Jason glanced at me nervously, then quickly tucked his phone away.
He hugged me with an apologetic look.
“Sorry, babe, something urgent came up at the office. I have to head over. Sleep early tonight.”
He kissed me loudly on the cheek and started changing clothes.
I caught his wrist, smiling coldly.
“If it’s work, I’ll come with you.”
A flicker of panic crossed his face, but he quickly covered it.
“No need. You’ve been tired lately. I’ll handle it.”
I pressed on.
“I can’t sleep alone anyway. I’ll keep you company.”
At that moment, his phone rang again—Emily.
Jason squatted down, looking me in the eye.
“Alright, the truth is—it’s Emily. She invited friends for her birthday. I didn’t bring you because you don’t know them. You wouldn’t enjoy it. Just stay home and watch TV. I’ll be back soon.”
Even as he spoke, Emily was already at our door, ringing the bell repeatedly.
From outside, her voice called:
“Good boy, did you calm your wife down? Don’t tell me she’s not letting you out again?”
Jason rushed to open the door.
“Okay, okay, let’s go!”
He barely let her in, shoving her out as he got dressed.
From the hallway I could hear Emily’s complaints: