I felt my tongue stiffen at the thought of calling her “Madam.” I took a deep breath. I wanted to stand my ground but decided against it. She seemed to relish the idea that she was already Arlo’s wife.
I entered the kitchen and slammed the plates into the dishwasher. Only Arlo had eaten, so there weren’t many dishes to wash.
I sighed. I thought I’d spend the whole day with Arlo here at his apartment, but I was wrong. Valerie had to show up so early, and she clung to Arlo like a leech.
I was starting to feel overwhelmed, my mind swirling with mixed emotions. As I wiped my hands with a towel, the kitchen telephone rang.
“Hello,” I answered.
“June, come here,” Arlo said in a firm tone before hanging up abruptly.
His mood swings were worse than a woman’s during her period. Earlier, I could feel the old Arlo’s warmth, but now he was acting like a grumpy professor. Shaking my head, I went to see what he needed.
When I reached the living room, he turned slightly to glance at me before speaking.
“Make us coffee,” Arlo instructed.
“Without sugar for me,” Valerie added.
When I asked if they needed anything else, they both shook their heads.
“Hope you get dizzy from all that head-shaking,” I muttered under my breath.
“Did you say something?” Valerie snapped at me, her sharp ears picking up my words.
“Nothing, Madam,” I replied, turning my back on them.
A few moments later, I returned with their coffee and overheard their conversation about their wedding. Valerie reminded Arlo that they needed to meet with their wedding planner later. Arlo had no choice but to agree to accompany her.
“Thank you,” Valerie said happily.
My heart pounded in my chest as Arlo gently held Valerie’s chin and kissed her on the lips. I almost dropped the tray I was holding. I felt an overwhelming urge to abandon my charade—it was becoming too painful. Watching the man I loved kiss someone else right in front of me was excruciating. The pain was unbearable, especially knowing there was nothing I could do because he was no longer mine.
I held back my tears, refusing to let them fall.
Even though my hands and knees were trembling, I gathered my courage and approached them to give them their coffee. I cleared my throat to get their attention.
They stopped kissing when they noticed me. I even heard Valerie whisper to Arlo, suggesting they spend intimate time together. I couldn’t take it anymore, seeing Valerie flirt so blatantly with Arlo. My jealousy got the better of me, and I accidentally dropped the tray I was holding. The mug nearly landed on Valerie’s foot.
“Stupid!” she screamed at me, her face contorted with anger.
If I hadn’t stepped back quickly, she would have slapped me. Arlo intervened and blocked her. He turned to me, yelling for me to leave.
His voice was so loud it felt like a bomb exploded in my ears. I ran to my room, shutting the door behind me. It was my fault I got yelled at—I should have been more careful.
I stayed in my room for nearly two hours, refusing to come out. After a while, I ventured out and found the apartment eerily quiet. No one was in the living room. I checked the library room—empty. When I went upstairs, I noticed Arlo’s bedroom door was open, but he wasn’t there either. He and Valerie must have left, and no one thought to inform me. Who was I to be told, anyway?
I cleaned up the spilled coffee on the floor.
After a few minutes, I finished tidying up. I sat down to rest and finally got the chance to talk to my twins over a video call. They kept pestering me to come. I managed to calm them down with reassuring words.
I also called Big Sister Violet and my secretary. Everything was going smoothly, and Big Sister Violet reminded me about the Davis Company Christmas party the following evening. I told her I’d attend because I wanted to talk to her in person. My final call was to my private investigator, instructing them to find out more about Valerie—how she met Arlo and any other relevant details.
By 3 PM, Arlo still hadn’t returned. I had cooked all his favorite dishes, but as night fell, there was still no sign of him. Exhausted from waiting, I dozed off in the living room. When I woke up and checked my phone, it was already 10:45 PM.
I got up, thinking he must be with Valerie. Of course, what else would an engaged couple be doing?
I put all the food I had prepared into the fridge, feeling disappointed about my wasted effort.
