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He joked, "Haven't seen Nora around lately."
"David, you hiding her away?"
My brother-in-law, David, scowled. "She loves these disappearing acts. Probably cooked it up with Anna so we'd chase after them."
The colleague hesitated.
"You still blame her for that? She must have had reasons. You know Nora. She'd never ignore someone in trouble."
David lowered his head, voice icy.
"My mother's still in the hospital. How can I forgive her?"
I knew about this.
Back during the earthquake, my mother-in-law had been trapped.
Nora was sent for disaster relief for seven days. She saved a child near her first, delaying rescuing my mother-in-law, who ended up in the ICU.
But Nora also lost her own baby in that rescue, leaving her infertile.
Leaving the station, David glanced back.
He remembered the bodies in the morgue.
He told my husband, "Michael, sometimes I wish she was lying there. At least then she wouldn't keep showing up, making me relive that pain over and over."
I could barely contain my fury.
Trembling with rage.
But she was right there—on the table he had examined.
If you'd examined her just a little more carefully...
You'd have realized the wife you despised was on your table.
She'll never bother you again. Because you'll never see her again.
...
Halfway home, my husband's phone rang.
Chloe's tearful voice came through.
"Michael? Are you free now?"
"Can I bring the kitten to stay with you for a bit? My building won't let me keep her."
Chloe's rescued stray had scratched someone, getting her evicted.
I thought my husband might hesitate.
He agreed instantly. David chimed in soothingly.
"Chloe, don't worry. We're here. You and the kitten won't be homeless. You can stay with us."
Chloe's voice turned sugary sweet.
"David, you're the best!"
After hanging up, my husband turned the car around, heading straight to the vet clinic.
I hadn't imagined a simple call could worry them so much.
A bitter laugh escaped me. Love and indifference were indeed worlds apart.
At the clinic, Chloe hugged the kitten, tearfully examining its scratched leg.
"I wish it was me hurt, not her."
David looked heartbroken.
"Chloe, you're still so kind."
"There aren't many women like you left."
The brothers helped Chloe move her things. She moved right into my home.
After setting up the cat tree together,
David left for the hospital, leaving my husband and Chloe alone.
What was once my cozy home now felt charged with Chloe's presence.
My husband held the kitten on the balcony, a rare smile on his face.
Chloe emerged from the shower: "Michael, where's your wife?"
His smile faded. He picked up a towel and started drying her hair.
"She moved out. We don't live together."
Chloe nodded, pretending to understand.
Then she happily explored my home until she saw a painstakingly repaired framed photo.
She reached for it. "What happened to this picture?"
My husband looked up, saw the photo I'd pieced together,
For a second, surprise flickered in his eyes.
He had smashed that photo.
I'd gathered every shard, cutting my hands on the glass countless times.
He reached for it.
Chloe suddenly let go. The frame shattered on the floor.
She gasped, feigning apology.
"Michael, I'm so sorry..."
He stared at the broken glass. Frustration flared. He pushed her away roughly.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
Chloe looked wounded. "Michael! You yelled at me over a photo? Do you still love Anna Miller?!"
My husband, crouching to pick up the photo, froze.
Confusion flashed in his eyes.
Then he remembered something, his brow furrowing as he snapped back.
"Don't be ridiculous. The only thing I feel for her is disgust."
Chloe wrapped her arms around him from behind.
"I knew you hated her."
"Don't worry, even if the whole world abandons you, I'll be here. With you forever!"
