"On our anniversary next year, I will make it official.
My feet hurt from all the jumping and dancing at the concert today. Honey, can you hold me and take me to a shower?"
Clara always liked the carrot-and-stick approach.
She thought I was a sucker for this.
In fact, I just loved her so much that I couldn't bear to quarrel with her and see her suffer.
"Do you have a broken foot or leg? Can't walk on your own?"
This time, my response was unusually cold.
Clara was stunned in surprise, then pouted, "I just want my husband to hold me."
As she spoke, she opened her arms and was about to pounce on me.
The green bracelet on her wrist, a gift from Jackson, sparkled under the light as if mocking me for being cheated on.
With a sullen face, I moved away.
Clara missed her aim, immediately furrowing her brows, with shock evident in her eyes.
"You've never been like this before."
She probably didn't expect that her tried-and-tested trick would fail again and again tonight.
"You like being held in the bath, don't you?
Go to Jackson, then. You accepted his advances and even kissed him."
I walked straight to the bathroom and didn't bother to look at her anymore.