Chapter 4

At dawn the next day, someone knocked on Mabel's door before sunrise. "Mabes, go make some chicken noodle soup. Annie drank too much last night, and her stomach hurts." After his leg injury, Wesley became extremely sensitive about people seeing him vulnerable, so there were no household staff in the villa. He'd also grown accustomed to ordering Mabel around. Still half-asleep, Mabel instinctively refused. "No." "What did you say?" Wesley almost doubted his hearing as Mabel had never denied his requests before. His sharp question brought Mabel to full alertness. She pointed to her abdomen. "It's my period. My stomach's cramping right now and I can't cook." Wesley studied her, weighing the validity of her excuse. After a long pause, he sighed. "Fine. I'll take her out to eat." As Wesley and Anais prepared to leave, Mabel sat reading in her room. With her upcoming doctoral studies abroad, she wanted to refresh her academic knowledge. Anais appeared at her doorway with feigned kindness. "Ms. Myers, Wes and I are going out to eat. Come and join us." Mabel didn't refuse. She knew once Anais extended the invitation, Wesley wouldn't allow her to decline. The black Maybach wove through traffic before stopping at the gates of Wesley and Anais' alma mater. The moment they exited, Anais clung to Wesley's arm. "Wes, it's been so long! Every corner of this place holds our memories!" Wesley nodded, then noticed Mabel standing awkwardly apart. "Annie wanted the cafeteria's chicken noodle soup. We thought we'd revisit the campus too." He offered Mabel an explanation for once, only to receive a terse nod in return. "As long as you're happy." Wesley's eyebrow twitched. Something felt different about Mabel, but before he could ponder further, Anais pulled him into the campus. Every step revived their romantic history. Laughing and reminiscing, they remained oblivious to Mabel trailing behind. As she watched their retreating figures, Mabel felt utterly exhausted. She told herself she just had to hold on a little longer. Once the divorce was finalized, she'd finally be free. The cafeteria was spacious and had an abundant selection of food. Wesley returned with a tray piled high with dishes, his face glowing with excitement as he approached Anais. "Annie, I got all your college favorites. Try them!" Mabel stared blankly at the table full of bright red, spicy dishes. After three years together, Wesley remembered every detail of Anais' preferences, yet never noticed Mabel couldn't eat spicy food. She stood up to get herself something mild. As she turned, a cafeteria worker carrying a steaming bowl of soup bumped into her from behind. Boiling soup splashed everywhere. Wesley instinctively pulled Anais into his arms for protection. Nearly the entire bowl's contents scalded Mabel's arm, instantly raising clusters of blisters across her skin. "Are you okay?" Wesley released Anais and grabbed Mabel's arm, his face showing concern for her, which was a first. Before Mabel could respond, Anais shrieked, "Wes! It burns! It hurts!" A few red spots dotted Anais's hand. It looked insignificant compared to Mabel's blistered arm, yet Anais was already cradling her wrist and sobbing. "Wes, I got burned!" Wesley immediately let go of Mabel and scooped Anais into his arms. "Don't worry, Annie! I'll take you to the hospital!" After two steps, he seemed to remember someone behind him. Turning back, he gave Mabel an apologetic look. "You're a doctor, so you know first aid. Handle this yourself first. I'll send the driver back for you after taking Annie to the hospital." The composure Mabel had maintained for days finally shattered. Tears streamed down her face as she watched them leave. This was her husband. The man she'd devotedly cared for three years. No matter how severe her injuries, they would always pale against Anais' slightest discomfort. Three years of attention and concern meant nothing to him. She was just trampled over and over like worthless weeds.