Female Novel
Chapter 19
Chapter 19 Smooth–Talker
The phone call shocked Matthew and me. His eyes narrowed, while mine grew sharper as I looked athim
and demanded, “Answer it!”
Matthew froze again.
“You will answer this call in front of me if you have any conscience left. I’ll give you one last chance!” I
stared at him, holding my still–crying daughter close.
After a while, I straightened up and continued, “I used to believe my husband would never betray me,even
in a world full of lies. You’ve let me down.”
I finally uttered the words I never wanted to face. I never expected the concept of betrayal to affect us
too. I cried as the words left my mouth. My cries mixed with Ava’s in a symphony of heartache and
brokenness.
Matthew slowly took his phone, and the ringtone was even more jarring in the tense atmosphere. Ilooked
motionless husband staring at me. Gradually, his fingers clenched into a fist as I growled through
at mynovelbin
gritted teeth, “Answer it!”
Matthew glanced at the phone and said, “I–It’s Melanie.”
“Answer it!” Regardless of who it was, I wouldn’t give him another chance to reject the call.
Although he hesitated, he saw my determination and reluctantly answered, “Mel, I’m in the middle of
something with Chloe right now. Can we talk later?”
“Oh, sure. I’ll call you tomorrow then!” It was indeed Melanie’s voice on the other end.
After hanging up the phone, Matthew looked at me innocently.
I felt lost in the face of this unexpected turn. Ava’s cries for me made it impossible to continue
confronting him, so I stood up and carried her to our room before slamming the door. 1
“C–Chlo… Chlo!”
I couldn’t hold back my tears as the door closed. I was so close to exposing Matthew, yet he twisted thesituation. I suspected Melanie must be covering for her brother. I would expect such things from hissister, especially since Melanie and I never liked each other.
At that moment, Matthew seemed like a stranger to me. He was cunning and a convincing llar, makingme shudder just thinking about it. I had shared my bed with that man for many years, but he led adouble life while I clung to my fantasies.
+15 BONUS
Matthew stood outside and called for me continuously, but I didn’t acknowledge him. I held mydaughter
close that night, and the scene of her falling haunted me. My heart ached with regret, and I couldn’tsleep
a wink.
The following morning, Matthew prepared breakfast and innocently stood outside Ava’s room as hewoke
us up.
Once I got Ava dressed and carried her out of the room, Matthew guiltily hugged us. “Chlo, please don’tbe mad. I was wrong. Please forgive me.” 3)
He pressed his face against Ava’s cheek and continued, “I feel even worse for you, little one. I’m sosorry.”
Matthew looked at Ava’s lips and gently touched them while his eyes reddened. After all, his deceptioncaused Ava’s injury.
“Chlo, please believe me. I would never betray you. Please stop overthinking things. It hurts me whenyou’re like this, so I’ve been reflecting on myself all night. Maybe I’ve been neglecting you lately, andI’m
sorry.
“How about we go on a vacation to Tarantino this weekend, just the three of us? We can visit theamusement park and then go to the spa.”
I felt conflicted, seeing him beg like this. However, I reminded myself not to believe his lies and to fightfor Ava’s justice. I collected my emotions before saying. “All right. Hurry and eat your food before you
go to work. I think what Melanie said to me last night got to me. Well… Forget it!”
I purposely brought up Melanie.
However, Matthew didn’t react to it and cheered as if I had forgiven him. Immediately after, he huggedand kissed me nonstop.
“I knew my reasonable wife would understand! Don’t lower yourself to her level! Honey, I can’t livewithout you. I couldn’t sleep last night. You can’t let your thoughts wander, okay? I love you more thananything.”
Ha! I’m so reasonable that I let him cheat on me. 2
suppressed my laugh and said, “Okay, let’s eat.”
Although Ava was young, she was preceptive. She noticed our expressions and babbled on whilehugging us. Soon after, we enjoyed our breakfast together, which was almost harmonious.
However, Ava’s swollen lips still bugged me. It was a constant reminder that the man before me hadinflicted irreparable wounds on me and my daughter. Despite that, I was already thinking of ways touncover the other woman’s identity.