Looking at this face again, I just felt sick and turned my head away without answering.
Seeing this, the dean quickly tried to smooth things over, “Adopting a child is not a trivial matter. Many families would consider it again and again. Mrs. Herschel just wants to think about it again.”
Herschel frowned, walked up to me and held my shoulders, somewhat dissatisfied as he asked, “Sallie, didn't we agree on this? Why are you going back on your word?”
I smelled the perfume he used to cover up the smell and pushed him away expressionlessly.
“Where does that perfume come from?” I asked in a cold tone.
Herschel's face froze and he explained in a panic.
“I just ran into Liza, she's volunteering here and I had a conversation with her. I guess I got her perfume smell accidentally.”
Liza smiled and hooked her hair, revealing the kiss mark on her neck, then stretched out her hand towards me, pretending to be envious.
“Long time no see, old classmate. You are married to Herschel now. I guess you are living a happy life. But why do you look old?” she asked with a grin on her face.
I looked at her white and tender fingers doing manicures and then looked at my own hands covered with calluses from overwork and felt dazed.
When I was in school, I loved beauty the most and I would change my manicure every month. But after being with Herschel, I never dressed up properly again.
He had a bad stomach, so I learned how to cook and make soup. He was busy starting his own business, so I took care of all the housework.
How ridiculous!
In just five short years, I had been worn down by the daily necessities of life, but this had become an excuse for him to not love me.
Seeing that my expression was not right, Herschel gave Liza a warning look.
But in the end, he did not say anything and just changed the subject, “Sallie, why do you suddenly not want to adopt Carlos? I have already promised Mom that I would bring him home today.
“You know, Mom has always wanted to have a grandson. I cannot bear to disappoint her and it can also ease the family atmosphere.
“And Carlos is so young, how pitiful he is in the orphanage. Aren't you the kindest person? How could you bear to see another child suffer?”
“Enough!” I could not stand it anymore, so I slapped his hand away. The emotions I had been suppressing finally burst out and I yelled at him. “Who will feel sorry for my child? He is not even a month old, he did not even have a chance to be born!”
Without waiting for him to respond, I spoke firmly, “You can take Carlos home, but the formalities must be completed at the end of the month! I cannot bear to see another child appear under my name the day after I lost one.”
I would be divorced and leave at the end of the month, so they could make as much noise as they want.
When he heard the deadline of half a month, a trace of panic flashed across Herschel's face. He even suspected that I knew it all, but he quickly convinced himself that I was just too sad.
Thinking of the lost child, Herschel felt a little bit reluctant and agreed quickly, “Okay, we’ll come back at the end of the month to complete the formalities. Sallie, don't be sad anymore and don't worry about your health.”
After saying that, he smiled apologetically at Liza and said, “Sallie is not very emotionally stable, I need to take care of her. Thank you for taking Carlos with you. My mother also wanted to thank you for introducing Carlos to her.”
Liza glanced at me and gave a smug smile before answering, “It doesn't matter. I have not seen my aunt for a long time after all.”
When Herschel drove out, I subconsciously opened the passenger door, but touched Liza's hand.
Liza looked at me in surprise, then said embarrassedly while holding the child, “I feel carsick, could you please sit in the back?”
After saying that, he looked at Herschel with a look of grievance.
I did not move, but just smiled and asked, “Herschel, what do you choose?”
The man was silent for a few seconds and looked apologetic to me as he said, “Sallie, she is not feeling well, please let her go.”
I curled my lower lip in self-mockery, but also felt disappointed that it was just as I expected.
I suddenly remembered that when we bought the car, he enthusiastically labeled the passenger seat of all the cars as a wife-only seat and hugged me as he made the promise, “Sallie, my passenger seat is only open for you.”
At that time, those promises were no longer valid.
I watched Liza proudly sit in the passenger seat. The stickers in the front row were ironic and glaring. I just went to the back seat in silence.
I would not ask for any special seat anymore, since I would not ask for him anymore.
