THE OTHER SIDE OF FOREVER
(Chapter 3)
In the morning…
Kelvin’s voice was hesitant as he called out to Lucy, “Hey, can we talk?”
Lucy’s expression was skeptical as she sat down beside him. “What’s there to talk about, Kelvin?”
Kelvin took a deep breath. “The lady who called me yesterday… she’s just a colleague from work. I swear, Lucy, there’s nothing going on.”
Lucy’s laughter was bitter. “Save it, Kelvin. I’m not buying it. You’re cheating on me, and you’re going to wait for my own turn.”
Kelvin’s anger flared. “How can you say that, Lucy? I’ve never given you any reason to doubt me.”
Lucy’s eyes flashed. “Reason? You’ve been distant, Kelvin. You’ve been pushing me away. And now, you’re getting calls from other women?”
Kelvin’s voice rose. “If I ever see you with another man, Lucy… I’ll do the unimaginable.”
Lucy’s smile was cold. “You can’t do anything, Kelvin. I’ll do what I want, when I want. And if that includes being with another man, then so be it.”
The air was electric with tension as they glared at each other. Kelvin’s face twisted in rage, while Lucy’s eyes sparkled with defiance.
Suddenly, Lucy’s hand flew out, slapping Kelvin across the face. The sound echoed through the room, followed by a stunned silence.
Kelvin’s eyes widened in shock, his cheek stinging from the slap. Lucy’s chest heaved, her eyes blazing with fury.
The pause between them was heavy, the only sound their ragged breathing. It was as if the entire world had come to a standstill, waiting to see what would happen next.
******************
The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by Wills’ sudden appearance at the door. His eyes widened in shock as he took in the scene before him.
“Is this the kind of life you want to give me?” Wills asked, his voice trembling.
Lucy and Kelvin remained frozen, unable to respond.
Wills’ tears began to flow. “Mum, what has Daddy done to you that you had to slap him? Why are you both doing this to me?”
The room seemed to grow colder, the tension between them palpable.
Lucy’s eyes dropped, unable to meet Wills’ gaze. Kelvin’s face was set in stone, his eyes fixed on some point beyond Wills’ shoulder.
Wills’ sobs grew louder, his small body shaking with emotion. “I don’t want to live like this! I don’t want to see you both fighting all the time!”
Lucy’s eyes flashed with guilt, but she remained silent. Kelvin’s expression didn’t change, his jaw clenched in a tight line.
Wills turned and ran, his tears echoing through the hallway. Lucy and Kelvin remained frozen, the silence between them a chasm that seemed impossible to bridge.
Finally, Kelvin turned and disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Lucy alone in the kitchen. She mechanically began to prepare breakfast, her mind numb with emotion.
But before she could even call out to Kelvin to come and eat, he had already gone, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
The dinning seemed empty and silent, the only sound the quiet hum of the refrigerator. Lucy’s eyes dropped, her heart heavy with sorrow. What had they done to their family? What had they done to Wills?
*******************
As the evening drew to a close, Lucy had carefully prepared dinner, hoping to salvage what was left of the day. She and Wills were already seated at the table, waiting for Kelvin to join them.
“Dinner’s ready,” Lucy called out, trying to sound cheerful.
Kelvin walked into the kitchen, his eyes scanning the table before settling on Lucy and Wills. “I’m not hungry,” he muttered, his voice curt.
Lucy’s face fell, her eyes dropping to the carefully prepared meal. “But… Honey, I made your favorite,” she protested.
Kelvin didn’t respond, simply turning and walking upstairs, leaving Lucy and Wills in an uncomfortable silence.
Wills, sensing the tension, lost his appetite. He stood up, his chair scraping against the floor. “I’m not hungry either,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Lucy’s eyes followed him, concern etched on her face. “Wills, come back. You need to eat something,” she called out.
But Wills just shook his head, his eyes welling up with tears. “I’ve lost my appetite, Mum. I don’t want to eat.”
Lucy’s heart ached as she watched her son walk away, feeling helpless to stop the downward spiral of their family’s dynamics.
The dinning seemed to grow quieter, the only sound the soft hum of the refrigerator. Lucy’s eyes dropped, her gaze fixed on the uneaten meal before her. What was happening to their family? Why was everything falling apart?
To be continued…
