"Mom, don't worry. Hugh Pei and I have both had check-ups, and there are no problems. It's probably just that he's too busy and often not at home, so a baby is taking a little longer," I said. It would be a lie to say I wasn't moved, but unfortunately, I didn't have the good fortune to continue being her daughter-in-law.
"Your father and I often see those scandalous news reports, and we've scolded him many times. But you're his wife. you need to keep a closer eye on him, you understand?" my mother-in-law instructed.
Although I knew in my heart that I couldn't control Hugh Pei, and that he would soon fall in love with another woman, I still nodded at my mother-in-law's sincere gaze. "Okay, Mom."
After chatting for a while, I had breakfast with my in-laws and also learned that Hugh Pei had left early in the morning.
I didn't pay it any mind. My current attitude towards Hugh Pei was one of indifference.
After breakfast, I also drove out, heading straight to the hospital to settle scores with Evan Yu.
Evan Yu had just finished his rounds and returned to his office when I cornered him. I asked with a smile that didn't reach my eyes, "Dr. Yu, do you have a few minutes to chat?"
"No," Evan Yu answered bluntly, his fair, handsome face devoid of any smile.
"You're just feeling guilty and don't dare to face me, right?" I sat down next to him and started to accuse him. "I asked you to persuade Hugh Pei to get a divorce, but instead you persuaded my in-laws to come to Mapleview Manor. Since when did Dr. Yu become so chivalrous, adhering to the principle of 'rather demolish ten temples than break up one marriage'?"
Evan Yu glanced at me, his tone flat. "Your aunt and uncle asked me about your and Hugh Pei's recent situation. I simply replied that you wanted a divorce."
Hearing that, I really wanted to stage a medical dispute on the spot!
Did this man's good looks come at the cost of his emotional intelligence? There were so many problems between me and Hugh Pei, yet he chose to highlight only the "I want a divorce" part. What would my in-laws think of me?
Just as I was clutching my forehead in frustration, Evan Yu was called away by a nurse, leaving me alone in the office. I saw his thermos on the desk, immediately rummaged through my bag, and threw a lipstick inside.
Poison him, for all I care, I cursed inwardly, then left the hospital in a state of annoyance.
As an unemployed person with nowhere to go, I wandered around for a bit and then went home. It was lunchtime, and the aroma of food wafting from the kitchen was very enticing.
Hugh Pei and his parents were sitting in the living room. I didn't know what they had been discussing, but the atmosphere was quite heavy. When my mother-in-law saw me, her face broke into a smile. "Zoe, you're back."
I nodded and sat down next to her. As soon as I sat down, she grabbed my hand and then unleashed a torrent of words at Hugh Pei. "Hugh Pei, your father and I have made ourselves very clear today. If you're ever rumored to be with any indecent women again, don't call me your son!"
"Dad, Mom, what's this..." I looked at my in-laws in shock.
"Zoe, I know you've been wronged in this marriage. Hugh Pei has been completely irresponsible these past few years, fooling around everywhere. Only you could tolerate him," my mother-in-law sighed. "Give him one more chance. Your father and I will supervise him together."
Evan Yu had only said that I wanted a divorce, and my in-laws were this concerned?
In my past life, I had never realized they valued me so much, that they liked me. By the time Hugh Pei brought Lila Wei to the Pei family home, he was already determined to divorce me, and no amount of persuasion from them worked.
Hugh Pei sat opposite me with a cold face, his eyes devoid of any warmth. He must have thought this was all my elaborate scheme.
Even if I had taken out the divorce agreement last night, he wouldn't change his mind.
"Dad, Mom, don't worry. Most of Hugh Pei's rumored affairs are fake, just business pleasantries. I trust him," I said, playing the part of the understanding wife.
My father-in-law then spoke up. "Zoe, you are a well-bred and reasonable young woman. It's a good thing that you understand and trust Hugh Pei. But we've seen how he has treated you these past few years. You shouldn't be too good to him. Sometimes, men are just despicable."
"Yes, the better you are to him, the more he disdains and doesn't cherish you. What's unattainable and what's lost are always the best," my mother-in-law agreed with her husband.
My in-laws were so earnestly teaching me the art of managing a husband. I was both moved and amused.
But Hugh Pei's face had completely darkened.
"Dad, Mom, I know," I nodded obediently.
Just then, Eva Liu came over. "Madam, the meal is ready."
My mother-in-law glanced at Eva Liu and praised her, "Your cooking smells delicious."
I smiled meaningfully. "Auntie Liu's cooking is excellent. I've already gained four pounds. Mom, you should try more of her cooking in the future."
"I'm going back in a couple of days, how will I have the chance to try more? You, on the other hand, are a bit too thin. You could definitely stand to gain some weight," my mother-in-law said as she walked towards the dining room.
I really wanted to tell her that she would have plenty of opportunities in the future.
It was a rare family meal together, but Hugh Pei was extremely cold. I chatted and laughed with my in-laws, and the atmosphere was reasonably harmonious.
Suddenly, Hugh Pei's phone buzzed. He opened it, glanced at it, and then his eyes swept over to me, looking at me strangely.
I was a bit baffled but didn't pay it much mind.
It wasn't until after lunch, when we went to rest, that Hugh Pei found me in the room. He showed me a photo. "You put this in?"
Zoe Xu did it.
It was a photo Evan Yu had sent to Hugh Pei, along with an accusation.
The lipstick in the thermos was steeping in the tea, looking very out of place.
I admitted it. "Yes. Who told him to go and tattle to your parents?"
"Zoe Xu, have you been possessed lately?" Hugh Pei put away his phone and squinted at me. "What exactly are you trying to do?"
The old me had almost no interaction with his group of friends; we just didn't get along.
Now, I was throwing lipstick into Evan Yu's thermos!
"I haven't been possessed. I've just seen the light," I explained calmly. "Hugh Pei, I've already given you ten years of my youth and feelings. Since you're never going to like me or give me any response, is it wrong for me to live my own life? I don't want to suppress and force myself like I used to."
"You think liking me for ten years was suppressing and forcing yourself? Then why didn't you give up sooner?" Hugh Pei was aggressive, a hint of coldness in his handsome, refined eyes.
"I can give up whenever I want to give up!" I was getting a little angry.
The atmosphere froze for a moment. Hugh Pei stared at me for a long time, as if I were a stranger.
The two of us were at a stalemate for a while, which ended with Hugh Pei leaving. I let out a sigh of relief and collapsed onto the bed, my heart feeling empty.
In the afternoon, as soon as Hugh Pei left, I followed him out and went to "Encounter."
Every other time I had come, Lila Wei was there. But the one day I had arranged to meet Evan Yu, she was gone. It was really strange.
"Sis Zoe, still a black coffee?" Lila Wei always wore her hair in a high ponytail at work, giving her a very fresh look. She was very nice to every customer, her smile sweet.
"No, do you have any sweeter coffee recommendations?" I asked with a small smile.
"Of course! The cappuccino and macchiato are both good. They give you a sweet feeling, just like being in love," Lila Wei introduced cheerfully.
I thought for a moment and ordered a macchiato.