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Novel Catalog
Chapter_3
“Two days ago? Where?” I asked, the knot in my stomach tightening with unease.
Ivanna caught my change in demeanor and raised an eyebrow. “What’s with that look?” she asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and mild amusement.
“Where did you see him?” I pushed, no longer interested in small talk. My mind was racing, and I needed answers.
But just as Ivanna opened her mouth to respond, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen, put a finger to her lips, and then leaned back in her chair to answer the call. She spoke for a few moments, then suddenly straightened up, her eyes widening.
“What? I’ll be right there!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with urgency.
She immediately slammed her laptop shut, stuffing it into her bag. “I have to go. Let’s meet up again another time.”
“Wait, Ivanna—” I began, but she was already standing and heading toward the door, ignoring me completely.
I sat there, stunned.
She had said she saw Matthew two days ago, but he was supposed to be on a business trip in Canta then. So, where had she seen him? Could she have been in Canta too?
A cold fear gnawed at me as I sank deeper into my seat. My mind began to spiral, filled with flashes of the TikTok video I’d seen, but I still couldn’t be sure it was him.
Was he lying? Did he even go to Canta? Or was something else going on? Was he cheating on me?
The weight of the questions crushed me as I sat alone in the café, the warm sunlight streaming in but failing to warm my soul. My heart pounded in my chest, and I couldn’t stop the chill creeping through my body. The thought of Ava growing up in a broken family filled me with dread.
I spent the entire day in a fog, my mind too clouded to focus on anything. So much so that I forgot to pick Ava up from kindergarten.
Thankfully, Matthew returned early that day. When he realized what had happened, he quickly comforted me and rushed to pick Ava up.
By the time he left with our daughter, I was still a bundle of nerves. I tried to shake off the anxiety as I made my way to the kitchen to start cooking. But just as I was chopping vegetables, I heard the door open and glanced up to find Melanie standing there, her usual nonchalant expression on her face. She had a key to our place, and always treated it like her own.
I didn’t particularly like her having so much access, but Matthew indulged her, as he always did.
She dropped her bag on the table and walked over to me, leaning casually against the doorway. “Why are you cooking? Where’s my brother?” she asked, her tone a little condescending.
“He went to pick up Ava,” I replied coolly, still stirring the vegetables.
“It’s already late, and he’s only just picking her up now?” she said, a hint of reproach in her voice.
I could already feel the familiar irritation building inside me. Melanie was used to getting her way. She was spoiled and arrogant, and it seemed as though she believed the world revolved around her. She acted like she owned the place, and for the most part, Matthew let her get away with it.
Her attitude toward me, her sister-in-law, was unpredictable—sometimes sweet, other times icy. But over the years, I’d learned to bite my tongue. After all, she was Matthew’s sister, and I’d signed up for all of it when I married him.
“Do we have squid at home? I want calamari,” Melanie said, as if it was a normal request.
I gestured toward the fridge. “Check in there. Your brother probably bought some.”
Just then, I heard a familiar, sweet voice calling from the doorway. “Mommy, I’m back! Why did you forget to pick me up today?”
Ava ran toward me, tilting her head in concern.
I felt a sharp pang of guilt, but I smiled and pinched her little nose with my wet hands. “I was busy, baby. I promise I won’t forget you next time.”
Matthew walked in, his face lighting up when he saw us. He quickly set down Ava’s backpack, walked over to me, and wrapped his arms around me. He kissed my forehead and casually removed my apron, putting it on himself. “I’ve got this, honey. You go play with Ava.”
Melanie, standing nearby, watched them with a touch of sarcasm in her voice. “My brother is such a good husband. I want to find someone like him in the future!”
Matthew snapped, not bothering to hide his irritation. “Leave the kitchen and stop causing trouble. Wait for the meal to be ready.”
“I don’t want to. I’ll help you!” Melanie chirped, trying to squeeze into the kitchen. “I want to experience being a supportive wife!”
I rolled my eyes at her words. How could she possibly dream of finding someone like Matthew when she hadn’t done a single thing for herself? She was a lazy, entitled woman who lived off her family. Whoever married her would have no idea what they were in for.
I tried to push the frustration away as I took Ava’s hand and stepped out of the kitchen. Melanie would be out of sight, out of mind—at least, that was my hope.
But just as we were heading to the living room, my phone buzzed. I glanced down to see Ivanna’s name on the screen.