Chapter 2 His Accusation

"Elsie, the manager is looking for you," a colleague called out to me. I put away my phone and didn't reply to Godfrey.

"Elsie, there's an opportunity for overseas training at the company. You mentioned before that you were planning to get married and have children, so it wasn't convenient for you to go abroad while pregnant," the manager said seriously. "Now that you've recovered, would you like to reconsider it?"

I agreed without hesitation. I had made up my mind. Staying for Godfrey was simply too foolish. The manager was pleased and told me to prepare well. He would inform me once the training schedule was set.

As night fell, I finished my work and sat wearily in my chair. Godfrey called. "Why aren't you home yet?" Just as I was about to explain that I was swamped with work, he added, "Aren't you coming back to cook?"

I didn't even want to see him, let alone cook for him, so staying at the office to prepare for the upcoming overseas training seemed to be a perfect excuse. I made it up and replied, "A colleague had an emergency and asked me to cover their shift. I'll be working overtime. You can order takeout."

"Takeout?" Godfrey asked in surprise. We had never ordered takeout before because I believed homemade food was good for his health, so I always cooked for him. But that was in the past.

"Is there a problem?" I asked calmly.

Godfrey paused for a few seconds before saying, "No, just don't tire yourself out."

"Okay," I replied curtly.

After a long silence, he cautiously asked, "Elsie, are you angry?"

I didn't respond.

He continued, "Elsie, Sirena is alone with her child. It's not easy for her. She doesn't know anyone else here but me."

Yes, just you. She was hard alone with a child, but did losing mine make it easier for me? Too tired to argue, I said flatly, "I understand. It's not easy for her. She only has you."

Godfrey got angry. "Elsie, what do you mean by that? What's with your attitude?"

"I said I understand you. Is there a problem?" I repeated.

"Do you have to talk to me like this?"

"How should I talk to you then?"

He fell silent. Before hanging up, he said, "Whatever."

Men were strange creatures. When I used to ask if he was seeing Sirena, he found me annoying. When he secretly went to her house and I called asking when he'd be back, he found me annoying. Now that I didn't ask or care and said I understood him, he still found me annoying.

I put my phone aside and continued reviewing documents without overthinking it.

I worked late into the night and returned home around midnight. Just as I managed to fall asleep, I was suddenly woken up.

"Elsie, my stomach hurts," Godfrey said in a muffled voice, seemingly in pain.

Half-asleep, I mumbled something but quickly dozed off again. In my dreams, it seemed like Godfrey kept calling my name, but I was too exhausted to respond.

Eventually, his movements woke me completely.

Sitting by my bed, Godfrey asked, "Elsie, why don't you care about me anymore? You used to worry whenever my stomach hurt, and you'd bring me medicine."

Yes, that was in the past.

Rubbing my eyes groggily, I said, "Are you feeling better now? We might be out of medicine at home. Maybe you should go buy some yourself."