Chapter 3
I kept quiet and just smiled.
One day, I met up with a few friends. While we were chatting, I made it look like I was absentmindedly touching my face.
"What happened to your face? Did someone hit you or something?" one of them blurted out.
"Was it Professor Schultz?" another chimed in.
I managed to squeeze out a few tears at just the right moment.
"He said he was cursed by some ancient stone tablet and that he'd slowly turn into a woman. I didn't believe him, so he hit me," I said.
"What? No way, that's crazy!" one of them exclaimed.
"Maybe he just wants to be a woman and is making up the curse to trick you!" another joked.
I kept dabbing at my tears.
"Remember that woman, Wanda Noble? Her husband took off with a ton of her money. Then he went to Petands and got a sex change surgery, saying he was off to find true love!" one of them said.
"Seriously, what's with people these days!" another chimed in.
"Girl, you better watch out!" someone warned.
When I got home, I saw a beautifully wrapped cake on the table.
"Honey, I went out of my way to get this for you today. It's from that place you love," Adrian said.
For a moment, it felt like he was the man I married all over again.
"You've been working so hard lately. Here, have something sweet," he said.
He gave me a gentle smile.
I didn't say anything else. I just said I was tired and headed straight for my room.
Adrian just stood there, baffled, not sure why I was suddenly so distant.
After that, he kept trying to get back in my good graces, sometimes he'd show up with flowers, other times with my favorite treats.
But I would always thank him with an indifferent attitude.
"I know you're upset with me, but have I ever treated you badly?" Adrian said.
Adrian kept his cool and patiently tried to comfort me.
"You're still my wife. We're building our future together, and Serena's in charge of delivering a baby. Isn't that perfect?" he said.
"That's your kid, not mine," I said, my voice steady and cold.
"Do we really have to split things up like that?" Adrian replied.
"So, does that mean I get to bring another guy home too?" I shot back, meeting his eyes.
Adrian jumped to his feet, anger flashing in his eyes. "You're a woman. How could you ever get away with what I do?
"Haven't I done enough for you? What more do you want from me?"
Just then, Serena came downstairs and asked Adrian to go shopping for baby stuff with her.
"Do you want to come along?" Serena asked.
"No, thanks," I replied.
Adrian glanced at me, then supported Serena as they left together.
When I was pregnant, I had to buy everything myself. Adrian just said he was busy and left me to handle it all alone.
I just smiled to myself as I watched them leave, not saying anything.
Before long, the whole city was buzzing with rumors about Adrian being cursed to turn into a woman, even Adrian couldn't avoid hearing about it.
When he got home, he stormed in and shattered several glasses in a fit of rage.
"Who the hell is out there spreading this crap? If I catch them, they're dead meat!" Adrian yelled.
I poured him a glass of water and tried to help him cool off.
He gave me a suspicious glare. "Was it you?"
"You think it was me?" I looked at him and feigned the look of being hurt.
"What good would it do me to tell people that?" I asked.
"Adrian, relax, your wife would never say something like that!" Serena jumped in, trying to smooth things over.
Serena had been treated quite well lately, and she was even sticking up for me at that moment.
"But honestly, Adrian, what's up with you these days? Why are you so on edge?" Serena asked.
"Really?" Adrian looked surprised, then glanced at himself in the mirror.
"Feels like my beard's been growing a lot slower lately, and my skin's getting way smoother," he muttered.
Serena said with a smile, "Isn't that a good thing?
"We women would kill for smooth skin!"
"I'm a man. What do I need smooth skin for? Forget it, let's just eat," Adrian snapped.
Over the next few days, Adrian got more and more on edge. Every time he came home, he'd complain about feeling like everyone was gossiping about him or messing with him.
He snapped, "They all stare at me like I'm some kind of freak.
"Is there something wrong with those tonics you've been making for me? From now on, I'm not taking any more of that stuff."
I quickly tried to calm him down, keeping my voice soft, "Maybe that herbal stuff was just too much for you. If you don't want it anymore, just skip it."
I swapped out all his clothes for styles that were fitted at the waist and made his hips stand out, and even bought his shirts a size smaller so they'd fit snugly across his chest.
"Why do my clothes feel tighter all of a sudden?" Adrian frowned at the mirror and asked.
"Maybe it's because you've been taking better care of yourself lately," I replied.
Even his face seemed to have gotten smaller. He wasn't just handsome anymore. There was something delicate and almost alluring about his features now.
A few days later, Adrian came home looking all messed up.
"The department head called me into his office today, and he actually grabbed my butt!" Adrian blurted out, his voice shaking with a mix of shock and outrage.
"What? How could that happen? You should go report them to the dean!" I said, indignation clear in my voice.
"He's not the only one. There are others who've done the same!" Adrian shot back.
He started holing up at home, barely stepping outside for days. Later, I talked him into going to a business party in a couple of days.
"There'll be a ton of business heavyweights there. Who knows, maybe someone will want to fund your archaeology work," I said.
Adrian mulled it over, then nodded and agreed to come with me.
I went out of my way to make sure he looked absolutely flawless for the event.
"Mr. Smart, this is my husband, Adrian. Nice to meet you," I said.