After we decided to reconcile, I found an open wrapper for an ultra-thin condom in the passenger seat of Liam’s car. I silently put it away for him. I didn’t ask questions. I didn’t make a scene. Liam gave me a complicated look and voluntarily explained, "Check the box again. It’s all there. We just ran out at home, so I bought a new pack." I hummed a response, leaning back against the uncomfortable seat to feign sleep. He eventually pulled over to the side of the road, his voice turning gentle. "Let’s go buy some supplements. For New Year’s, we’ll go back to your hometown together. We should visit Mom." The tears finally broke through. I turned my body away, presenting my back to him. My mother had passed away. And he still didn't know. Chapter 1 "Hazel? Are you listening to me?" Liam’s voice dropped an octave, heavy with pressure. My voice was hoarse when I replied, "No need." There was no need to go back. Not anymore. Not ever again. He misunderstood my refusal and leaned over, peering at my face. "Are you angry? Trust me, okay? Look, count them if you want." He opened the box of condoms, dumping them out to show me. His eyes held a mix of helplessness and indulgence, as if he were dealing with a tantrum-throwing child. I wiped my tears and looked at him. "I’m really not angry." Liam leaned in and hugged me, sighing. "You say you're not angry, but you look it. Didn't you always want me to go back with you? I finally cleared my schedule for New Year’s. No business dinners. If we miss this, who knows when the next chance will be?" He stroked my back gently, just like he always did. I pushed him away, numbly nodding. "Okay. Let’s go then." Before she died, my mom kept murmuring about how busy her son-in-law was, regretting that she hadn’t seen him one last time. If Liam had the time over the holiday, going to pay respects at her grave would be good. After the divorce, I’d have no reason to ask him to go. I bought a lot of things online. Mostly paper money to burn for the dead. I was worried about inflation in the afterlife, so I planned to burn a little extra. But on New Year’s Day, Liam didn’t come home. Chapter 2 As if I had expected it, I calmly accepted the possibility that he wouldn't make the train. I called a cab and went to the station alone. It wasn't until the train started moving that he finally called. "I'm so sorry, something came up here. Can you change your ticket? We can leave tonight instead." I watched the scenery receding outside the window, swallowing my tears. "No need. I’ve already left." I didn't even bother asking for the reason. But Liam offered it anyway. "It really isn't because of Chloe. There was a sudden issue with a project we negotiated earlier. I thought I could make it. Hazel, don't be like this." I didn't know where he got the idea that I was throwing a fit. I spoke calmly. "I know you're busy. You can just come tomorrow." Waiting one more day didn't matter. It is what it is. Liam breathed a sigh of relief. "Wait for me. When I get there, I'll make Mom that lamb stew she loves. She always said I was a good cook. She probably hasn't had it in years. This time, I definitely..." "I'm tired. I want to sleep." I interrupted his fantasies, tears streaming down my face uncontrollably. I wanted to scream. Mom can't eat it anymore! Where the hell were you before? But I was tired. I didn't want to argue. We had argued so much that I was exhausted. It made me feel like I had no self-respect, begging for his attention like a stray dog. As long as he came. That was enough. As long as he came to kowtow and light incense, so my mom could see him one last time. It wouldn't be in vain that she supported him for so many years. It wouldn't be in vain that I brought him home fifteen years ago, and he ate dinner at our table every single day. But in the end, I overestimated him. Chapter 3 My uncle's face fell when he saw I had returned alone again. That evening, my aunt asked tentatively, "Are you and Liam fighting? Actually, when your mom was hospitalized, she sensed something was wrong. She just didn't mention it because she didn't want to upset you." "Hazel, you need to temper your personality a bit. Your parents are gone; you only have your husband to rely on. Having a child quickly is the most important thing right now." I listened quietly, telling her Liam would arrive tomorrow. I explained, "Business hasn't been great the last few years; he has a lot of social obligations. He wanted to come when Mom was in the hospital, too. Don't worry, we're fine." I didn't want my family to know about my plan to divorce. I didn't have the energy to deal with their mediation. But I never expected Liam to break his promise again. In the morning, he told me he was on his way to the station. My uncle killed a chicken he’d been raising for a year, and my aunt went grocery shopping at dawn. "It's good he's coming. He didn't show up for the funeral, and the villagers have been gossiping that you were abandoned. This will shut them up. You two need to visit more often." My aunt chattered away while busy in the kitchen. But after a table full of food was prepared, Liam didn't pick up a single one of my calls. "Let's eat first," I said, suppressing my emotions and looking at them apologetically. My aunt and uncle exchanged a look and nodded. "Okay, okay. Let's eat. I'll call your cousins over; we can't finish all this food anyway. They can go up the mountain with you later." My aunt busied herself getting bowls and chopsticks. The food on the table, sitting in the winter air for half an hour, had long lost its heat. I fought back tears, forcing a difficult smile. My uncle suddenly sat next to me and patted my head. "You've always had a mind of your own since you were little. Do what you want to do. If your dad were still here, he wouldn't want you to suffer like this. Uncle's house is always your house. You still have family. Don't listen to your aunt; you need to live freely." I smiled at my uncle, then got up and went to the bathroom. I came out only after I finished crying. My aunt and uncle were heating the food in the kitchen when my phone rang. It was Liam. Chapter 4 "She's hospitalized. She's in surgery. It's a matter of life and death; I can't just ignore her. Hazel, wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll come to pick you up. We can bring Mom back to the city for a few days, too." I listened to his words numbly, emotions churning in my chest. I didn't want to get angry. Mom always said, "Hazel, don't always get worked up. It's not worth it. Let's just live a peaceful life. Turn a blind eye, and decades will fly by. Look at how many complaints I had about your dad, but after he passed, I only remember the good things." But Liam was bullying me too much. "You don't need to come. I'll find you when I get back." I hung up the phone coldly. Liam called back, but I declined it. His messages started flooding in. [Don't be unreasonable. Just wait there.] [If there was anyone else who could help, she wouldn't have called me.] [She wanted to apologize to you for the last incident, but I didn't let her.] [Hazel, you know your temper. I was afraid you'd hit her again.] [Can't we just live our lives? Why do you have to throw a tantrum over small things?] [...] He sent a lot. I skimmed through a few lines. My cousins arrived, so I turned off my phone and ignored him. The meal was eaten with heavy hearts. When we went to my mother's grave, my cousins waited at a distance. I sat on the ground, looking at the photo on the tombstone, and tears just started falling. I had so much to say, but the words wouldn't come out. Before leaving, I finally told her, "I'm sorry, Mom. I lost the son-in-law you liked so much. You won't blame me, will you?" The wind picked up, brushing against my face like a gentle touch. I held back my tears and walked down the mountain without looking back.
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "388272", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel