Chapter 5

Mrs. Carter paused, and then her tone got even tougher. "So what? It's not like you can't spare the money. Celia and James grew up together. Her family and we used to be close. She's really struggling right now. Shouldn't James help her out?"

"Should he?" I asked.

"Yeah. Isn't it normal for a guy to help out his childhood friend?" Mrs. Carter shot back.

I stayed quiet for a few seconds and then asked, "So it's also normal for James to go with Celia to her prenatal checkups?"

The line went dead silent.

After a couple of seconds, Mrs. Carter said flatly, "He went with her since it was on his way."

Suddenly, it all made sense.

It wasn't just James who thought I was being dramatic.

His mother also expected me to just suck it up and be the understanding one.

I didn't argue anymore. I just said, "Mrs. Carter, if you feel bad for Celia, go take care of her yourself. Don't use James as your charity project."

I hung up right after saying that.

*****

That night, James came home early, which was rare. He even brought a bouquet of flowers.

They were white roses.

I used to love those.

He set the flowers on the table. His tone sounded like he was handing me a peace offering. "Olivia, I was out of line yesterday. My bad. Can you stop making a fuss?"

I was going over the baby room checklist. Without even looking up, I said, "I'm not making a fuss."

"Then why are you giving me that look?" he asked.

I finally looked up. "James, are you here to apologize, or to give me a lesson on how I should act?"

He was momentarily speechless, tugging at his tie like he was trying to hold back his temper.

"I already told you, my help to Celia is just temporary. Once she gives birth, things will settle down," he said.

"And what does her giving birth have to do with you?" I shot back.

"I told you, she's having a hard time on her own," he said.

"There are tons of pregnant women out there struggling alone. Why aren't you helping them?" I shot back.

James's face darkened. "Can you stop twisting everything? Celia and I have known each other for over twenty years. If there was really something between us, you wouldn't even be in the picture."

His words left me stunned. I just stood there.

After a long moment, I let out a slow, bitter laugh.

"So what you're saying is, she's your untouchable dream girl, the one you keep on a pedestal, and I'm just the woman you happened to marry?" I said.

James finally lost his patience. "Olivia, you're being really mean."

"You pushed me to this," I shot back.

"What did I ever do to you? You don't have to worry about a thing. I'm busting my ass at work all day, and when I get home, I still have to put up with your mood. Isn't that enough for you?" he snapped.

I just looked at him quietly.

When you're truly disappointed, you just stop arguing.

"James, I'm going to ask you one last time," I said, putting down the checklist. "From now on, stay away from Celia. And I want a full account of every dollar you spend on her, not a single cent missing. Can you do that?"

He stared at me, silent for a long moment.

The answer was already obvious.

But he still said, "I can't leave Celia to fend for herself."

I nodded. "Got it."

He frowned, clearly suspicious. "Now what are you up to?"

I didn't answer. I just picked up the flowers from the table and tossed them straight into the dustbin.

The white roses hit the side of the bin, petals scattered everywhere.

James's face turned livid. "Are you crazy?"

"I'm not crazy," I said, locking eyes with him, each word clear and steady. "I'm finally done with you."

After that night, I finally started to see James for what he really was.

The clearer I saw, the more ridiculous he seemed to be.