After my discussion with the kids, when night came, I started craving the delicious cheese pie our cook always baked every Friday evening.
I left my room and headed towards the stairs, but as I passed Mrs. Dragon's room, I paused and went back. She was on the phone with someone. I overheard her say, "Make sure you're there on time. Yes, yes, she's giving birth tomorrow. Yes, at The Dream Hospital. You can transfer the money today or tomorrow, whichever you prefer. Okay, tomorrow it is." She hung up the phone.
I heard her footsteps approaching the door. It seemed like she realized someone had eavesdropped on her conversation. I quickly ran back to my room, my heart racing from almost getting caught.
I turned on the light, although I couldn't remember turning it off when I left.
" What do I do now?" I pondered . I had planned to leave with my kids first thing tomorrow morning, but what I just heard changed everything. This could be the break I needed. If I could catch Monica and Mrs. Dragon in the act, my revenge would finally be complete, and I would get my son back.
I started taking off my clothes, now down to just my underwear. I was halfway through taking off my bra when I noticed someone on the bed staring at me with wide eyes.
I screamed and used both hands to cover my chest, dropping my bra in the process. I took a second look at the person lying on the bed and realized it was Henry Dragon, looking shocked.
Angry, I demanded to know what he was doing on my bed and why he was in my room. He stood up and started walking towards me, but I told him to stop unless he wanted me to scream. He paused, but then continued walking towards me.
"Henry, don't you dare come any closer! Stay away from me! Don't test me."
He opened the door behind me. "Why did you have to wake me up from my sleep?" he asked, sounding a bit annoyed.
"Hold it right there, Henry Dragon. You have no right to be upset with me. Why were you in my room in the first place? How dare you ask me to leave my room?"
But as soon as I finished speaking, it was as if a veil had lifted from my eyes. I looked around the room and realized I was in Henry's room, not mine.
The shame was overwhelming. I wanted to disappear. I had completely embarrassed myself, and the thought that I had assumed he wanted sex was the height of it all. It nearly broke my heart.
I held my breasts tightly with my hands and tried to run out of his room in my underwear, but he blocked the way with his arm.
"Are you seriously going to leave like that?" he asked.
"What do you care?" I shot back. "Weren't you the one who told me to leave your room like this?" I added, trying to hide the small tears that had fallen from my eyes.
He explained that he only said that because I treated him like some kind of pervert, which had hurt him.
I felt a glimmer of happiness when he explained himself, but it wasn't enough to satisfy me.
Why isn't he moved by my nakedness? Even though I wasn't completely naked, I was close enough. Has he suddenly lost interest in me? No wonder he just wanted to kick me out of his room as soon as I came in.
I knew what I was feeling deep inside was heartbreak. I never wanted to admit it, but not a day went by without me thinking about Henry, about the way he kissed me and made love to me. Even back in Australia, I couldn't stop thinking about him, about his touch. I wondered what it would feel like to live as a normal family with him and our children.
But whenever I thought about Monica being in the picture, I got very mad.
He had told everyone how much he loves Monica but has never said those words to me or to anyone about me. All I was good for was just sex, someone to satisfy his urges when he was really horny and Monica wasn't there beside him.
Is it a crime for a wife to want her husband to love her? I know that I came here for a different purpose, but at least it wouldn't hurt to hear him say those words to me and really mean them.
He asked me to take my time and get dressed before leaving, but at this point, I didn't care. All I wanted was to leave his stupid room.
I grabbed my clothes from the floor and tried to leave his room again.
This time, he held my hand and told me not to leave like that, warning that he would punish me if I did.
I pushed him away and said I didn't have time for his games. Then I apologized for disturbing his beauty sleep and left his room, half-naked.
I rushed into my own room, threw my clothes on the ground, and began stomping on them angrily. I poured out my frustration on the poor clothes, stopping only when I heard a knock on my door.
I turned and saw Henry.
"Henry, go away. I'm not doing this with you tonight. As you can see, I'm in a bad mood, and I don't need you adding to it," I said, trying to hide my tear-stained face.
I heard his footsteps coming closer.
I wanted to run out of the room, but I was a wreck. What would I do if he tried to seduce me tonight? Could I resist the temptation? I pondered this as he touched my shoulders and whispered in my ear.
"I love you, Andrea. I really do." I couldn't believe my ears. Did Henry Dragon just confess that he loves me?