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

Chapter 6

Jennifer shot Curtis a withering look. “Kid, stop babbling nonsense.”

Maddox’s stoic face was the picture of silence. His years hadn’t acquainted him with the slang of youth. He tried to make sense of it, but “popping out kittens” seemed more like a symptom of a gynecological or a psychiatric issue. It wasn’t his place to inquire too directly.

“Anne… are you feeling unwell?” he asked.

Leanne’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she hastened to say, “No, he’s just talking nonsense.”

After dinner, Curtis and Maddox hunkered down in the study for some time. Jennifer brought them some coffee and lingered longer than expected.

Leanne had been waiting in the living room. She hadn’t slept well the night before, and after a whole day of work, it wasn’t long before she dozed off on the couch.

Sarah, the household’s housekeeper, came over and gently woke her. “Leanne.”

Leanne rubbed her eyes. “Time to go?”

“Mr. Curtis and Mr. Maddox are still discussing matters. He won’t be leaving anytime soon.”

Sarah had been looking after Leanne since she was a child, treating her as her own. “Your old room is all tidied up. Do you want to go upstairs and rest a bit?”

Leanne rarely visited, except for holidays or when Jennifer called. She wouldn’t come or her initiative.

remnants of her childhood, though not much

asked Sarah for a cardboard box, and after packing, she descended the stairs

over the box

was little. I forgot to take them with

enigmatic expression that wasn’t quite a

said, “Next time, don’t talk nonsense before

stopped, loosened his tie, and glanced at her sideways. “Weren’t those your own

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11-14 E

Chapter 6

joke,” Leanne insisted. “You throwing it around

Curtis

of what you say. Mark what can

Leanne recognized the sarcasm.

out on you.” she explained.

explanation and turned to continue downstairs.

felt dwarfed by his shadow, elongated by the dim light of the

to keep up and soon lagged.

was already parked at the front. Curtis stood by the car, lighting a cigarette. The ember flared in his fingers, the wind

his smoke. “What’s with those legs

I’m carrying a box?’ but didn’t