Chapter 32
When Celestia and I got home, Levi was already in the living room.
He sat quietly on the sofa, hands crossed, sitting up straight and proper.
Celestia let go of my hand and walked toward him.
"Dad, you broke your promise."
Levi pulled Celestia onto the sofa and had to listen as she continued.
"You said we'd have a family dinner, so why was someone else there? Mom didn't say anything, but she must be upset."
"Dad, you should apologize to Mom."
Celestia looked at Levi seriously. Even a child understands this basic principle. It's not that Levi doesn't get it—it's that my tolerance has made him think I have no temper.
I felt so tired. My world felt like it had just been through a heavy rain, and right now I just wanted to find a corner to curl up in.
"Celestia, Mommy's a little tired. I'm going to bed first."
I'd only taken two steps when Levi stopped me.
"We need to talk."
Talk? About what? Was he finally willing to discuss divorce with me?
Indigo heard from a distance and immediately came over to take Celestia back to her room.
I took a deep breath, then walked over and sat down across from him.
I wouldn't speak first like I used to. When you're always the one reaching out, you just end up at someone else's mercy.
We sat there quietly, neither of us looking at the other.
After a long while, Levi finally spoke.
"I ran into her by chance tonight."
Was he explaining to me?
I said nothing.
"Next time we'll pick another place. I'll let you know in advance."
Just brushing it off with one sentence?
What kind of explanation was that? He might as well not have explained at all.
"So you had dinner together."
I smiled bitterly. "Are you trying to explain to me?"
Levi glanced at me and shrugged. "You said you were tired just now. Go rest."
That's it?
For Levi, "we need to talk" meant just one sentence?
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
I suddenly stared at him. "Levi, if you ran into her by chance, why didn't you come out and catch up with Celestia and me?"
"If it was by chance, why did you let her say all those things?"
He seemed unaccustomed to my resistance. There was a hint of surprise in his eyes, surprised that I was no longer silent.
Another stretch of silence. He would never give me a straight answer when I needed one.
In front of others, he was the decisive Mr. Morgan. In front of me, he was an insurmountable iceberg.
"Why bother explaining to me anyway?"
I nodded slowly with a helpless smile. "What do our six years mean to you?"
I knew none of my questions would be answered, but I just couldn't control myself. I wanted him to be honest with me.
Levi's phone lit up. It was already ten o'clock.
I sniffled. "Is it so hard to talk to me? You can chat and laugh with Jessa just fine."
"We're all adults. If you still like her, that's fine. I can leave. I'll step aside for you two."
"All along, I've known you have something against me. When someone's already in your heart, there's no room for anyone else. All these years, even with Celestia, I've meant nothing to you."
"If you choose her, I'll explain to Grandpa. We can part on good terms, even though the beginning of our story wasn't good."
I slowly stood up. "I'm ready to divorce anytime."
I was tired of that powerless feeling—when you want to argue, but he won't even argue with you.
As I turned to leave, I couldn't help turning back to ask him, "Levi, tell me honestly, do you still love her or not?"
Levi's gaze fixed somewhere else. He didn't look at me or speak.
I turned back around and closed my eyes. Always silent, always tormenting.
Wouldn't it be simpler? Couldn't he just tell me they want to be together? Couldn't he just let me go?
"Mrs. Morgan, Mr. Morgan asked me to save you some dinner. If you're hungry, you can eat something." Indigo looked at us with concern.
"No thanks."
I noticed Indigo specifically mentioning Levi, but I was no longer going to feel happy about the tiny bits of ordinary care Levi showed.
I just wanted to escape this boring life, this life with no hope in sight.
My footsteps echoed in the deathly silence. Levi just sat there motionless. If he would just show some emotion for me even once, I'd feel like these six years weren't a complete waste.
Back in the bedroom, I closed the door, kicked off my shoes, and flopped onto the bed.
If nothing unexpected happened, Levi wouldn't be coming back to the room tonight.
If nothing unexpected happened, we'd be starting another "cold war" for the next few days.
I'd long been immune to his coldness. It would actually seem strange if he showed warmth.
My phone vibrated.
I opened it to see a large transfer.
Levi had sent me money again, but I couldn't feel happy about it. I desperately wanted to end this comfortable but empty life. I wanted a new life with real feeling in it.
I was going to have another sleepless night. I tossed and turned, and since I couldn't sleep anyway, I might as well go paint a little.
I changed into my pajamas and tiptoed out the door.
The living room was empty. I grabbed my shawl from the sofa and quietly headed to my secret place.
The light was still on in Levi's study—I had to pass by it.
I kept my eyes on his window. Suddenly, my foot caught on something, and I fell sideways. I bit my lip to keep from making a sound. With a thud, I closed my eyes.
Levi heard the noise and walked to the window. Seeing someone there, he pushed open the door.
"Who's there?"
I held back the pain and said nothing.
He bent down and leaned in to look at me.
"What are you doing?"
He couldn't possibly think I was spying on him in the middle of the night, could he?
If the other paths had streetlights, I definitely wouldn't have come this way.
He reached out to pull me up, and I had to grab his arm.
Just as I was about to stand up, a sharp pain shot through my leg, and I couldn't stay steady. "Ouch..."
Levi was caught off guard and fell down with me. He put his hand under my head, but his own head hit the ground hard...
"Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, what happened to you two?"
Was Indigo having trouble sleeping tonight, too? She came running over as soon as she heard the noise.
Levi got up first. Before I could struggle, he scooped me up in his arms. I touched my leg and looked—red blood looked almost black in the dim light.
"Mrs. Morgan, you're hurt. I'll get the first aid kit."
Levi carried me into the inner room of his study—his own private space.
As he bent down and stood up again, I saw blood running down from his temple. I instinctively raised my hand to wipe it, but he grabbed my hand.
"Don't move. I'll do it myself."
Was he afraid of getting my hand dirty? Or did he not want me touching him?
Sensitive as I was, I quickly put up my defenses, and the warmth of his embrace just moments ago instantly lost its magic.
After he left, I finally calmed down enough to check on myself. My leg was scraped.
I was frustrated. Why did I keep getting hurt? And this time Levi had to witness it.