He Let Her Sit in My Seat

When my husband came to pick me up from the hospital, my best friend was sitting in the passenger seat.

Her smile was still bright and generous, but she showed no intention of giving up the seat.

Long time no see. You dont mind me sitting in front, do you, Claire?

Felix in the drivers seat said nothing, simply changing the subject.

"How did the hospital checkup go?"

I clutched the pregnancy test report in my hand, opened the back door, and said slowly.

"Just indigestion."

I thought Moira wouldnt show up at todays class reunion.

After all, Id heard shed been abroad for three years and was doing quite well.

If Id known she was coming, I definitely wouldnt have attended.

"Im telling you, Claire, youre still as delicate as ever. Who goes to the hospital for indigestion?"

"Such a waste of medical resources."

She flicked the decorative ornament Id placed in the car.

"And Felix, this car costs several hundred thousand at least, but youve decorated it so girly. Are you even a man?"

Felix just stared ahead, chuckling with amusement. "She likes it."

"Ugh, I cant stand this. Such a cool car, dressed up like something ridiculous."

"I can buy you one if you want."

"Please, dont play big boss with me. Without me, whod carry you to victory in ranked games?"

The curve of Felixs lips was captivating. I hadnt seen him smile like this in ages.

The cars air conditioning was on full blast, and my heart felt as if ice-cold water had been poured into it.

I pulled a thin blanket over myself.

"Are you cold?" Felix frowned at me in the rearview mirror, preparing to turn up the temperature.

Moira in the front seat suddenly pressed down on his hand.

"Hey! But Im so hot. If youre cold, why dont you open the window and let some warm air in?

Were almost there anyway, so just bear with it."

Their hands naturally overlapped until Felix saw me nod, then he withdrew his hand to focus on driving.

"One of you cant stand the cold, the other cant stand the heat.

I really dont know how you two lived in the same dorm room before."

This time Moira didnt respond.

I smiled.

"Have you forgotten? Back then she was always running around with you, hardly ever stayed in the dorm."

Felix said nothing. Moira also lowered her head and started fiddling with her phone.

The silence in the air felt like some kind of guilty conscience.

Moira and I had known each other since childhood.

Her father died early, and her mother was our familys housekeeper.

Wed slept in the same bed, dressed each others dolls together, shared the same pack of sanitary pads, and stayed up late talking about the boys in our classes.

It was only much later that I realized wed both fallen in love with Felix.

At first, I would occasionally bring Moira along on dates. Felix had some complaints about this.

But I never expected that gradually, when three of us went out together, I became the one sent to buy drinks.

Occasionally, they would attend gatherings with friends together.

Without inviting me.

Because I didnt like gaming, couldnt go bird hunting in the mountains, and didnt dare participate in their groups street racing activities.

But Moira was interested in all of theseeven if she didnt know how, she was willing to learn.

I never thought their behavior crossed any lines. I only felt blessed.

My best friend and my boyfriend were good friends.

It was like we were one harmonious family.

Until one day, she bet me on whether Felix would choose her or me.

She lost, but it seemed I didnt win either.

Moira went abroad. The spot and funding were all provided by Felix.

She said she wanted to study overseas, and he gave his full support.

As for me, as the protagonist of an arranged marriage between two families, he had no right to refuse.

The gathering was even more unbearable than Id imagined.

Someone ordered a pizza with a strong smell. My stomach churned, and I covered my mouth, excusing myself from the table with claims of discomfort.

The restroom was inside the private room, with mediocre soundproofing.

So when Moira said shed returned to the country to pursue her love, I heard it crystal clear.

A wave of jeering voices flooded into my ears like a tide.

"Who could make Moira chase after them? Tell us!"

"I wouldnt dare say. I might make someone angry."

"Just say it. Who would dare get angry with you? Worst case, Ill help you pursue them." This was Felixs voice.

"You said it."

"Yeah."

"That person is far away in the horizon, yet close before your eyes."

The room outside suddenly fell silent, frozen like my breath.

Gradually laughter returned. I heard Felixs helpless voice.

"Moira, stop playing around."

