Chapter 3

I figured Neil would come apologize to me within a day, like he always did.

But I waited three days, and he didn't even call once.

My mom watched me moping and sighing around the house all day, and finally she couldn't help asking what was going on.

I laid it on thick and told her the whole story.

I expected her to take my side and rail against Neil, but instead, after she'd heard me out, she slammed her chopsticks down on the table with a bang.

"Naomi! This is your fault!"

I froze.

"Mom? Why are you taking an outsider's side?"

"What outsider? Neil is your husband! Was anything he said wrong? What man could tolerate his wife's male best friend just wandering into the bedroom whenever he pleases? It's only because Neil is even-tempered. Anyone with a shorter fuse would've hit someone already!"

My dad chimed in from beside her.

"Your mother's right. Naomi, you crossed a line here. Between friends, especially friends of the opposite sex, you have to know how to avoid the appearance of impropriety. Neil holding off until now to say anything was already very generous of him."

I was so angry I couldn't even eat.

"Are you two really my parents? What did he say to brainwash you?"

Just then, the doorbell rang.

My mom went to answer it, and standing outside was Neil, carrying armloads of fruit and health supplements.

When he saw me, his eyes darted away, and he greeted my parents first.

"Dad, Mom."

My mom immediately put on a warm face and welcomed him inside.

"Oh, Neil's here, come sit down."

I let out a cold snort and turned my head away.

Neil sat down next to me and lowered himself.

"Naomi, don't be angry, come home with me."

My dad cleared his throat and said to me,

"Naomi, Neil came all the way here to pick you up, so stop being difficult. You were in the wrong to begin with, so hurry up and apologize to your husband and go back with him."

Apologize?

Why should I?

The anger shot up in my chest all at once.

"No! I did nothing wrong! Dad, Mom, if you think Neil's so great, then go ahead and take him as your son! I can't stay in this house anymore anyway!"

My dad was so angry he pointed at me, unable to get a word out.

Neil quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Dad, Mom, don't be upset. It's all my fault. I didn't communicate well with Naomi."

Then he turned back to coax me.

"Okay, okay, it's all my fault, all right? I shouldn't have lost my temper with you. I know you and Ernest are good friends, I get it. I won't interfere with you anymore, okay?"

Watching how humble he was, most of my anger settled.

But my mom was still glaring from the side, watching my every move.

I deliberately raised my voice.

"You said it yourself! From now on, you can't tell me who I hang out with or where I go! If you pick a fight with me over Ernest again, we're getting divorced!"

The instant the word "divorce" came out, my parents' and Neil's faces all changed.

The air seemed to freeze.

In the end, it was Neil who caved first.

He sighed and looked at me, almost pleading.

"Okay, I won't interfere. As long as you don't say those two words, I'll agree to anything."

In that moment, I was filled with the thrill of victory.

See, he still cared about me.

As long as I brought out my trump card, he'd fall right back in line.