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He stopped visiting the hospital so often.
When I got home from work,I found a table full of food he’d cooked—a first.
It reminded me of our early marriage.
Back then,Ethan worked harder but snuck tasks during lunch to come home early and cook for me.
I’d tell him to order takeout,but he’d still make me gourmet meals.
As we got wealthier,we hired a maid,and Ethan rarely ate at home.
Staring at the food,I had no appetite.
I looked at him calmly.“Ethan,when are you signing the divorce papers?”
Since catching him with Lily,the thought of our names tied together disgusted me.
He brushed it off.“No rush.”
His stalling wore me down.
I laid it out.“Sign,or I’ll spill everything you and Lily did in the hospital.”
His smile froze,disbelief on his face.
When he didn’t speak,I pressed,“Rainy day,public restroom.Need more?”
“Enough!”he barked.“I’ll sign.Don’t regret this,Maggie.”
He scrawled his name without reading.
Relief hit me.
Suddenly hungry,I picked up a piece of ribs.“Too greasy,like you.”
A bean sprout.“Too small,like you.”
Tofu.“Too soft,like you.”
I set down my chopsticks.“Poor Lily,having to fake it with you.”
His pride stung,he stormed out.
The next morning,Ethan’s mom called.
She didn’t know we’d divorced.
Out of respect for her illness,I hadn’t told her.
“Maggie,can you come to the hospital?Lily’s gone,and no one’s here to help me.”
Ethan’s mess shouldn’t hurt her.
I took a cab to the hospital.
She lit up when I arrived.“Maggie,thank God.I was going crazy.”
She needed the bathroom but was too embarrassed to ask a stranger.
“Where’s Lily?I paid for a month—she’s not done,right?”
She hesitated,mumbling.
Just then,Lily sashayed in—curled hair,full makeup,dressed like a socialite,flashing a massive diamond ring.
“Lily,how could you leave an elderly woman alone to go party?”I snapped,recalling my mother-in-law’s distress.
Lily smirked,tossing her hair,and turned to my mother-in-law.“Who’s this,Mom?Why’s she lecturing us?I stepped out for a bit.You could’ve called.Why bring an outsider?”
