Teacher's Day Flowers

That was the telling sign that she was feeling guilty.

Her eyes darted around aimlessly, and her voice trembled ever so slightly.

"You... what nonsense are you talking about? What’s the meaning of this?"

I smiled, bent down to pick up a petal, and offered it to her.

"Didn't you say these are just ordinary lilies?"

Hera turned her face away and tightly pursed her lips, refusing to speak.

Seeing her reaction, Sarah jumped up from her chair and grabbed a broom to clean up the flowers.

"This is ridiculous! You're ruining the dinner! Fine, I'll clean it up so that a certain jealous person can stop making a fuss."

My mother, infuriated by her words, shook with rage, "What do you mean by that, Sarah?"

I soothingly patted my mother's back, then harshly shouted at Sarah, "Don't move!"

She was startled into stillness. I snatched the broom from her and tossed it aside.

Then, I stepped forward, cornering Hera between me and the mess.

"Are you feeling guilty now? Didn't you say these flowers were fine? What are you afraid of?"

My questioning made her eyes dart around, afraid to meet my gaze.

Peter slammed his fork down in anger, his face turning red and pale in turns.

He banged the table again. "Enough, everyone. What’s all this ruckus for? This should be a celebration; what have we turned it into? Sit down and eat. Keep causing a scene, and you can leave!"

With that, he cast me a meaningful glance.

I knew those words were directed at me.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Hera immediately rushed to the door, her movements a bit awkward.

The door was flung open.

Standing at the door was the student she claimed was innocent, Terry Nash.

He was wearing a white shirt and carrying fine tea and tonics, which he was going to give to my in-laws.

When he saw the scene inside the house, his handsome face paled, and his voice trembled slightly.

"Professor... Mr. Lawson... what happened?

"Are you... are you upset because of the flowers I gave you?

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have given you lilies, but I wanted to wish you and Mr. Lawson a happy marriage; I have no other intentions.

"The florist said this bouquet is popular, so she recommended it to me.

"Sorry to disturb you; I’ll leave now."

As he spoke, he walked into the living room, placed the gifts down, and turned to leave.

What could have been done in three seconds took him a whole three minutes.

"Wait." Sarah couldn't hold back anymore. She immediately rushed forward while casting an accusing glance at Hera.

She grabbed Terry’s hands, pressed him down onto the couch, and turned to shoot me a look filled with disdain. "It's not your fault, boy! Some people are just narrow-minded and can't tolerate others!"

While Sarah was pulling the boy away, I clearly caught the provocative and smug glance Terry shot at me.

I ignored it and simply said in a calm tone, "Get out."

Hera looked at me in disbelief.

She clenched her fists and said with unbearable anger, "Stanley! What did he do wrong? You don’t like lilies, and he’s already apologized! He’s just a twenty-year-old kid, innocent and straightforward. The florist recommended the flowers to him, why are you taking it out on him? I warn you, don’t project your filthy thoughts onto an innocent kid."

Sarah stood protectively in front of Terry. "I dare anyone to try and kick him out!"

She then unleashed her fury, aiming her firepower at me.

"Stanley, you and Hera have been married for five years now, yet you still can't get Hera pregnant. And now you're treating our guest like this. You just stay in your lab all day without even fulfilling the most basic function as a man. It’s truly unfortunate that Hera married you; what terrible luck for her! I’ve said it long ago, a man who can’t have children has a dark heart! Because you feel inferior, you can’t stand to see others do well!"

"Watch your mouth!" My dad finally couldn't hold back anymore. He stepped forward to shield me behind him and glared at Sarah.