Hold My Tear, I’m Getting My Wife Back!

Chapter 3

Curtis emerged from the bathroom with the soft sound of his footsteps padding across the carpet toward the other side of the bed. The mattress dipped as he slipped beneath the covers, a corner of the duvet lifting.

Leanne caught a whiff of a subtly cold fragrance, a crisp, penetrating scent that seemed to seep into her bones, the woody notes mixed with his body heat, with a hint of tobacco lingering in the background.-

It was Curtis’ signature scent.

The dim glow from the nightlight barely reached the bed, and the night was so still that their even breaths were the only sounds breaking the silence.

Each occupied half of the bed, setting a cold, invisible barrier between them.

After lying quietly for a while, Leanne gazed in Curtis’ direction. Maybe it was the darkness, but his features seemed more chiseled and distant.

“Aren’t you asleep yet?” she ventured.

Curtis’ weary, slightly irritable voice broke the silence of the dark, “Keep it down.”

Leanne touched the pendant around her neck and then turned her back to him.

When Leanne woke up the next day, Curtis was already up.

She got up, freshened up, and when she walked into the living room, she saw Curtis neatly dressed, sitting at the dining table, browsing the real-time stock quotes on his tablet.

He looked up briefly when he heard her. “Where’s Laura?”

Leanne opened the fridge. “I let her go.”

didn’t comment further.

better of it, and added slices of ham,

“Is this what you usually eat?”

step up from Leanne’s usual fare. Rushing to work in the mornings, she often settled for just a

retorted, “Take it or leave

and Leanne turned to see a timid feline

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11:13

Chapter 3

found a litter of strays huddled by the hospital during a downpour weeks ago. The newborn kittens were trembling, soaked to the

bones.

old enough to be adopted. She hadn’t

stray and wanted to bring it home. When she asked for his

had kept the cat confined to a spare room, but somehow, it had been clever enough to escape.

did this stray come

made Leanne uncomfortable. She went to pick up the cat, muttering,

should apply for

in the room, Leanne returned to find Curtis donning his coat and the untouched sandwiches

sentenced the cat to exile

Leanne didn’t engage.

than capable of housing a few kittens. Why must Curtis b so ruthless to creatures struggling to survive?

was wealthy, yet his

“What are you

accuse you?” Leanne retorted. “ll ensure they’re confined and won’t escape again. I’ll disinfect the