Chapter 2

I pulled out the bracelet, forcing a smile as I offered my well-wishes. “Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.”

I also handed over the tea I had picked up for Charles.

Even though it was Mother’s Day, I didn’t want to leave my father-in-law out.

Mary’s eyes lit up the moment she saw the price tag on the bracelet, her smile widening with delight as she praised Leonard for marrying such a wonderful wife.

Charles, too, showered me with compliments.

Mary, who had always been distant with me, suddenly turned warm, even scooping soup into my bowl. “Eat up, Veronica. You’ll need your strength to give us a big, healthy grandson.”

As I sipped the soup, bittersweet memories filled my mind.

Leonard and I once had a child... but we couldn’t keep him.

The rest of the evening was full of laughter and warmth, but as I watched Charles—so genuine and kind—I couldn’t wrap my head around how Mary could feel so lonely and unsettled.

I was conflicted, unable to bring myself to confront her about what I had witnessed, leaving me in silent torment.

The next day around noon, while helping with lunch, I saw my chance to bring it up.

“Mom, I’ve been hearing a lot lately about Black men showing up in the nearby neighborhoods. Do you think that’s true?”

Mary’s hand hesitated for just a moment as she chopped the vegetables, but she quickly regained her composure, acting like nothing had happened. “Veronica, our country is more open now. Having foreigners here just shows how much we’ve grown in strength.”

Seeing she wasn’t going to admit anything, I dropped the subject.

I didn’t want to imagine what would happen if Leonard or Charles found out.

Still, I hesitated for a long time before finally speaking to Leonard.

His reaction was immediate—he slammed his utensils down in a fit of rage. “What nonsense are you talking about, Veronica?! My mom has always treated you well, how could you accuse her like this?!”

I stared at him, unable to defend myself. “It’s true! Honey, I really saw it. I’ve been wrestling with whether to tell you for days.”

At that moment, Mary, playing the peacemaker, stepped in. “Leo, don’t argue with Veronica. Let’s talk this through calmly.”

I was seething inside.

In all the years I’d been married to Leonard, we’d had a happy life together, but the moment anything involved his mother, he completely lost all reason!

As soon as he heard Mary’s voice, Leonard’s attitude softened immediately. “Mom, Veronica said you brought a Black man home. I don’t know what nonsense she’s been spouting lately!”

Mary calmed Leonard down, though I had no idea what she said to him. His anger melted away, and, not wanting to stir things up again, I stayed quiet about it.

A few days later, Leonard told me he had a business trip and would be gone for two weeks. What I didn’t expect was that Mary would bring that Black man back again!

The sound of the shower echoed from the bathroom, mixed with the kind of noises that made my face burn with embarrassment.

I even heard him ask, “Does it feel good?”

Then Mary’s voice, soft and weak, replied, “It’s too much!”

I felt my face flush with a mix of shame and anger.

I thought after I had spoken to Leonard about it, she would stop!

But no—here she was, going to bed with that man again!

She was well into her senior years now yet had absolutely no sense of shame!

A little while later, the man stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in my towel, while Mary continued to shower inside.

I was overwhelmed with disgust, but curiosity got the better of me, and I quietly followed him.

I didn’t expect him to suddenly stop in his tracks and turn around.

Before I knew it, I bumped straight into him.

His scent instantly surrounded me, and the hard muscles of his body made my heart race. I could even feel his erection pressing against me!