Hearing that, Yvonne's smile faded, replaced by a look of grievance.
Jasper glanced at me. Seeing no reaction from my end, he picked up a crayfish for me, then another for Yvonne.
"Hazel, you've always loved crayfish. I even learned to make it just for you."
My table was covered in bright red, explosively spicy dishes. Hearing his words, it felt incredibly laughable. It was Yvonne Lake who loved crayfish and it was she who loved spicy food.
Because of him, I suffered a stomach injury years ago, leaving it very sensitive. I've disliked spicy food and been unable to eat it ever since a fact he's completely forgotten.
Jasper put dish after dish onto my plate, urging, "Hazel, eat up! Don't you love spicy food the most?"
I was never the one who loved spicy food. I wanted to tell him, but in the end, I endured the discomfort in my stomach and ate all the dishes.
Soon after eating, I ran to the bathroom and threw up violently. Later that night, my stomach was cramping with sharp pains and I was covered in cold sweat.
Jasper wasn't in bed. I forced myself through the discomfort to the living room to look for medicine.
Before I even reached it, I saw the living room lights on and heard a man's gasps and a woman's seductive moans.
My body stiffened. I walked closer and saw Jasper holding Yvonne in his arms.
Yvonne was naked, not wearing a stitch, leaning intimately against Jasper.
Even though I already knew about their relationship, I never expected them to do such things at home. My vision blurred and I nearly collapsed.
I finally stood up. My stomach was aching and I could only lean against the wall to barely support my body.
Just as I started calming down and trying to leave, I heard Yvonne panting as she confronted Jasper.
"Jasper, who do you truly love in your heart? Hazel or me?"
I paused. Then came his answer without the slightest hesitation. "You, of course."
His words were firm and decisive, piercing my already numb heart.
My hand trembled as I clutched my chest, only to realize that even numbness could still feel pain.
"But everyone says Hazel is your capable assistant and that you owe your success to her. You've had decades of history together. I can't compare to Hazel."
Her voice held a hint of grievance. Jasper lowered his head and kissed her deeply, a shadow crossing his eyes when he heard the first few sentences.
He scoffed, "Sage Enterprise has been built entirely by my own hands these past years. Everyone knows she helped me, but without me, there would be no Sage Enterprise at all."
"Besides, as a man, why would I need her protection? She only did that to make outsiders humiliate me."
"Now her ambition is growing. She's not like you, obedient and sensible. Evie, you're so much better than Hazel, that tomboy."
"Evie, are you still questioning my love for you? If I didn't love you, I wouldn't have made it so Hazel can never get pregnant again."
The intimate sounds in the living room continued. I leaned against the wall, head tilted back, trying to keep the tears from falling, but I couldn't stop them.
I never imagined he thought of me this way. Decades of knowing each other, yet it couldn't stand up to human nature.
