her phone tightly, her mind flooded with images of Sean's false affections, her in-laws' deceitful words, and Samantha's treacherous smile. They all treated her like a fool! She was determined to end this marriage.
When it was time to leave work, Ellie pushed all her emotions aside and returned home calmly. Sean had already prepared dinner and was waiting for her, even greeting her with a smile, "You're back? Wash up and eat. Anna and I have been waiting for you."
He acted as if nothing had happened. But now, all Ellie felt was revulsion. How could he betray her and still show such concern? Her composed face twisted with anger.
Just as she was about to speak, her daughter called out, "Mom, I'm hungry. Let's eat."
Seeing her seven-year-old daughter looking at her innocently, Ellie snapped back to reality. She had experienced a broken family herself, and the shadow of that experience loomed over her. Over the years, she and Sean had always maintained harmony in front of their child.
Even now, she didn't want her daughter to witness anything ugly. Forcing a smile, she said, "Alright, Mommy will wash her hands, and then we’ll eat."
Dinner proceeded as usual, with Sean serving her food and asking about their daughter's school day. His natural demeanor left Ellie in a daze, wondering if she was dreaming.
That night, while telling her daughter a bedtime story, Anna suddenly asked, "Mommy, can you and Daddy take me to school tomorrow?"
Ellie was taken aback. "Why, honey?"
"It's always Daddy who picks me up and drops me off. My classmates say they've never seen you and that I don't have a mommy," Anna said, her voice filled with hurt.
Ellie felt a pang of guilt. She had been so consumed with work that she had neglected her daughter. If Anna, at her age, felt this way, could Sean have strayed because of her neglect as well?
After Anna fell asleep, Ellie sat quietly for a long time before finally getting up. Sean was already in their room, waiting for her. When she entered, he immediately got up and walked towards her. Before he could speak, Ellie said, "We need to talk."
"Sure, what about?" Sean asked, smiling.
Ellie had planned to lay everything out calmly. She had spent a long time reflecting on how her dedication to her business might have caused her to neglect her family. But seeing Sean's expression shattered her composure.
"Sean, isn't this getting old?" she asked.
"What are you talking about?" he replied, still smiling.
"I don't believe for a second that Samantha didn't tell you," Ellie said bitterly. It was laughable how her best friend had sided with him from the beginning.
Sean's smile faltered. "Honey, I know you've been under a lot of stress lately, but can you stop imagining things? How could I ever do something to hurt you?"
Ellie couldn't believe he was still denying it. Furious, she said, "Sean, how long are you going to keep up this facade? I heard everything you and your mom said today. Are you still going to deny it? Who is she?"
This time, Sean didn't speak. He seemed stunned that Ellie had overheard his conversation with his mother.
For the first time, panic crossed Sean's face. He grabbed Ellie's hand, pleading, "Honey, it was a moment of foolishness. Please forgive me."
"How long have you been with her?" Ellie demanded.
"Not long, I swear. Ellie, please, give me another chance," Sean implored. "Think about all the years we've been together, think about Anna, think about Mom and Dad."
"Ellie, I love you," Sean's voice choked with emotion.
Ellie was in turmoil too. Over a decade of feelings weren't something one could just forget. She had always considered Sean her other half, never expecting such betrayal.
"If you truly loved me and our family, you wouldn't have done this," she said angrily, yanking her hand away from Sean's grasp. "When you were with that woman, did you ever think about us?"
"I was wrong, Ellie. I know I was wrong," Sean said, looking at her with desperation. "I won't see her again, I promise. Please, Ellie, forgive me."
Ellie remained silent, staring at the man who had once brought her so much warmth, now seeming like a complete stranger. She couldn't tell if his words were sincere or just another lie.
The next day, Ellie and Sean took their daughter to school together. Anna was brimming with excitement the entire way. Seeing her daughter's innocent, happy face, Ellie felt both guilt and sorrow. If Anna knew they were getting divorced, how much would it hurt her?
"Mom, I'm so happy. Can you and Dad take me to school together more often?" Anna asked with hopeful eyes.
Ellie forced a stiff nod. "Sure."
"Great! We're the happiest family ever," Anna exclaimed, kissing both her parents' cheeks before running into the school like a little bee.
Watching her daughter's cheerful figure disappear, Ellie felt her heart grow heavier. "Ellie, please give me another chance. I don't want our family to fall apart like this," Sean's voice pleaded in her ear. Ellie remained silent for a long time.
The following days were calm. Apart from Sean bringing her lunch and a bouquet of roses every day, everything seemed unchanged.
"Ms. Su, your husband is so sweet," a colleague remarked enviously.
Ellie forced a smile. She had once thought the same.
Sean's parents had also visited, expressing their apologies and asking her to give Sean another chance. Her daughter’s welfare also weighed heavily on her mind. To say she wasn't swayed would be a lie.
She reflected on herself too; she had spent too much time on work and not enough on her family. Marital problems usually involved both parties, not just one.
Sean had his faults, but so did she.
With this realization, Ellie decided to give Sean another chance. After work, she went home early and even stopped by the market to buy groceries. For years, Sean had done the cooking. Today, she wanted to try it herself.
Arriving home, she noticed Sean's car was already there, but he was nowhere to be seen inside. She thought for a moment, then headed to the basement. Quietly, she opened the door and saw Sean leaning back in a chair, talking on the phone.
"I miss you too, but I can't see you now. My wife found out," Sean said. "Be good and wait for me, okay? Once this blows over, I'll make it up to you."
"Don't worry, she's so gullible. She believes whatever I say. Her attitude has improved these past few days," he continued. "Divorce? Not now. I just bought a big insurance policy on her. If we divorce now, it'll be a waste. Making a move now would be too obvious."
Ellie couldn't listen any longer. Her whole body felt cold. This was her husband, the man she had once believed was her warmth. It turned out he wanted not just her money, but her life.
At that moment, she realized just how foolish she had been. A man's heart can be far more ruthless than a woman's.
When Sean came upstairs, he found Ellie in the kitchen, uncharacteristically busy. He was taken aback and asked cautiously, "Honey, when did you get home?"
"Just now. You're home too?" Ellie replied nonchalantly, chopping ribs with vigorous strokes.
Watching her chop with such force made Sean inexplicably nervous. "The school called. I need to go out for a bit. I'll be back soon."
"Alright, come back early for dinner," Ellie said coolly.
"Okay, I'll be back soon." Sean kissed the top of her head, not noticing how tightly she gripped the knife.
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