Everything’s Better Without You

I sat on the couch in a daze until 7:30 pm when the door lock turned. Eli's mother, Amy Reeves, was back after a night of playing poker.

As soon as she stepped in, she raised her voice in anger. "What's wrong with my son sleeping with another woman? In fact, it's my money that he's spending! If you've got the guts, yell at me instead. What's the point of blaming Eli?"

She grabbed my hair harshly, adding, "You can't even satisfy your husband. What kind of woman are you?"

I no longer felt pain. I had done nothing wrong, yet I didn't dare fight back. It had been three years since I got pregnant. With no job or income of my own, I was completely stripped of the right to speak.

Six months after giving birth to our daughter, Hazel Daugherty, Eli wanted to sleep with me. The pain of childbirth was still fresh in my mind, so I refused. Despite this, he pestered me relentlessly, and eventually, I gave in.

Halfway through, he secretly removed the contraceptive for his own pleasure. When I found out, I lashed out at him. He instantly lost interest and never brought it up again.

A week later, his friend came to persuade me. He told me, "You need to satisfy his needs."

"How could you be so cruel? Are you trying to suffocate my son to death?" Amy shouted.

A video I had seen before on bigamy suddenly surfaced in my mind.

After a moment's daze, I smiled. "Amy, tell Eli to bring her over. Haven't you always wanted a grandson?"

I moved Hazel's and my belongings to the secondary bedroom and even laid out bright red sheets for them. Less than two hours later, Eli returned with his mistress.

She looked very young, no more than 20 years old, yet there was a hint of charm in her gestures. Her chest was full, making her waist seem even slimmer. Her red manicure made her hands look paler.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Eli was only 22 years old himself. They were indeed quite a match.

Amy held the woman's hand with motherly affection while Eli gazed at her with the same tenderness he once had for me.

I glanced at my reflection in the mirror by the entrance.

I noticed my old, worn-out clothes and dry, lifeless hair. I looked just like a housemaid. My battered appearance almost made me forget that I was only 24 years old, in my prime.

Indeed, it would be nauseating to look at me. A saying went: as long as one endured, life's hardships would never end.

With a self-mocking smile, I said, "You're back, honey."

The woman rose triumphantly and extended her hand to me. "Hello, I'm Eli's girlfriend. My name is Beatrix Green."

I held her hand and replied, "Hello, Bix. You don't mind if I call you that, do you?"

Her hand was indeed smooth and soft

She sneered, pulled her hand back, and wiped it on her skirt as if she had touched something dirty. "Sure, why not?"

I awkwardly withdrew my hand and said, "I'll go cook dinner. Honey, take Bixie to the bedroom and see if she likes the sheets."

An hour later, the table was filled with delicious dishes.

Hazel played with her dolls on the couch while Amy watched TV.

Without even glancing at me, Amy ordered, "Keri, go call Eli downstairs for dinner."

As I approached the master bedroom, sounds reached me, making me blush and my ears burn. While I raised my hand to knock, Beatrix's joyful yet painful moans suddenly intensified.

Eli's breathless voice followed. "Bixie, you're so…"

Was this meant to provoke me?

As I lifted my hand again to knock, the door opened. Beatrix stood there in a camisole. Her face was flushed, with noticeable red marks on her neck.

"Keri, did you come to tell us that dinner is ready? Eli didn't want to let me go until just now. Sorry to keep you waiting."