I woke upter than usual, and Ivan was no longer in bed. It was nearly morning when I fell asleep, so I didn’t notice him getting up.


    I took a shower before leaving our room, with a smile on my lips, but it quickly faded upon seeing the scene before me. Maureen was here! She and Ivan were sitting together on the couch.


    It was already past nine, so my inws had left, and Ivan’s siblings had also gone to work. I watched the two of them for a moment; Ivan was smiling, and Maureen was talking non-stop. Whenever theyughed, Maureen would hug him, and Ivan would put his arm around her.


    I experienced a sudden, intense ache in my chest once more. I believed I might be emotionally numb, but it seemed that I couldn’t. The pain was still very real.


    I was uncertain whether I should head to the kitchen and pretend not to notice them or go back to the room and wait for Maureen to leave.


    Why does this woman persist in constricting my world?


    It’s not that Ick the right to do so. I’mpletely within my rights to dismiss her at this moment, but if I were to, it’s almost certain that Ivan would be upset with me, considering his current condition. I’m attempting to avoid provoking his anger.


    And do my feelings matter to him? My feelings don’t appear to carry weight with him.


    I cleared my throat to get their attention. I noticed the surprise in Ivan’s eyes as he hastily withdrew his arm from the woman.


    Meanwhile, Maureen clung to Ivan’s arms wrapped around her, seemingly indifferent to my presence.


    I sighed and continued walking straight ahead. I couldn’t see any reason to stop, turn around, and acknowledge them. Was that really necessary? Did I need to convey to them that I was okay with what they were doing?


    I discovered two maids in the kitchen whispering to each other. I didn’t need to hear what they were discussing. I’m certain it’s about me, Maureen, and Ivan.


    “What’s for breakfast?” I inquired in a casual tone.


    The two of them turned pale with surprise. As they regained theirposure, I could see pity in their expressions. Pity because my husband was with his mistress in the living room.


    I didn’t require their sympathy, so I put on a forced smile.


    I was waiting for them to carry out their chores.


    “Ah, ma’am, we’re warming up the food,” one of them exined, sounding frantic while tugging at herpanion’s clothes, who remained rooted in her spot.


    “No need. I’ll take care of my own meal,” I said, turning away from them and heading to the pantry. I grabbed some buns and mayonnaise. That would be my meal. It’s one of myfort foods. Yeah, because I’m stressed right now.


    After eating, I went to my mother-inw’s garden to tend to her nts. I also had some vegetable seeds I bought the other day, and I nted them in pots.


    “Ma’am, would you like to have a snack?” one of the household helpers asked me.


    I was unaware that it had already be afternoon. I discreetly got up and approached the nearby faucet to wash my soiled hands. Despite wearing gloves, they had still be dirty.


    The helper didn’t leave until I was seated in a metal chair.


    “Has Ivan had his snack?” I asked, unable to express the exact question that had been on my mind.


    “Yes, ma’am, along with Ma’am Maureen,” the woman replied, her smile never wavering.


    “He inquired earlier if you had had your snack and wanted to invite you to join them.”


    My taste suddenly soured because of what she said. Ivan might have amnesia, but why does he seem foolish too? Where’s hismon sense?


    Damn it! I’m starting to feel irritated with him.


    “Ma’am Maureen has left… She just departed,” the household helper reported to me.


    “Okay, thank you. You can leave me now. I’ll take the utensils to the kitchenter.”Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    She gave a slight nod before leaving. I let out a frustrated sigh, shaking my head, and began to eat.


    ***


    It was already evening when Ivan and I saw each other. I entered the room to get dressed for dinner with the whole family. As I moved around the room, I felt his intense gaze on me.


    “M, are you okay?” he asked, breaking the silence.


    “Yup,” I responded curtly, still avoiding eye contact. I slipped on my t sandals and then finally stole a nce in his direction, gesturing toward the door.


    It’s already five minutes past seven in the evening, and they must be ready at the dining table. We’re the only ones they’re waiting for.


    “Good evening,” I greeted Mom and Dad while exchanging nods with some of Ivan’s siblings.


    “Let’s eat…”


    We dined in silence, the only sound being the clinking of utensils on tes echoing through the room. It wasn’t until dessert that the conversation finally stirred.


    “How was your day?” my mother-inw inquired.


    I remained silent, my gaze fixed on the food before me. I was confident that my inws had no idea of Maureen’s visit. Theirposure would have been far from calm if the conversation had revolved around Maureen.


    “Fine,” Ivan replied in a bored tone.


    I felt like rolling my eyes. Inwardly, I chastised him. He was still bored in that situation, huh?


    To prevent attracting their attention, I let out a deep sigh slowly. Ivan and Maureen had likely already instructed the household helpers not to mention her visit. I also didn’t want to cause anymotion within the family, so I decided to keep quiet.


    ***


    Wey in silence on Ivan’s bed, side by side, but it wasn’t like the previous night when we were close. I found myself at the edge of the bed, facing away from him.


    “M, are you okay?”


    To be honest, I felt tasteless in this rtionship. I couldn’t tell if this was a sign of me moving on or if I was simply angry with him at the moment.


    Regardless, I needed to keep it all to myself. I didn’t want to argue with him; I didn’t want us to fight because, in the end, I would still be the one who lost.


    He inched closer, causing me to tense up. He pulled me in until I could feel his body against mine.


    Damn it! I wanted to curse at him. I also wanted to scold myself because the irritation I had been feeling had transformed into hope.


    M, you’re so vulnerable when ites to Ivan.


    “Are we okay?” His warm breath brushed against my neck.


    We? Is there a ‘we’? my mind inquired bluntly.


    “Well, yes,” I replied, simply wanting to conclude the conversation.


    “You’re not mad? Why do I sense that you’re upset with me?”


    “No, I’m not mad. Why would I be?”


    I’m quite adept at acting, much like Ivan.


    “If you’re not, then face me…” I wasn’t ustomed to the softness in his voice. It was so gentle that it dispelled my jealousy. I didn’t respond and didn’t move to meet his gaze.


    “You’re upset. Would you care to exin why?”


    I took a deep breath before slowly turning to meet his eyes.


    “Let’s sleep,” I said tly before closing my eyes to avoid the gaze that seemed to probe the depths of my thoughts.


    He didn’t say anything more. I fell asleep quickly, fatigued from the previous night.


    ***


    Once again, I woke upte the next morning. Unlike yesterday, I felt considerably lighter today. I smiled and moved with agility. However, as I stepped outside, I encountered Maureen once more.


    Doesn’t she have any respect for Ivan’s family? If she can’t respect me as Ivan’s “on-paper” wife, she should, at the very least, disy some consideration for Ivan’s family, knowing that they don’t like her.