I pushed the door open.

Only then did I discover that Moira had calmly taken my seat, leaning against Felix, her eyes still holding affection she hadnt withdrawn.

Felix was the first to stand and walk over, his eyes full of concern. "Feeling better?"

Like so many times before, the slightest show of emotion from him could make me feel like I was bathed in spring breeze.

No matter what happened, as long as he spoke, I would automatically let everything slide.

Because his dignity was more important than my emotions.

And he seemed certain that I would always be understanding.

I looked up at him and slapped him hard across the face.

Those usually cold and composed eyes suddenly showed a moment of confusion.

Moiras scream rang out from nearby.

"Claire! Have you lost your mind!"

I just stared coldly at the man Id loved for so many years. "Felix, lets get divorced."

Felix had always treated me well.

As a husband, he was nearly perfect.

The Harper family had strict rules. He knew exactly what attitude to take toward his wifes behavior.

So when I slapped him in public and declared I wanted a divorce, he only frowned.

"Claire, lets talk about this when we get home."

Everyone else was silent, except Moira speaking loudly.

"If you have something to say, say it properly.

Dont get physical. Why dont I come home with you both, I could"

I finally gave her my first proper look of the day.

"Come home with us? Who do you think you are?"

Felixs brow remained furrowed. "Claire, Moiras just trying to help. You dont need to be so sensitive."

He didnt say a word when I slapped himbut the moment my tone toward Moira was slightly harsh, he suddenly became talkative.

My vision finally blurred.

But I didnt expect Moiras tears to fall before mine.

"Claire, did you hear what I said earlier as a joke? If youre uncomfortable, I apologize right now."

She bent at the waist, her tears falling onto the carpet.

I just stared at her coldly.

"Actually, you dont need to take it to heart. You might not know this, but Felix and I often joke like this. All the guys know about it."

"Ive been away from the country so long, I almost forgot you two are married. Its all my fault..."

The classmates whod been watching from the sidelines started trying to smooth things over.

"Yeah, Claire, dont be angry. She really didnt mean it that way."

"Felix is already married to you. Moira knows where the line is."

"Claire used to be so gentle. I cant believe shed hit someone like that. Who wouldve thought..."

"I didnt realize Moira was so easygoing and good-tempered. I regret not spending more time with her before."

...

I laughed. As I laughed, the tears Id just held back began to well up again.

"Moira, you know exactly what youre thinking."

Felix suddenly stood in front of her, his tall frame seemingly willing to shield her from all my accusations.

"Claire, how much longer are you going to make a scene?"

I stared steadily at his face, half of it gradually swelling.

Even slightly unsightly, it only added a touch of mortal essence to his otherworldly features.

The clarity and sense of justice in his eyes had never been absent.

Like a judge sitting on a high platform, looking down at me with both pity and severity.

This farce finally ended according to Felixs orchestration.

This time, Moira didnt sit in my passenger seat again. Felix considerately called her a car.

Through the car window, I watched him nod reassuringly to her and say something to the driver.

It was exactly like that summer day at the school gate, when someone suddenly told me to look ahead.

So I saw Moira bouncing into a car, Felix patting her head while saying something to the driver.

His expression warm and indulgent.

Back then, they would arrange to go out with friends togetherit had become an unspoken understanding between us.

But I didnt know they would also arrange to see just each other, without anyone else.

The Moira of those days was both innocent and bold.

She pressed a kiss to her palm, then suddenly placed it on Felixs face.

Seeing his surprise, her face flushed with laughter.

I was shocked into a daze by the scene before me.

It turned out that countless hints from those around me couldnt compare to witnessing reality with my own eyes.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a car door closing.

Seeing I wasnt in the front seat, he sighed helplessly.

"Claire, Moira didnt sit in your spot to make some kind of statement. She just thought the air conditioning was stronger up front."

His tone was utterly sincere.

Usually at this point, my temper would have been mostly soothed. Perhaps the next second, Id have happily returned to my original position.

If he then bought me a gemstone necklace at an auction, the matter would basically be over.

But with Moiras situation, I could probably never turn the page.

