Chapter 4

I didn’t catch the rest, only a sharp cry. Before I could call back, her phone was switched off. I spent two weeks wrapping up urgent work in the capital, leaving my deputy manager in charge, and returned to the countryside to be with Blair. “Honey, perfect timing! Becky has a boyfriend! Come meet him!” Entering the house, I saw a very thin man sitting beside Becky. He looked scholarly, wore glasses, and was reportedly a supervisor at a local factory. Strangely, my first instinct was that he disliked me. Probably because I reeked of city money. Becky, who’d been protesting vehemently just weeks ago, seemed to have accepted her fate. I wasn’t particularly interested, but I couldn’t help noticing bruises on her neck and arms. Her demeanor was also more timid and withdrawn than before. Seeing me, she actively avoided eye contact. Had she truly reformed, afraid her boyfriend might misunderstand? That night, while helping Blair get ready for bed, I cautiously asked, “I heard Becky’s boyfriend is your classmate? From junior high?” “Yes, why?” “No reason. Just noticed she has some bruises. Someone might think her boyfriend is unreliable, abusing her.” Blair paused while scrolling on her phone. “That’s just their private fun. Why do you care?” I didn’t press further, but I had a nagging feeling I’d missed something crucial during those two weeks. Blair’s belly grew. The household was also preparing for a happy event: Becky and her boyfriend were getting engaged! The night before I returned for the engagement party, however, I overheard Blair and Becky arguing. “You plan to keep hiding this from him forever?!” “My business is none of yours! Just focus on getting married!” Hiding from whom? I couldn’t hear more before Dick suddenly barged in. “Blair, shouldn’t you be asleep? The baby needs rest.” As he spoke, Dick reached out and stroked my wife’s hair. Instantly, I felt a surge of anger. But since I was eavesdropping, I couldn’t confront them. Becky, meanwhile, seemed indifferent, as if this marriage was merely an obligation she had to fulfill. A chilling thought struck me. The engagement day arrived. Blair woke very early and dressed meticulously. Dick and Becky, however, wore simple clothes. A rural engagement party meant inviting friends and neighbors for a big barbecue, hiring a local band and an MC. It was livelier than city events. Mrs. Lee handed out favors amidst a chorus of congratulations. Suddenly, Becky’s piercing scream silenced the entire hall. “I DON’T WANT TO MARRY DICK! MY SISTER BLAIR IS FORCING ME!” “SHE’S BEEN SLEEPING WITH DICK ALL ALONG! SHE SET HIM ON ME TO KEEP ME QUIET!” The room froze, everyone staring at Becky in shock. I slammed the table. “What nonsense are you spouting?!” “IT’S THE TRUTH! I RECORDED THEM MEETING BEFORE, BUT SHE MADE ME DELETE THE VIDEO!” “IF MOM HADN’T INTERVENED BACK THEN, THEY WOULD HAVE MARRIED YEARS AGO!” The guests were all gossipy friends and neighbors. The scene instantly turned into a feeding frenzy for scandal. No one intervened; everyone watched eagerly. Whispers spread like wildfire. “Come to think of it, those two were an item once…” “Yeah, but didn’t the guy do time…?” “Maybe they rekindled it…” “ENOUGH! BECKY! YOU’VE CROSSED THE LINE!” Blair also slammed the table, pointing furiously at Becky. “I know you resent me, but this slander is unacceptable!” “Dick and I are ancient history! I introduced him to you because he’s decent! Instead of gratitude, you try to steal your own brother-in-law!” As Blair spoke, several video clips suddenly appeared on a projector screen. The footage showed Becky peeping at me in the courtyard, cornering me while I washed, dragging me to reject the heavyset suitor, and even trying to drug me with incense to force herself on me… Every incident was laid bare. I was stunned. Blair had known about the seduction attempts all along and had secretly recorded everything!