Lily pulled Jack behind her, disapprovingly
<
trying to reason with me.
“Nora, don’t blame Jack, blame me. He did it to
fulfill my mother’s wish.”
“I’ll take full responsibility for my mother. No
matter how much you want, I’ll pay, as long as you and Jack reconcile.”
“If you’re still angry, hit me instead. I won’t complain.”
Lily’s manipulation was as skillful as ever.
Two simple sentences reignited Jack’s dissatisfaction with me.
He held Lily’s hand apologetically. “Lily, don’t
worry, you and Mom didn’t do anything wrong. I
won’t let you take responsibility.”
Then, he glared at me. “Nora, that’s enough!
Lily already apologized, why are you still
1
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<
11:46
“I shouldn’t have brought Lily to see your
mother! Waste of time and emotions!”
As always, Lily’s eyes gleamed triumphantly.
I’d seen their act countless times.
95
From initial jealousy and anger to exhaustion
and finally indifference, I’d paid a heavy price.
If I’d woken up sooner, my mother might not be in this state.
I looked at Jack, full of mockery.
“Jack, your ‘Mom‘ act is impressive!”
At our wedding, my mother gave him an $8,000 red envelope to persuade him to call her “Mom.”
Even then, he rarely called her “Mom” in the
five years we were married.
L
When upset, he’d call her “Hey.”
Then, I turned to Lily, “Instead of being
sarcastic and stirring things up, why not rush
home and check on your ‘newlywed husband‘?”
“You might even be able to say goodbye to
your mother.”
