Chapter 38 The Existence of That Child
Maggie's business was booming tonight. She sold several pieces of jewelry in just a short while.
Seeing her own designs so well-received, she felt even more confident about tomorrow's interview.
During a break, Maggie made a video call to Arya, and while chatting casually, Arya suddenly gossiped, "Maggie, it seems like your cousin's husband has someone on the side."
"Isabella's husband?" Maggie was quite surprised, finding the development abrupt, "Mom, who told you this?"
"I saw it," Arya said again through the video call, a note of uncertainty in her voice, "Today, a man and woman came into the hotel and the guy looked a lot like your cousin's husband. I approached to say hello and, at that moment, he had his arms around another woman. They both seemed pretty uneasy when they saw me."
The mere sight of a man and woman entering a hotel together could easily set the rumor mill into overdrive.
Maggie quickly asked, "Mom, did you tell Auntie about this?"
"I haven't yet. I've been thinking it over," Arya replied with concern. "If it turns out I was mistaken, I could ruin Isabella' marriage, and that wouldn't be right. Isabella has been married for eight years with no children to show for it. I'm worried the man might be losing interest. Your Auntie takes such pride in her son-in-law. If there's trouble, she won't be able to handle it."
"Mom, if you're not completely sure, better not mention it," Maggie advised. "Bringing it up, true or false, no good will come of it."
In today's society, in 99% of the cases where a man has an affair, his wife is the last to find out.
Even if those close to them are aware, it's not easy to broach the subject.
Some truths are like delicate windowpanes—once punctured, they can lead to awkward situations, and those who point them out might even be blamed.
Aunt Olivia had always boasted about her daughter marrying into a good family. If Arya were to speak up, she might be accused of jealousy or stirring up trouble.
"I get what you're saying," Arya sighed, hoping she was just overthinking. "Maggie, don't stay out too late at the stall. I checked the weather forecast, and it's supposed to rain tonight."
Maggie glanced at the night sky, "Mom, the sky doesn't look like it's going to rain, and business is good today. I'll close up shop a bit later."
"Then have your husband pick you up. It's not safe for a young woman to be out there alone," her mother urged.
Arya had always worried about Maggie running her night stall. When Maggie started this job, Arya would accompany her whenever she could, and even when she couldn't, she would hardly rest until Maggie returned home.
Arya feared a repeat of an incident from years past that had left Maggie hurt.
To ease her mother's worries, Maggie told a white lie, "Alright, he said he'll come to get me later. Mom, you should rest early since you're not feeling well. I've got to go, a customer's here."
"Okay, you take care," Arya said as she ended the call, feeling a wave of loneliness as she sat in the quiet, empty house.
Arya sighed heavily, preparing to head to bed when she heard the sound of a child being scolded in the neighborhood.
The child's heart-wrenching cries echoed throughout the neighborhood, and Arya couldn't help but move to the window to look.
It was that family across the street disciplining their child again.
Arya listened with a heavy heart, her mind drifting back to the child she had lost years ago.
It was an unresolved issue in Arya's heart. She didn't want her daughter to follow in her troubled footsteps, having walked that difficult path herself.
At the night market.
Maggie worked until ten o'clock before closing up her stall. The weather forecast was off and there was no rain.
After packing up, Maggie started her car and headed home. Passing a bubble tea shop, she remembered that Fiorello enjoyed bubble tea, so she stopped and bought two cups just before the shop closed for the night.
When Maggie got home, Fiorello still wasn't back, and the house was eerily silent.
She turned on the lights, set the bubble teas on the table, and, drenched in sweat, went to take a shower in the bedroom.
After showering and wrapping herself in a towel, Maggie hadn't yet changed into clothes when her phone started ringing in the living room. Thinking it could be Fiorello calling and not at home, she wrapped the towel around her and went to answer the phone.
The call was from Dulcinea. Maggie put it on speakerphone and sat on the sofa, drying her hair.
While they chatted, noise came from the door—it was Fiorello returning.
He walked in to find Maggie in just a towel on the living room sofa, legs crossed, looking particularly enticing.
Maggie turned to look at him, and before she could speak, Dulcinea's voice came through the phone, “Maggie, you can't be too rigid as a woman. Try on the pajamas I gave you. I guarantee Fiorello will fall at your feet.”
Maggie was silent.
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