"Felix, since we got married, youve never let anyone sit in my passenger seat."

The car remained idle for a long time.

Felix suddenly lit a cigarette.

He knew I hated the smell of smoke, yet now he lit one in the cramped car interior.

"I thought seeing Moira would make you happy."

"After all, you two used to be such good friends, didnt you?"

I sneered. "Yeah, good enough to share a boyfriend."

The car fell silent. I was forced to breathe secondhand smoke and couldnt help rolling down the window.

He tossed away the cigarette, still more than half unsmoked, his voice hoarse.

"Back then, when I saw her, I was reminded of you, so I showed her some extra patience. But I only saw her as a brother..."

The car interior was dim. I lowered my head, a teardrop seeping from my nose into my clenched fist.

"Do you know? She once cried to me while drunk, saying if only she were a man, you wouldnt guard against her so deeply, and you two wouldnt have grown so distant."

I remembered that time. When Moira showed me the recording, her eyes were full of triumph.

She said from that moment on, Felix only had business interests with me, no feelings.

I suppose thats true.

At least I can be certain that in all our years of marriage, hed never argued with others on my behalf the way he did now.

"She didnt have your privileged upbringing, yet managed to become so outstanding through her own efforts."

"Even if you resent her somewhat, you shouldnt jump to conclusions without hearing her explanation."

"Today, she just wanted to surprise you."

I suddenly felt my heart palpitate.

Yet his voice, utterly disappointed, still reached my ears.

"Claire, she and I have no future together. Why wont you just let Moira go?"

He wanted me to let Moira go.

But when had Moira and he ever let me go?

I used refusal to communicate to make my position clear.

He didnt force me to comply, just drove in silence, speeding.

What should have been a twenty-minute drive became ten minutes.

When I got out of the car, I saw Moira standing at the door.

She immediately raised both hands in surrender, sticking out her tongue. "I came to get something. Ill leave right away."

Her job abroad was introduced by Felix. Naturally, theyd have work contact after she returned home.

Id thought of this long ago.

I just didnt expect Felix would let her stay.

Looking at his resolute profile, I knew he was still angry.

As if telling me he was in charge of this house.

And I could only choose to accept it.

When his gaze swept over, I knew he was waiting for me to make peace with him. Perhaps then hed magnanimously let Moira move out.

But I didnt. I just calmly walked ahead.

Moira stayed in the guest room farthest down the hallway.

Before bed, she said goodnight to me and apologized again.

I just coldly closed the door and lay down.

I couldnt sleep.

So when my bedmate quietly got up in the middle of the night, I noticed immediately.

I just kept my eyes closed, hiding the tears gradually pooling beneath my eyelids.

The hallway light was on, and the door to the game room that was rarely opened stood ajar.

"Felix, this place is really amazing. You completely recreated the scene I described to you back then."

"Im glad you like it. I was worried it might be outdated by now."

"How could it be? Im so touched..."

I leaned against the wall, suddenly feeling unsteady on my feet.

During the renovation, Felix had personally designed this game room.

He treated every detail with extreme precision, to the point where even I found it puzzling.

After all, he didnt interfere with any other part of the houses design.

Only the game roomhe wouldnt let me have any input.

It turned out it was all for Moiras dream.

He probably dreamed of living in this house with her.

Unfortunately, if it werent for me, he might have gotten his wish.

I stumbled back to bed in a daze.

That night, Felix never returned.

My last bit of love for him gradually dissipated with time.

At dawns first light, I finally got up, made a hospital appointment on my phone, booked a hotel room online, hastily packed a few items of clothing, and left.

As I passed the game room, the door stood wide open.

I looked straight ahead and left without a glance.

By the time Felix discovered Id left, I was already sitting in the presidential suite enjoying the sumptuous breakfast the server had brought.

My phone on the table rang incessantly. I patiently listened for a while. After the fifth call ended, it finally stopped.

I knew Felix wouldnt call again.

His patience with me had always been limited.

Besides, the Shaw family had been declining, needing the Harper familys influence in the industry.

He was certain I was just temporarily angry and would never dare actually leave him.