Chapter 1375 "Cassie, you've changed, you've fallen."
She jumped up all freaked out but didn't see her foot snagged on the stool, so down she went, dragging the chair with her.
Pain shot through her like a lightning bolt.
She was about to bawl her eyes out.
"Hey, you okay? Get up." Michael rushed over, trying to help her and the chair up. "You didn't hurt yourself, did you?"
He reached out, touching the back of her head, giving it a gentle rub.
Laura jerked away, eyes wide. "Michael, are you possessed or something?"
Michael's face darkened. He'd finally worked up the nerve to spill his guts, and she thought he was nuts.
"I'm totally sane." He gritted his teeth. "Is it that weird that I like you?"
"Of course it is. We've been at each other's throats since day one," Laura said, looking all conflicted. "And you've done a ton of stuff that hurt me."
"That was ages ago," Michael said, frustrated. "I was a total idiot back then. If I could do it over, I'd never treat you like that. Laura, we're married now, got kids and all. I really like you and wanna make this work. I won't pull the same crap as before. If I do something that bugs you, just tell me, and I'll fix it."
"Enough, just stop."
Laura was about to lose it. She covered her ears. "I need to chill."
She bolted upstairs, not even thinking about breakfast.
Michael was left there, troubled. Was it really that weird that he liked her?
"Do you really like Laura?"
Elliott's cold voice cut through the air from behind.
Michael spun around and saw Elliott's stern, handsome face, which made him jump. "Elliott."
"Do you actually like her, or are you just saying that to dodge a divorce for the kids' sake?" Elliott stared at him, eyes full of scrutiny.
"Of course, I really like her," Michael blurted out.
"Then what do you like about Laura?" Elliott raised an eyebrow. "All I remember is you two always fighting."
"Just 'cause we argue doesn't mean I can't like her." Michael scratched his neck. "And every time we bicker, her angry face is kinda cute. Some folks catch feelings through arguments, right?"
Elliott said coldly, "I don't see any feelings growing from your fights. All I see is her wanting to divorce you out of anger."
Michael went quiet.
Even though it was true, hearing it out loud stung.
"I heard you had a crush on some woman for over ten years." Elliott suddenly switched gears, making Michael squirm.
"That was forever ago."
"Back then, you treated that woman like a queen. Never said a bad word to her, and you'd drop everything to be by her side, even if you were abroad. If anyone talked smack about her, you'd lose it."
"Since you don't treat Laura the same way, what right do you have to say you like her? Do you think Laura's less than that woman?" Elliott snorted and turned to leave.
Michael stood there for a bit, just letting Elliott's words sink in.
That chat with Elliott suddenly made everything click.
Should he treat Laura the same way he treated Megan?
Upstairs.
Laura was sprawled on the bed, her mind still a mess.
That jerk Michael actually said he liked her.
Like?
Where did he show that he liked her? She couldn't see it at all.
Was he trying to trick her into staying as a free babysitter?
She shot up and called Cassie.
But no answer.
Laura was frustrated. Cassie was the best person to talk to about this stuff.
Since Cassie didn't pick up, she kept calling.
Cassie finally answered, but her voice sounded all sultry.
And there was Joseph's annoyed, raspy shout from the side, "Who the hell is it? Are they nuts, calling nonstop?"
"Shut up, get lost." Cassie snapped.
"Cassie."
"It's Laura. It might be important." Cassie was almost pleading.
"Fine, I'll come back later." Finally, Joseph's grumpy voice faded away.
Laura checked the time and was shocked. "Did I interrupt you guys having sex?"
"It's almost 11 a.m., and you're still in bed?" Laura was amazed. "You guys have no chill. Aren't you exhausted?"
"Shut up." Cassie was embarrassed. "You don't get it. With kids, some things can only happen during the day."
"Cassie, you've totally fallen. Joseph's corrupted you."
"Why did you keep calling? Are you gonna tell me you're getting a divorce?" Cassie cut her off, changing the subject.
"No," Laura immediately remembered why she called and got all complicated again. "But I'm shocked. Michael actually confessed to me. He said he likes me. What does he mean by that? Does he think that by saying he likes me, I'll just stay and be a free mom, provide free milk, and give Maeve a complete family? Is he trying to trick me? How could he possibly like me?"
"Why not?"
"Is that really how he shows he likes me? Look at how well he treated Megan before. He never treated me like that. He only knows how to piss me off, call me an idiot, and say I make him sick. He even say if it weren't for him marrying me, no one else would. Do you think he'd dare say that to Megan?"
Cassie was almost swayed by Laura's words.
But then Cassie remembered Michael and Joseph drinking last night.
"I think you're giving Michael too much credit," Cassie said. "With his emotional intelligence, he couldn't come up with a plan to trick you into staying for the kids. And Michael isn't inherently a jerk. The crappy things he did before were because he was misled."
"That's true."
Cassie giggled. "And why can't Michael like you? We were the hottest girls in Silverwood back then. During school, you got as many love letters as I did. Whenever we went out, we were always the center of attention. Besides, if he could like someone like Megan, isn't it more normal for him to like you?"
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