Chapter 23
I yawned as I followed Liam to the staircase. Suddenly, I saw a figure dressed
in white downstairs.
It was Ring with the usual smile on her face.
She folded her hands and rested them on her abdomen, looking friendly and
courteous like a hotel receptionist.
Right, I thought Liam wanted to go to Rina’s house. Do they intend to make
out in front of me because it’s more exciting that way?
While I stood there lost in thought, Liam had already taken a few steps down
the stairs. I quickly followed him without giving it a second thought.
I wanted to hug his arm, but before I could reach out, I missed a step.
Oh no! I thought. The only thing I could do was close my eyes and brace for
impact.
Chapter 23 Plenty
An arm reached out and hugged my waist.
I fell into Liam’s embrace. When I opened my eyes, he whispered in my ear,
“That was a pretty good act.”
He did not look like he was going to get angry, so I did not retort.
I did not care if he thought I was acting, as long as Rina did not think so.
Rina was still smiling sweetly as Liam walked down the stairs with my waist in
his arm. “We’re here for dinner, Vivi dear.”
“Welcome,” I smiled and returned the greeting, though I could see the
jealousy and hatred in her eyes. “What would you like for dinner? I’ll make it
for you in the kitchen. My husband’s guests are my guests too.”
Rina narrowed her gaze and tilted her head. “I’ve already handed it to the
kitchen. The fish that we caught earlier in the afternoon, that is. We wanted to
grill the fish at my house, but Liam said…”
Chapter 23 Pretty Good Act
She turned her head to gaze at Liam lovingly before continuing, “Liam said
3/9
that your grilled fish is delicious, and he wants you to make that dish for me.”
I said, “I’m sorry, I don’t know how to make grilled fish…”
“Go and make it.” Liam suddenly let go of me.
I turned my head to look at him. He glared at me and said, “Don’t make a fool
of yourself again.”
Again?
It seemed he knew that I slapped Rina.
Rina tried to cover the slap marks with makeup, but I could still see a faint red
mark near her eye.
Talking any more would serve me no good, so I said, “Excuse me.”
My best dish was indeed grilled fish. I made it once for Liam.
Chapter 23 Pretty Good Act
That happened on his birthday not long after we were married, I spent the
4/9
whole afternoon cooking dinner to show that I was a capable housewife, and
at the same time, I wanted to find an opportunity to chat with him.
He ate a mouthful before he threw away his fork and left the house.
I drove after him and saw his car parked outside a fast-food restaurant
nearby. The driver went out of the car and bought a burger.
At that moment, I felt like I was just like the clown statue at the entrance.
Since then, I stopped cooking in the kitchen. I did not want my effort to be
wasted as someone else’s entertainment.
Of course, I was not going to cook today either.
I left the fish with the chef before going to the greenhouse in the back garden
and sitting on the swing.
The sky was completely dark, and snow was falling.
Chapter 23 Pretty Good Act
The melatonin was acting up again, and I could not help but close my eyes.
Some time passed before I felt a tap on my shoulder.
I shuddered and opened my eyes, and I saw Rina slowly sitting down on the
sofa next to me. She was still smiling.
I massaged the bridge of my nose, sat up straight, and asked her
impatiently, “Can I help you, Ms. Olsen?”
“I thought you’d be in the kitchen grilling fish for me, Vivi dear. Why are you
loafing around? Are you feeling unwell?” Rina asked.
That plastic smile was beginning to irk me. “Thank you for your concern. I’m
feeling a little sleepy.”
“Sleepy?” Rina deliberately raised her crescent eyebrows. “But it’s only eight
o’clock! Don’t tell me you have some illness, Vivi dear?”
“If I’m ill, there aren’t any other symptoms.” I wanted to perk up, but I yawned.
5/9
Chapter 23 Pretty Good Act
“I’m probably pregnant. After all, I’m married.”
Rina was still smiling, but I thought her smile stiffened a little.
That lasted for a few seconds until she covered her lips with her hand and
chuckled. “You must be joking, Vivi dear. Liam said he doesn’t even want to
touch you.”
Liam told her that! My heart sank.
I was not good at hiding my feelings. If Rina were a good reader of character,
she would have noticed the change in my expression.
Very obviously, she relaxed and leaned back on the sofa. “It’s no different
from being a widow, isn’t it?” she said with a cunning smile.
“It’s embarrassing, but I guess I’ll have to show you this,” I said as I brushed
my hair aside and stretched my collar.
The smile froze on Rina’s face. She stared at the back of my neck without
saying a word.
“I told him not to be so violent. I can’t cover all the hickeys with makeup.” I
straightened my hair and collar again and said, “He told me that’s how her
stakes his claim on my body. What should I do about him? It’s embarrassing,
you know.”
I learned that from Anna. When she confronted her husband’s mistress last
year, she said the exact same words.
The only difference was that she asked me to pinch her neck to make those
hickey marks.
Rina came to her senses after a few seconds. The innocent smile returned to
her face again, and she said coquettishly, “Aww, don’t be angry. We’re only
chatting, right? Your face is already pale.”
I picked up my cup and sipped from it.
I was not angry. After all, the woman with the peacock tattoo would “make
Chapter 23 Pretty Good Acl
out” with Liam whenever she came over. Rina’s taunts were nothing
compared to that.
Suddenly, Rina leaned forward and deliberately spoke in a low voice, “Let’s cut
to the chase, Vivi dear. The bottle of pills in your handbag is cancer
medication, right?”
“You searched my handbag, Ms. Olsen,” I said.
“I thought I wanted to know you better, Vivi dear.” Rina tilted her head and
smirked. “I called my family doctor to confirm it. He said that it’s for serious
cases.”
I remained silent.
I did not want Ring to know I was ill. That would give her a boost of
confidence.
As much as I wanted to divorce Liam, the thought that Rina would replace
me utterly disgusted me.
Chapter 23 Pretly Good Act
“It’s a tragedy you’re pregnant with a terminal illness.” Rina beamed as
though she had won. “The medication will surely affect the baby. Even if the
baby survives, they’ll suffer under their stepmother.”
I nodded. “I see. I was wondering why you’re so crass. I suppose you’ve
suffered a lot under your stepmother.”
Rina’s eyes widened, and her face turned pale.
“I’m sorry if my words are harsh,” I said, “But that’s because you haven’t had
any decency to show me any manners. Now if you’d excuse me.”
