Under the veil of a faint chuckle, Georgia's inner turmoil remained unresolved. She responded with a gentle yet hollow tone, "it's very good."
On the other end of the line, Song Yunan began to sense the subtle shift in Georgia's demeanor and probed, "Georgia, what's the matter with you?"
In the confines of a phone call, the words she longed to speak became an intricate tangle within her mind. She yearned to share her thoughts with Song Yunan, but the distance and the limitations of the medium left her struggling to convey her emotions.
Finally, her thoughts found a voice in the form of a question, a question that held the weight of her doubts, "Ann, you said, if you get married and find that your partner has a woman behind your back, what would you do?"
Song Yunan's response was swift and unwavering, "Divorce." He didn't hesitate to assert, "Georgia, have you forgotten what we said before? Always marry the man you love and who loves you back! There's zero tolerance for infidelity in marriage."
Georgia's heart ached, and she admitted, "I didn't forget..."
She had always held those principles close to her heart, yet now, as she found herself entangled in a web of uncertainty, she couldn't be certain if she could uphold them.
On the other end of the line, Song Yunan sensed that something was amiss. "Why do you suddenly ask me these questions? Are you...?" he inquired cautiously.
Georgia was flustered, quickly offering an explanation, "No! It's just that I overheard my colleagues discussing their own situations, and it made me think..."
Hearing her clarification, Song Yunan breathed a sigh of relief, "You scared me for a moment. I thought you were talking about yourself! Anyway, I stand by what we've always believed in, and I won't waver in my principles."
Listening to the determination in Song Yunan's voice, Georgia affirmed, "Well, I will too."
Deep down, she acknowledged that she hadn't acted on those principles. Her marriage to Jack had been a rushed affair, devoid of love considerations. Yet now, as she faced the possibility of hidden secrets and other women in his life, she realized she couldn't accept it. This was the fundamental boundary of her marriage.
In that moment, Georgia made a silent promise to herself that she would confront Jack about her doubts.
...
Night fell, casting darkness outside as the soft patter of rain tapped gently against the windows. The air was laden with moisture, carrying a subtle chill. Georgia sat on the sofa, her eyes fixed on the wall clock.
It was past nine o'clock, the time when Jack usually returned home.
Minutes ticked by, and the distant sound of a car pulling into the courtyard reached her ears. The door swung open, revealing the tall silhouette of the man she had married.
Georgia adjusted her clothing, rose from the sofa, and greeted him with a soft inquiry, "Are you back?"
His response was curt, "Yes." Jack glanced at her briefly before proceeding to remove his shoes.
As he drew nearer, Georgia couldn't help but furrow her brow when she detected a faint hint of alcohol on him. She poured a glass of water and extended it toward him.
Jack accepted the glass with an aloof expression, taking a few sips. Sensing that she hadn't withdrawn, he inquired, "Is there something else?"
Summoning her courage, Georgia took a deep breath and spoke, "I need to talk to you."
He placed the glass back down, his enigmatic eyes offering no clues. "Go ahead," he prompted.
With her fists clenched tightly, Georgia felt an emptiness within her but persisted in her questioning, "Do you have other women?"
Her words hung in the air, and in that moment, the atmosphere in the room seemed to drop several degrees, as Jack's expression turned ominously dark.