Chapter 3My Peace Offer, His Agony

My uncle’s face fell when he saw I had come home alone again.

That evening, my aunt gently prodded.

“Are you and Alex fighting?

“Your mother sensed something was wrong when she was in the hospital, you know. She just didn’t say anything because she didn’t want to upset you.

“You need to rein in that temper of yours. With your parents gone, your husband is all you have to rely on.

“The most important thing now is to have a baby.”

I listened quietly and told her Alex would be there tomorrow.

“His business hasn’t been doing well the last few years, so he has a lot of work events,” I explained. “He wanted to come when Mom was in the hospital, too. Don’t worry, we’re fine.”

I didn’t want my family to know I was planning to divorce him. I didn't have the energy to deal with their attempts to mediate.

But I never expected Alex to break his promise again.

In the morning, he told me he was on his way to the station. My uncle slaughtered the chicken he’d been raising for a year. My aunt went to the market at dawn.

“It’s good he’s coming. He didn’t even show up for your mother’s funeral. The whole village thought he’d abandoned you.

“This will shut them up.

“You two should come back more often.”

My aunt chattered away as she bustled around the kitchen.

But after the table was laden with food, Alex didn’t answer any of my calls.

“Let’s just eat,” I said, forcing the words out. I looked at my aunt and uncle, my chest tight with guilt.

They exchanged a look and nodded. “Yes, yes, let’s eat before it gets cold.”

“I’ll go get your cousins to come over. We can’t finish all this food ourselves.”

“They can go with you up the mountain later.”

My aunt hurried to get more bowls and chopsticks.

In the winter air, the food on the table was already lukewarm.

I fought back tears, my smile feeling stiff and unnatural.

My uncle suddenly sat down beside me and ruffled my hair.

“You were always a strong-willed child. You should do what you want to do.

“If your father were here, he wouldn’t want to see you this unhappy.

“Our home is always your home. You still have family, you know. Don’t listen to your aunt. You should live for yourself.”

I managed a watery smile at him and excused myself to the bathroom.

I only came out after I had stopped crying.

My aunt and uncle were in the kitchen, reheating the dishes. Just then, my phone rang.

It was Alex.