Chapter 2

Before I could respond, he casually informed me, "Oh right, I forgot to tell you. Vivi's family went bankrupt, and their enemies are coming after her for debts. "She's just a young woman. I don't feel safe leaving her alone out there, so she'll be staying with us for now." The "young woman" peeked out from behind him with a grin and stuck her tongue out at me. "Hi, Stella." She was wearing Herbert's pajamas, and even the slippers on her feet were from the matching couple's set I had bought him. I looked at Herbert with a mocking gaze. He instinctively tried to explain, "Vivi forgot to bring her pajamas, so I just grabbed something for her to wear." Vivian put on a sweet and innocent expression. "Stella, you don't mind, right? Herbie and I grew up together. When we were kids, we were so close that we were literally joined at the hip." Herbert scolded her, but his tone was full of doting affection. "Vivi!" Vivian pouted and pinched his waist. "Hmph! Stella, look at him! He totally forgot his childhood bestie after getting married!" "Vivi, stop fooling around. Stella is right here," he said, halfheartedly. Watching them bicker and flirt so intimately made my stomach churn. I rushed to the bathroom, overwhelmed by nausea, and vomited violently. Then, I saw it. Five to six used condom wrappers in the trash can. I could only imagine how intense last night had been between them. I clenched my palms until they started to hurt, and my eyes welling with tears. Herbert came after me and patted my back. "Morning sickness again? I'll get you some dried plums..." But as he turned, his expression faltered, and he said awkwardly, "Oh... we're out of dried plums. I'll get you something else, okay?" How could there be none? He knew my pregnancy nausea was severe, so we always had dried plums at home. Vivian pointed at the trash can while saying with a sweet voice, "Sorry, Stella. I was craving something sour, so Herbie gave them all to me. You know I'm different from delicate women like one. I can down the whole bag in just one bite." She then glared pitifully at Herbert. "Herbie, seriously? You knew Stella had morning sickness, and you still gave me all the dried plums?" She reached out and took my hand, even squeezing out a couple of tears. "Stella, it's all my fault. I'm just too greedy..." I flung her hand away. Herbert's expression instantly darkened. "What's with your attitude? It's just some dried plums. I paid for your food, your clothes. Everything. What right do you have to give Vivi that kind of attitude?" My chest tightened. The pain after the procedure had flared up again. It was so intense I could barely breathe. He left a pregnant woman like me on the highway without a word of concern. Now, he was furious just because I shook off Vivian's hand. Herbert realized he might have gone too far, so he softened his tone slightly and offered me a way out, "Fine. You're pregnant, so I won't hold it against you. Just apologize to Vivi, and we'll move on." "Why should I?" I said. Why should I apologize to her for eating my dried plums? I choked out the question, heart heavy like it was stuffed with wet cotton, heavy and suffocating. Herbert said righteously, "Because you're older and supposed to be mature. You should know how to forgive someone. Unlike Vivi, she's sensitive and can't handle being wronged." Then, despite Herbert knowing that I was claustrophobic, he locked me in the bathroom. "If you won't apologize, then you're sleeping in there tonight. Apologize to Vivi, and I'll let you out." Vivian hesitated. "But... locking Stella in the bathroom isn't right, is it?" "Don't worry about her," he said coldly. "Pregnant old women are just petty. She needs to be taught a lesson." Suddenly, the bathroom light began flickering and then went out completely. Trapped in the dark, confined space, I slammed against the door, crying and begging. "Herbert, I was wrong... I know I was wrong... please, I'm begging you... let me out..."