Chapter 2

"Bang!" The fried chicken smacked hard against my head, sauce dripping down my hair and into my collar.

Before I could even react, a swift slap sent my head reeling to the side.

My head was buzzing. I pointed at him, utterly incredulous.

"You just hit me?!"

Tiffany, the owner, who had been busy in the back, rushed over with a worried look.

"What's going on? Liam, your wife is pregnant, and pregnant women are so emotional. If she did something wrong, you just need to be more understanding."

She shot me a sly glance, a smug smirk playing on her lips in the shadows.

Liam, who had just been furious, instantly plastered on a smile. "Yes, you're right. You're so thoughtful."

Did something wrong?

All I said was I didn't want fried chicken anymore. I just wanted a salad!

For a pregnant woman, eating fried chicken every single day was totally unhealthy.

Tears welled up in my eyes, unbidden, as I clutched my enormous belly, feeling completely lost.

The whispers around me grew louder, and Liam awkwardly cleared his throat.

"Chloe, I'm trying so hard. Look, even for fried chicken today, I only ordered one for you. I didn't even get one for myself."

The cheap perfume Tiffany wore, mixed with the greasy smell of the fried chicken shop, grated on my nerves.

But my good manners, however, wouldn't let me make a scene. I took a deep breath, hastily wiped my face with a tissue, and started to leave.

Tiffany, still grinning, stopped Liam. "Liam, what about this broken plate…?"

"Oh, my bad. It messed up your business. I'll pay for the plate."

He spoke fawningly, then turned to everyone in the shop. "My apologies, everyone! My treat tonight, order whatever you want!"

The customers cheered and clapped.

"What a generous guy!"

"We know a man's struggles!"

"Another 10 bottles of beer over here!"

Cheers erupted, mixed with boisterous shouts, drowning out everything else. My steps faltered, and my hands, hidden in my sleeves, clenched into fists.

For the first time in my life, I didn't wait for him. I hailed a cab and left alone.