Why So Absentminded?

Especially Fiona, who always asks for money as if she's entitled. She's like a parasite, but still proud as can be, wandering around with energy to spare yet no energy to work. I'm truly at a loss for words.

I took my daughter and left the kitchen. Out of sight, out of mind.

Just then, my phone rang. It was Monica... ...

I hastily grabbed my phone and returned to the bedroom before answering the call, met with an accusation, "You're quite something, aren't you? Flirting with me and then running off!"

"There was an emergency at the company," Monica's voice did indeed sound weary and hoarse, "I've just finished dealing with it, and now I'm calling you, what's there to complain about? You think I'm living the easy life like you!"

I hesitated but couldn't help myself and asked her, "That... where did you say you saw George the day before yesterday? What time?"

This question had been bothering me all day.

I felt Monica pause for a moment on the other end before she responded indifferently, "I've forgotten where it was now, just caught a glimpse while driving past."

"Oh!" I didn't know why her answer left me somewhat disappointed.

But the heart that had been hanging was now grounded. My clenched hand also relaxed, the palm cold and sweaty.

I snorted with laughter, thinking to myself whether I would actually be satisfied only if I could confirm that he was cheating.

I had to admit that George was my everything, and the thought of losing him scared me.

Monica continued to tease me, "You're totally controlled by your husband. Whenever George comes up, you get all excited. Can't you have a bit of yourself? Angel is already in kindergarten, and you should have your own things to do. Don't tell me you really want to be George's accessory for the rest of your life! You're becoming silly, and you're disconnecting from the outside world. In your world, there's only George."

I laughed awkwardly and sighed, "But George says..."

"See? 'George says, George says'... I wasn't wrong, was I? Your world only contains George. His word is law to you. If he told you to die, would you? If he sold you, would you help him count the money?" Monica said, exasperated.

"Tsk! What a curse! George would never sell me!" I retorted.

"Yeah, right! George wouldn't sell you, but I would, okay?" Monica rebutted disdainfully.

"Harsh truths can be unpleasant. You should think about it. You need to have your own value, not just be like a maid, always around the kitchen. That's not love, that's foolishness! Only if he's worried about you, does he really love you. With you busy with daily chores all the time, will he still be interested in you in the long run?"

"I'm not trying to be harsh, but now, aside from your child and husband, have you forgotten about yourself?"

Monica fired at me like a machine gun, leaving me no room to argue back.

When I didn't respond, she finally stopped and her voice softened a lot, "Grace, I really hope to see you confident again. You used to be a top student, my idol! I just feel it's a pity that you're wasting yourself by being a full-time housewife."

"Stop it, you're just slapping me and then pretending to care. I don't know who's upset you, but you're taking out your anger on me."

We both laughed.

Chapter 4: Why So Absentminded?

I hastily grabbed my phone and returned to the bedroom before answering the call, met with an accusation, "You're quite something, aren't you? Flirting with me and then running off!"

"There was an emergency at the company," Monica's voice did indeed sound weary and hoarse, "I've just finished dealing with it, and now I'm calling you, what's there to complain about? You think I'm living the easy life like you!"

I hesitated but couldn't help myself and asked her, "That... where did you say you saw George the day before yesterday? What time?"

This question had been bothering me all day.

I felt Monica pause for a moment on the other end before she responded indifferently, "I've forgotten where it was now, just caught a glimpse while driving past."

"Oh!" I didn't know why her answer left me somewhat disappointed.

But the heart that had been hanging was now grounded. My clenched hand also relaxed, the palm cold and sweaty.

I snorted with laughter, thinking to myself whether I would actually be satisfied only if I could confirm that he was cheating.

I had to admit that George was my everything, and the thought of losing him scared me.

Monica continued to tease me, "You're totally controlled by your husband. Whenever George comes up, you get all excited. Can't you have a bit of yourself? Angel is already in kindergarten, and you should have your own things to do. Don't tell me you really want to be George's accessory for the rest of your life! You're becoming silly, and you're disconnecting from the outside world. In your world, there's only George."

I laughed awkwardly and sighed, "But George says..."

"See? 'George says, George says'... I wasn't wrong, was I? Your world only contains George. His word is law to you. If he told you to die, would you? If he sold you, would you help him count the money?" Monica said, exasperated.

"Tsk! What a curse! George would never sell me!" I retorted.

"Yeah, right! George wouldn't sell you, but I would, okay?" Monica rebutted disdainfully.

"Harsh truths can be unpleasant. You should think about it. You need to have your own value, not just be like a maid, always around the kitchen. That's not love, that's foolishness! Only if he's worried about you, does he really love you. With you busy with daily chores all the time, will he still be interested in you in the long run?"

"I'm not trying to be harsh, but now, aside from your child and husband, have you forgotten about yourself?"

Monica fired at me like a machine gun, leaving me no room to argue back.

When I didn't respond, she finally stopped and her voice softened a lot, "Grace, I really hope to see you confident again. You used to be a top student, my idol! I just feel it's a pity that you're wasting yourself by being a full-time housewife."

"Stop it, you're just slapping me and then pretending to care. I don't know who's upset you, but you're taking out your anger on me."

We both laughed.

This is how Monica and I are, we say whatever comes to mind. Although she has said such things to me before, hearing them today felt different for some reason, inexplicably making my heart flutter. Could it be that Monica was implying something?

At that moment, George knocked on the door and came in with a gentle smile, "Wife! It's time to eat!"

He had come to call me for dinner, and Monica, hearing the voice from the other side, quickly said, "Alright, go eat!"

Then she lowered her voice and reminded me, "Take my words to heart, don't let the beauty in front of you blind you!"

She hung up the phone, and I was pulled into George's arms, receiving a kiss, "Whose call was it?"

"Monica!"

"What did she say? You seem distracted!" George's smile was warm and appeared casual as he asked. He certainly knew about my friendship with Monica, as we were classmates, "Haven't seen her in a long time!"

I was taken aback, haven't seen her in a long time?

That means, when Monica mentioned seeing him the day before yesterday, it wasn't up close. I felt relieved, it seemed I was overthinking, maybe Monica was just like me, her eyes playing tricks on her.

"What's wrong? Hmm?" Seeing me standing there distracted, George bent down to look at my face, pinched my cheeks, kissed me, and affectionately asked, "Why so absent-minded? What are you thinking about?"

His eyes were full of concern, and I snapped back to reality, smiling, "Nothing! Let's eat!"

George pulled me in for another kiss on my face and then looked into my eyes, "Don't hide anything from your husband, okay? We'll solve it together!"

I wrapped my arms around his waist, looked up, and playfully retorted, "Is it me who's neurotic or you? Making an issue out of nothing? Let's eat!"

George laughed too, seemingly relieved, kissed me again, and then led me outside.

For some reason, my doubts grew heavier.