Chapter 1535
"Cynthia, I adore everything about you. Your smile is warmer than springtime, your voice sweeter than a nightingale’s song, your gaze as intense as the summer sun, and your scent more delightful than any flower. You are the goddess of my heart."
Albert had scoured the internet for romantic lines, yet nothing seemed to capture his feelings accurately. He had never pursued a mature woman like Cynthia before and had no idea how to win her over. He genuinely admired Kevin for having managed to win over Vanessa.
Vanessa was quite flirtatious, but no one had ever seen her get involved with any guy. The natural barrier between teachers and students wasn't easy to cross. After all, what mature woman in her right mind would be attracted to a teenage boy unless he had some extraordinary talent?
Albert racked his brain to compose a heartfelt message to Cynthia and sent it, anxiously awaiting her response. When he didn't hear back for a while, he grew increasingly agitated, wanting to call her and ask what was going on.
In reality, Cynthia had just taken a call from a business partner and hadn't had a chance to check Albert's message. When she finally saw it, she couldn't help but laugh, though she also felt she might have taken the joke too far. After all, Albert was in the throes of adolescence, brimming with hormones and naturally curious about the opposite sex. She remembered how Kevin had once secretly licked her foot. If Albert developed any inappropriate feelings for her, it could become problematic.
Ultimately, Cynthia decided to play it cool. She sent back a smiley face and didn't continue the conversation, then put her phone away and drove off.
After Cynthia left, Byron sighed with relief. He patted Tom on the shoulder and said, "Tom, you got lucky today. Cynthia didn't make a fuss. Why did you have to provoke her? We're just regular folks; we can't afford to mess with the police."
"So what if it's the police? Even if the County Executive's wife came, she'd have to be reasonable," Tom retorted with a cold laugh. "Byron, if you hadn't stopped me, I would have given her a piece of my mind."
"Let it go," Byron said with a chuckle, pulling Tom along. "You're too stubborn. We can't afford to offend these officials. They can fine us with just a word. Come on, let's have a drink."
The two entered Byron's shop. Byron set up a small table, grabbed some tofu products from the stall, and took a plastic jug of beer from the cabinet. He poured Tom a glass and said, "Tom, it's been a while since we had a drink together. Cheers."
The two were neighbors who didn't talk much but shared a love for drinking. Every few days, they'd get together to drink and vent about life, making them drinking buddies.
After a few drinks, Tom loosened up and said with a laugh, "Byron, I envy you. You have your own little business, no one to boss you around. You open and close whenever you want. Life seems pretty good."
"Running a small shop isn't all it's cracked up to be. Anyone can come and start trouble. Even thugs shake you down for protection money, and if you don't pay, they cause problems. The police don't care. All the money I make goes to those bastards," Byron grumbled, clearly tipsy.
"That's true. Business is tough these days. But at least you have a beautiful wife to go home to. Sleeping next to her must be nice. Unlike me, all alone," Tom said, half-jokingly. "Byron, you're lucky to have married Grace."
Byron fell silent, took a big gulp of his drink, and said with a sigh, "What's the use of beauty? I’d rather have an ugly wife."
Tom was taken aback by Byron's unusual response. "Byron, who wouldn't want a beautiful wife? Why are you complaining? If you don't want Grace, let her sleep with me. Would you really give her up?"
"I'm not joking," Byron said, a pained expression on his face. "Everyone thinks I'm lucky, but no one knows my suffering. No one would believe me even if I told them. Forget it, let's just drink." He poured himself another glass.
"Byron, don't be so down. Tell me what's going on. Maybe I can help. Don't keep it all to yourself," Tom urged. "Did you and Grace have a fight? Grace is beautiful and she's a high school teacher. It's normal for her to have a bit of a temper. Just let it go."
"You think I haven't tried? Since we got married, I've done everything for her. I do all the hard work, give her all my earnings, and never say a harsh word. Even when she's mad and doesn't talk to me for days, I put up with it," Byron retorted angrily. "But she doesn't care about me. She's still thinking about another man."
Tom was shocked. "Byron, you can't say things like that. You've been married for almost twenty years, and your kid is in high school. You have a great relationship. Don't make trouble for yourself."
"I'm not making it up. I have proof! But forget it, I don't want to talk about it," Byron said, visibly agitated.
He had found evidence in their bedroom—semen on the sheets—when he and Grace hadn't been intimate. Coupled with seeing Grace embrace Chase in their neighborhood, he was convinced Grace and Chase had rekindled their old flame and had sex in their home.
Byron could tolerate Grace and Chase having an affair, given their past relationship. But he couldn't accept Grace's blatant disrespect for his dignity by bringing Chase into their home. No man could endure such humiliation.
But he had no choice but to endure it silently. He even called Grace before coming home to avoid catching her in the act. He couldn't live without Grace and didn't dare to divorce her.
He usually kept his suffering to himself, but the alcohol loosened his tongue. Otherwise, he feared he might die from the stress.
Tom’s eyes flickered with understanding. Byron's reaction suggested there was more to the story. He didn't press for details, but it was clear Byron didn't match Grace's attractiveness. It wasn't surprising if Grace had an affair. What was surprising was that she had stayed with Byron for so long.
"Byron, let me be straight with you. Grace is beautiful, and many men must be interested in her. The real issue is Grace herself. You need to show some backbone. Women need to be pampered but not without principles. If you keep being a pushover, she'll lose respect for you. She married you, so she should respect you. If you're still a man, go home tonight and have a serious talk with her. If you can work it out, great. If not, divorce her. There are plenty of women out there."
"Talk? Sure, I'll talk. I've had enough," Byron said, his emotions running high. He slammed his glass down, took a swig from the bottle, and his face flushed with anger.
Seeing it was getting late, Tom got up to leave. Byron, swaying slightly, began to clean up, determined to confront Grace that night and reclaim his dignity.
Just then, someone walked into the shop. Byron, thinking it was a customer, waved them off impatiently. "We're closed. Come back tomorrow."
"Byron, living the good life, huh? Drinking before dark," the man said with a laugh.
Byron looked up and saw it was Chase. His face darkened. "What are you doing here? You're not welcome. Leave."
"Byron, got a temper now?" Chase laughed, finding a seat. "How's business? Making ten grand a month?"
"What's it to you?" Byron snapped, feeling embarrassed. His business was decent but not highly profitable. After taxes and bribes, he made four to five thousand on a good month, less than three thousand on a bad one. Ten grand was out of reach.
"It matters," Chase said. "I have a business opportunity for you. I know a restaurant manager who could order from you. At least thirty grand a month, paid monthly. Interested?"
"Is this for real?" Byron was tempted but suspicious. Chase wouldn't be so generous without a reason.
"It's real," Chase said, dialing a number and handing Byron the phone. "Talk to him yourself."
A man's voice came through, confirming he was from a food processing plant supplying supermarkets. He said if Byron's products were good, they could sign a one-year contract, potentially extending it.
It was genuine. Byron was conflicted. The man standing before him had been involved with his wife, yet he was offering a lucrative deal. Chase was Grace's first love. If Chase hadn't left her, Byron wouldn't have married Grace. In a twisted way, he considered himself the fortunate one.
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