Chapter 4

It was an incident that happened a few months ago, when Preston suddenly called me, whining that he was craving that mango mille-feuille from that popular cafe. I always felt bad for him for working so much, so I would always do my best to get him anything he wanted. I had just had a miscarriage then, but I still gritted my teeth and went out to get the mille-feuille. I waited in line for five brutal hours in the blazing sun just to get the last mango mille-feuille of the day. I then rushed to Preston's office as soon as I received it. I had no idea that after going all day without any water, my blood sugar would drop, and I would pass out in the middle of a busy intersection. It was a kind stranger who helped me and encouraged me to eat a few bites of the mango mille-feuille that I was holding to raise my sugar levels. I figured that since Preston and I had already been married for quite some time and often shared a piece of cake or drank from the same cup, it would be fine if I had a bite of the mille-feuille first. I couldn't have been more wrong, though. I had just limped to his office with the mille-feuille when his expression suddenly fell. Preston furiously pushed me away and snapped, "What were you thinking, Samantha? How could you expect anyone to eat something you have already touched? You only had a low blood sugar level, not a life-threatening illness! You're clearly just a glutton! You lie around at home all day, and you can't even perform a simple task correctly. You can forget about your allowance this month!" I couldn't help but blush with shame as all of his colleagues watched us. I was so mortified that I didn't know what to do. It was then that his assistant, Jesse Pratt, rushed over, took my arm, and pulled me toward the restroom, saying, "Please calm down, Mr. York. I'll take Mrs. York to get changed first since she's bleeding." Jesse had even noticed my injury, but Preston remained completely oblivious. Upon hearing what Jesse had said, Preston merely waved his hand in disgust. "Get out of here before you get your blood all over my office!" I bit my lip, feeling completely wronged as Jesse led me away. I hadn't even gathered my thoughts when I heard Melanie's sweet, innocent-sounding voice coming from outside the restroom. "Is it possible that Mrs. York knew that the mille-feuille was for me, so she got jealous and ruined it, Mr. York?" I noticed Jesse's flustered expression and immediately understood why she was so keen to get me out of the office. Preston cleared his throat and said softly, "I'm sure Samantha wouldn't do something like that, and that she had no idea that the mille-feuille was for you. It's just that she can be a bit careless at times. I'm certain that she's not trying to be malicious or anything." I couldn't help but feel a jumble of conflicting emotions when I listened to Preston, who was taking advantage of my feelings and defending me. Melanie, clearly upset that Preston was defending me, pouted and asked in a huff, "Are you implying that I have malicious intentions, then?" Preston immediately flashed an ingratiating smile. "How could that be? You're the best! How about I just cut off this month's allowance from that old hag of mine to appease you?" I found Preston's sycophantic demeanor to be both infuriating and revolting. Melanie, knowing that I was in the restroom, deliberately spoke louder so that I would hear her. "Oh my! What's a woman like her, who relies on her man, going to do without money? I'm so jealous of her for having a husband who spoils her, unlike me, who's helping you make the money to support your pampered wife, Mr. York." Melanie's phone pinged with a money transfer notification just before she had even finished talking. "Alright, alright. You don't have to be jealous now. I'll take the money I was going to give her and give it to you instead. You can use it to buy yourself a new handbag," Preston had texted. Melanie was finally appeased by Preston's response. "That's more like it. You can come over to my place tonight, and I'll reward you appropriately." I stood in the restroom, feeling completely numb all over while my heart ached so badly that I could barely breathe.