"Mom, why did you hit Kelly?"
The memories jumbled chaotically, frozen in a small photo in my hand.
That year, after divorcing Kelly, I burned all the things related to her, but I didn't expect there was still one left here.
Just as I was about to toss it into the trash, a knock suddenly sounded at the door.
I thought it was Candice. She used to visit at this time of year, so I opened the door.
But instead, it was Leo with his arm around Kelly. He grinned widely.
“Mac, long time no see! You haven’t changed a bit after all these years.”
"Kelly could not say no to me. We hope our sudden visit won't bother you, right?"
I looked at the two calmly. “I won’t invite you in. What do you want?”
Met with a curt reply, Leo looked at the woman beside him with an aggrieved expression.
"Leo just wanted to see you and give you a gift, that's all."
Then she put the gift in her hand on the entryway cabinet.
Leo immediately began to introduce the product enthusiastically.
“This set of men's skin care products has become my favorite recently. It just so happens that there is one more set at home. We used to share our own things, so I wanted to give it to you.”
When I glanced at it, it seemed it was the same as the one Hans, the butler, used.
Leo looked at the photo I was holding and suddenly, his eyes welled with tears. "Mac, after so many years, you still can’t let go, huh?”
I crumpled the photo and tossed it into the trash casually. "Don't flatter yourself."
It seemed he was about to take my hand, but he stopped midway.
“I know you still have grudges. If you and Kelly were still together, it so happened that today would be your wedding anniversary.”
“What happened back then … was beyond my control. If you really don’t care anymore, let us treat you to dinner. If there’s anything you need help with, tell us. After all, we're old friends."
I hardly needed to think and was ready to refuse … but suddenly, the candles in front of the shrine flickered. So I smiled faintly and changed my mind.
“Okay.”
Leo was more talkative than before. His small movements also became more frequent.
While talking about a romantic trip with Kelly in Turkey last month, he used his fingers to apply her own lip balm to her lips while waiting for the traffic light.
“Every fall and winter, I have to remind you to use this. Last time, when I kissed you a bit too hard, it bled. When will you learn?”
Kelly swatted his hand away, as if a bit irritated. “Stop fooling around.”
"Ah, Honey. I completely forgot about it. Mac, you don't mind it, right? Kelly and I always act like this."
I interrupted him with extreme patience. “Of course not.”
“I've already seen the two of you rolling in bed back then. Why would I mind something this mild now?”
Silence filled the car.
Finally ... it’s quiet.
I looked at the scenery along the way and remembered that if my mother were still there, she would be amazed by the changes now.
Back then, when my father insisted on divorcing my mother for Emily, it almost drove her insane.
And the fact that I married Kelly behind her back—killed her.
At first, I hated my father and Emily because they betrayed my mother and forced her to change from an invincible woman to a resentful woman who made a fuss about a trivial matter in a short period of time.
Time seemed to pass on her with extra force, taking away her vitality bit by bit.
Later, I hated myself.
