Chapter 3
I decided to make some chicken soup.
I headed to the market, which was about a mile away.
On my way back, I suddenly remembered the comments saying I might be pregnant, so I picked up two pregnancy tests.
By the time I got home, an hour had already passed.
As soon as I opened the door, I saw Connor sitting in his wheelchair.
He kept staring at the door, looking totally defeated and downcast, like a big dog left behind by its owner.
He looked absolutely miserable.
When he saw me, his expression stayed the same, but his eyes clearly brightened for a second.
Then, acting clueless, he asked, "Did you go grocery shopping?"
I replied softly, "I bought a chicken. Is it okay if I make some soup?"
Connor nodded. "Yeah."
I carried the groceries into the kitchen, leaving Connor still sitting there, lost in thought.
After about two minutes, Connor rolled up to the kitchen doorway and asked, "Anything I can do to help?"
I knew he was worried I'd see him as a burden, so I said, "I don't need help in here. If you're free, could you hang up the laundry from the washer?"
"Okay," Connor replied.
He wheeled himself out to the balcony off the living room.
About ten minutes later, he rolled back to the kitchen doorway. "Laundry's all hung up. I also washed the socks. Anything else you need me to do?"
I set down the spoon I was using to skim the foam from the soup, turned around, and looked at him with a serious face.
"The kitchen's too cramped for two people. If you're bored, go do your rehab exercises. If you get hungry, you can eat more at dinner," I said.
I paused for a second. With my hands on my hips, I said in a mock fierce tone, "You'd better eat at least two plates of food tonight, or I'll beat you up!"
Connor paused for a moment. A barely noticeable smile tugged at his lips. "Okay."
I shot back, "Then get going!"
"Okay," Connor replied.
Connor wheeled himself into the study, leaving the door open this time.
He was extra loud about it, like he was afraid I wouldn't notice.
I couldn't help but laugh.
He kept talking about breaking up, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
He acted like he didn't care, but his actions betrayed him.
At dinner, Connor polished off three plates of food.
After dinner, I washed the dishes while he cleaned up the living room.
Once everything was done, I took him out for a walk, like every night.
Ever since the accident, he'd been pretty low, but lately, he was finally starting to bounce back.
We wandered around outside for about an hour before heading home.
I helped Connor with his shower first, then took care of my own.
While I was showering, I figured I'd use the pregnancy test too.
Sadly, both tests only showed a single line.
After my latest period ended, I slept with Connor the day before I left for my business trip.
It had only been five days. The baby was not conceived yet, so it made sense that the test didn't show anything yet.
I decided to wait a few days and try again.
Once we were in bed, I instinctively curled up in his arms.
As I was about to drift off, Connor suddenly spoke up. "Maybe someone sneaked in while I was asleep. I ordered a spy cam online, and tomorrow I'll reset the smart lock code."
I hadn't expected Connor to think of that.
Whether he really believed it or not, at least we could finally put this behind us.
I whispered, feeling a bit hurt, "Honestly, I've been meaning to tell you. I keep feeling like someone's been sneaking in."
Connor hugged me tightly. "I'm sorry, baby. I shouldn't have said those things."
My eyes welled up with tears, and I pressed my face against his chest, quietly crying.
*****
[How come Connor and Vanessa are back together again?]
[Connor is at his weakest right now, so he's leaning on Vanessa like she's his lifeline. It's normal for them to make up for now, but they're definitely not totally over it.]
[Looks like Saniyah needs to work harder, or splitting up Connor and Vanessa is gonna be tough.]
[Is stealing someone else's guy really something to be proud of?]
[If you can't deal, stop watching. No need to keep fishing for attention #speechless]
*****
I kept wondering who this "Saniyah" the comments were talking about actually was.
But the comments never gave me any real clues.
Connor was always careful about boundaries. Besides me, he never had any close female friends.
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't figure out who Saniyah could be.