By the time I finished all the rigmarole at the hospital and got home, it was already the next afternoon. Percival hadn't called me once.
It wasn't until evening, after I'd cooked some instant noodles, that he returned with a thermal food container.
"Why didn't you cook today?" he asked, looking at me for a long moment before remembering I'd been to the hospital. "Are you feeling better?"
I gave a noncommittal sound and pushed the freshly cooked instant noodles towards him. "I added an egg. Will you take some to Willow?"
In the past, I would have raised a ruckus, demanding to know why he would forget about me because of Willow. But now, my calmness seemed to unsettle Percival.
"Instant noodles aren't good. I'll make you a bowl of chicken noodle soup," he offered, unusually considerate.
"No need. You should hurry and take the food to Willow," I replied.
Percival felt I was speaking in contradictions. "Violet, I thought you finally matured," he sneered. "Turns out you're still petty. Willow is my junior. She's alone and destitute in this city. Am I wrong to take care of her?"
Back then, when my mom was sick, Percival had said similar things. "Violet used to be alone and struggling in this city. But now that she has me, I'll take good care of her and never leave her alone."
Percival's phone interrupted my thoughts. "Percival, it's really bothering Violet for you to bring me food," Willow's voice came through the speaker.
Percival glanced at me. "It's fine. Violet even mentioned coming with me to see you."
After hanging up, Percival took my hand. Staring at our hands entwined together, I felt a moment of dizziness.
"Violet, look how understanding Willow is. As her sister-in-law, you shouldn’t be jealous, alright?"
Indeed, Willow was very understanding. She posted intimate photos of the two of them on Instagram every day to thank Percival for his "care."
At the hospital room door, Percival finally let go of my hand. "Violet, I'm heading to the nurse's station. You go on in."
The moment Willow saw me, the joy in her eyes vanished. "Violet, why are you here?"
"I brought you food," I said, placing the container on the table and preparing to sit down.
But Willow stood up and walked over to me. "Violet, I'm really glad to see you." She hugged me, the sudden intimacy nauseating. As I raised a hand to push her away, she fell to the ground.
She covered her face, her eyes reddened as she looked at me. "Violet, it's all my fault. Please don't be angry. I promise not to see Percival again from now on, okay?"
"You..."
Before I could finish, Percival rushed in and shoved me to the ground. He helped Willow up tenderly, glaring at me with fury. "Violet, don't be so cruel!"
Willow teared up, turning to Percival. "Percival, I really didn't send those messages to Violet. You must believe me."
"What messages?!" Percival and I said simultaneously.
Without a word, Percival pulled my phone from my pocket. Willow's phone also dropped out.
"Violet Harlow, even if you have Percival, his heart belongs to me."
"Even if you marry Percival, you're still the unlovable third wheel!"
"Percival, I didn't send those messages, really," Willow choked out, taking a step back. "Violet said she needed to borrow my phone. I didn’t expect her to do this..."
"Smack!"
Percival slapped me hard. Pointing to the door, he shouted, "Get out! We’re getting divorced tomorrow!"
