He turned to me and explained, "Aria just got back and isn't familiar with the area. I need to fulfill my duties as a host."
Aria was Arthur's junior at university. After graduating, she went abroad to further her studies and recently returned to Mayby.
Since her return, she had captured Arthur's complete attention.
In truth, in Arthur's heart, I was merely his wife, not his beloved.
A wife was a symbol to present to the world, a facade for appearances.
My profession as a university lecturer did indeed complement his image.
A beloved, on the other hand, was his flesh and blood, his soulmate.
I understood the distinction between the two, but I naively believed that effort could bridge the gap, so I always tried my best to cater to his preferences.
He was a man of few words, so I filled the silence with mine. He disliked dealing with trivial matters, so I took on the responsibility of managing the household, allowing him to focus on his career.
But he always remained distant.
Just now, I even detected a hint of relief in his words of comfort.
A wave of bitterness washed over me. It seems that in Arthur's eyes, I am not worthy of being the mother of his child.