Chapter 4

After she said that, she took off the apron and tossed it onto the chair.

“I’ll move his things over today. Think carefully about what you should do.”

The door was slammed shut once again.

I sat at the dining table, looking at the untouched breakfast.

So the apology and the money transfer weren’t to ask for my forgiveness.

They were just groundwork for the announcement that came after.

At three in the afternoon, they came back.

Sylvia was carrying two large suitcases.

Ryan followed behind her, holding a cardboard box.

When he saw me, a hint of fear appeared on his face.

“William, I’m only staying here temporarily. I’ll move out very soon.”

Sylvia set the suitcases in the middle of the living room.

“What do you mean temporarily? Just stay here with peace of mind. This is the key to the guest room.”

She handed a set of keys to Ryan.

Ryan didn’t take them. He looked at me.

“William, do you agree?”

I didn’t look at him.

I looked at Sylvia.

“This is your decision. No need to ask me.”

Sylvia was very satisfied with how sensible I was being.

She helped Ryan push his luggage into the guest room.

I stood where I was, watching the door to that room close.

That guest room was where my mom would stay whenever she came over.

The sheets and duvet cover inside were ones I had just changed last month, washed clean, carrying the scent of sunlight.

Now, it belonged to another man.

That night, I cooked dinner.

Three dishes and a soup.

I only set out two sets of bowls and chopsticks, mine and Sylvia’s.

Sylvia came out of the room and glanced at the dining table.

“Where is Ryan’s bowl?”

“I didn’t cook his dinner.”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, I’m only responsible for cooking for the two of us. With one extra person, I can’t do it.”

Ryan happened to come out of the guest room and heard that. His face turned a little awkward.

“It’s okay. I already ate outside.”

Sylvia’s expression looked awful.

“William, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” I admitted it. “I’m doing it on purpose.”

That meal had three people and two completely different atmospheres.

Sylvia and I ate in silence.

Ryan sat on the couch, holding his phone, glancing at us from time to time.

After dinner, I carried the bowls and chopsticks into the kitchen.

Sylvia followed me in.

“You embarrassed me today.”

“When you brought another man home to live here, did you ever think about my dignity?”

“That’s different. He needs help.”

“So do I.”

She froze.

“I need a home without outsiders in it. Can you help me with that?”