Chapter 2

I figured Neil would apologize within a day, the way he always did.

But I waited three days, and he didn't so much as call.

My mom saw me moping and sighing around the house all day, and finally couldn't help asking what was wrong.

I told her the whole story, exaggerating every detail.

I thought she'd take my side and rail against Neil, but instead, when she finished listening, she slammed her chopsticks down on the table with a bang.

"Naomi! You're the one in the wrong here!"

I froze.

"Mom? Why are you taking a stranger's side?"

"What stranger? Neil is your husband! Was anything he said wrong? What man could put up with his wife's male best friend just wandering into the bedroom whenever he pleases? It's only because Neil has such a good temper. Someone with a short fuse would've hit somebody long ago!"

My dad chimed in from the side.

"Your mother's right. Naomi, you crossed a line on this. Between friends—especially friends of the opposite sex—you have to know how to avoid any appearance of impropriety. For Neil to hold it in until now was already giving you plenty of face."

I was so angry I couldn't eat.

"Are you two even my real parents? What did he brainwash you with?"

Just then, the doorbell rang.

My mom went to answer it, and standing outside was Neil, loaded down with bags of fruit and health supplements.

When he saw me, his eyes shifted away, and he greeted my parents first.

"Dad, Mom."

My mom immediately put on a warm face and welcomed him inside.

"Oh, Neil's here, come sit down."

I let out a cold snort and turned my head away.

Neil sat down beside me, lowering himself.

"Naomi, don't be mad, come home with me."

My dad cleared his throat and spoke to me.

"Naomi, Neil's come all this way to bring you home, so stop throwing a tantrum. You were the one in the wrong to begin with. Hurry up and apologize to your husband, then go back with him."

Apologize?

Why should I?

The anger inside me flared up in an instant.

"No! I did nothing wrong! Dad, Mom, if you think Neil's so great, then go ahead and take him as your son! Either way, I can't stay in this house anymore!"

My dad was so furious he just pointed at me, unable to get a word out.

Neil rushed to smooth things over.

"Dad, Mom, don't be upset. It's all my fault. I didn't communicate with Naomi well enough."

Then he turned back to coax me.

"Okay, okay, it's all my fault, alright? I shouldn't have lost my temper with you. You and Ernest are good friends, I know that. From now on I won't interfere, okay?"

Seeing how humble he was, most of my anger drained away.

But my mom was still watching me closely from the side.

So I deliberately raised my voice.

"You said it yourself! From now on, you don't get to control who I hang out with or where I go! And if you ever fight with me over Ernest again, we're getting divorced!"

The moment the word "divorce" left my mouth, my parents' and Neil's faces all changed.

The air seemed to freeze.

In the end, it was Neil who gave in first.

He sighed and looked at me, almost pleading.

"Fine, I won't interfere. As long as you don't say that word, I'll agree to anything."

In that moment, I was filled with the thrill of victory.

See, he still cares about me.

As long as I pull out my trump card, he has to fall in line.