After I actively made up with her, I saw a box of ultra-thin 001 condoms in the passenger seat of Sylvia's car. I silently put it away for her, didn't ask, didn't make a scene. Sylvia looked at me with complex eyes and actively explained: "Check again, the whole box is there. We ran out at home." I hummed, leaning against the uncomfortable seat, feigning sleep. Until she parked the car by the road, her tone softening: "Let's buy some supplements. We'll go back to your home for New Year's Eve to see Mom." I couldn't hold back the tears in the end, turning my back to her. My mom passed away, and she still didn't know. Chapter 1 "Ethan? Are you listening to me?" Sylvia's voice deepened, carrying the oppressive aura of a superior. I said hoarsely: "No need." No need to go back, never again. She misunderstood my meaning, leaning over to look: "Angry?" "Trust me, okay? Or you can count them?" Saying that, she opened the box, pouring out all the condoms, her eyes filled with helpless doting, as if coaxing a tantrum-throwing child. I wiped my tears and looked over: "Really not angry." Sylvia leaned in to hug me, sighing: "Still saying you're not angry." "Didn't you always want me to accompany you back?" "It's rare that I don't have social engagements this New Year." "If we miss it, who knows when the next time will be." Her palm gently patted my back, trying to comfort me as usual. But I pushed her away numbly, nodding: "Okay, let's go then." Before my mom died, she was nagging about her daughter-in-law being too busy with work to see her one last time. If Sylvia has time for New Year's, it's good to go pay respects. After all, after the divorce, there will be no reason to ask her to go. I bought a lot of things online, mostly flowers for the grave. Worrying about inflation down there, I planned to burn more. But on New Year's Day, Sylvia didn't come back. Chapter 2 Seemingly anticipated, I calmly accepted the fact that she might miss the train. I took a taxi to the station myself. Only when the train started did she call. "Sorry, something came up here." "Change the ticket, how about we leave tonight?" I looked at the retreating scenery outside the window, swallowing tears: "No need, I've already left." Didn't even bother to ask the reason. But Sylvia explained actively: "This time it's really not because of Gabriel." "It's the project we discussed before, suddenly had problems. I thought I could make it." "Ethan, don't make a scene." Don't know where she heard I was making a scene. I spoke calmly: "I know you're busy, you can come tomorrow." Waiting one more day is fine, let it be. Sylvia breathed a sigh of relief: "Wait for me obediently. When I arrive, I'll make Beef Stew for Mom." "She always said my cooking was good. Haven't eaten it for years, right?" "This time I absolutely..." "I'm tired, want to sleep." I interrupted her longing, tears streaming down my face uncontrollably. I really wanted to shout: Mom can't eat it anymore! Where were you before! But I was tired, didn't want to argue. Argued too much, tired myself out, as if I was a person with no self-esteem, begging for her attention shamelessly. It's fine if she comes, kowtows, lights an incense, let Mom see. It's not in vain that Mom raised her for so many years, not in vain that I picked her up back then, and she mooched meals at my house for more than ten years. But I overestimated her after all. Chapter 3 Seeing me come back alone again, Uncle's face wasn't good. At night, Aunt tentatively asked: "Are you in conflict with Sylvia?" "Actually, when your mom was hospitalized, she sensed something was wrong, but didn't mention it for fear of upsetting you." "You should also restrain your temper. Parents are gone, only a wife left to depend on." I listened quietly, told her Sylvia would come tomorrow, and explained: "Her company's business isn't good recently, always socializing." "She also wanted to come when Mom was hospitalized. Don't worry, we're fine." I didn't want my family to know I wanted a divorce, too lazy to deal with their mediation. But I didn't expect Sylvia to break her promise again. In the morning she told me she was on the way to the train station. Uncle specially killed a chicken raised for a year. Aunt went to buy groceries early in the morning: "Good that she comes back. She didn't appear at your mom's funeral, villagers thought you were abandoned." "Now just right to shut their mouths." "Come back often in the future." Aunt nagged while busy in the kitchen. But with a table full of dishes, I called Sylvia countless times, none answered. "Let's eat first." I spoke holding back emotions, looking at them guiltily. Aunt and Uncle looked at each other, nodding one after another: "Okay okay, eat first." "I'll call your cousins over, can't finish so many dishes." "Let them accompany you up the mountain later." Aunt busily went to get bowls and chopsticks. Winter food lost heat in half an hour. I held back tears, smiling with difficulty. Uncle suddenly sat next to me, patting my shoulder: "You've had your own mind since childhood. Do what you want to do." "If your dad were here, he wouldn't bear to see you wronged." "Uncle's home is always your home. Family is here, don't listen to your aunt, live freely." I smiled, got up and went to the bathroom, came out after crying. Uncle and Aunt were heating dishes in the kitchen. Phone suddenly rang—it was Sylvia. Chapter 4 "He's hospitalized, in surgery." "Life and death matter, I can't ignore it." "Ethan, wait for tomorrow, I'll pick you guys up." "By the way, bring Mom over to play for a few days." I listened numbly, emotions churning in my chest. I didn't want to get angry. Mom always said: "Ethan, don't get angry often, not worth it." "Live a smooth life, turn a blind eye, decades will pass." "Look at me, I had many opinions about your dad before, but didn't I only remember his good points after he left?" But Sylvia is really bullying me too much! "You don't need to come. I have things to find you for when I return." I finished coldly and hung up. Sylvia called again, I hung up directly. Her messages came: [Don't be unreasonable, wait obediently.] [If there was anyone who could help, he wouldn't have looked for me.] [About last time, he wanted to apologize to you, I didn't let him.] [Ethan, I know you have a fierce temper, afraid you'd hit him.] [Can't we live a good life? Don't throw a tantrum over such small things.] ... She sent a lot. I skimmed through a few. Cousins came back, I turned off my phone and ignored it. A meal eaten with different thoughts. Arriving at Mom's grave, cousins waited not far away. I sat on the ground, looking at the person in the photo, tears couldn't help falling. Many words in heart, but couldn't say them. Only whispered when leaving: "Sorry Mom, I lost the daughter-in-law you liked." "You won't blame me, right?" Wind rose, as if fingers gently brushed my cheek. I held back tears, went down the mountain without looking back.
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "389980", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel