Whispers in the Night Rain

Mockery

William was tenderly peeling an apple for the patient in the bed, Bianca. The moment I stepped into the ward, Jason hid his smile behind his hand. "I told you she was throwing a tantrum, Dad. She'd never get the divorce.

"She came right over the second she heard you'd fallen ill. She cares about you."

I froze up like a statue.

William looked at me with the calmness of a person who had everything under control. "You shouldn't be threatening divorce, not when you're an adult. You should be ashamed of yourself."

Bianca nudged William's arm, but her eyes were on me as she murmured, "William's a softie, Yvonne. He didn't mean to lie. We just have good news for you." A smile curled her lips, and she exchanged a look with William.

Then, William took a file out of the drawer and handed it to me.

"The change of address is set in stone, but you can still stay here. You don't have to go back to Cathay."

How curious. "What? If I change my address, my PR gets terminated. How am I supposed to stay?"

William gave me a calm, collected glance. "Easy. I got you a new visa. You just need to be renewed every year." He leaned back into his seat and raised his chin. "Sign it. It needs to be stamped."

I took the contract with stiff hands, but when I saw the content, my blood grew cold. It was an application for a working visa, and it was for a housekeeping position.

The stormy look in my eyes didn't escape William, and he cleared his throat awkwardly. Then, he said, "This is us making a compromise. This is the perfect solution. Be thankful."

Jason huddled closer and put on a fake smile. He teased, "You've been a housewife your whole life anyway. This is perfect for you."

I stared at William in silence.

He was still cool and calm, as if Jason's mockery was a simple fact to him. That took all the strength I had to retort.

I grabbed a pen and flipped to the last page before signing the papers.

That stunned William. He didn't think I'd agree so readily. He arched an eyebrow and approached me, but the stern look on his face softened. "It's better this way. Jason has two mothers now, and we'll be a happy family of four, just like we used to be."

All I had to offer was a stiff, bitter smile.

The change of address went quickly.

The moment he got the PR for Bianca, William couldn't wait to hand it over to her. "And now Pierton is officially your home, Bianca. I'm sorry you had to suffer for so long, but I'll make it up to you!"

I sat in front of the counter all alone as I processed the fact that my address was being changed. This marriage took everything from me, leaving me with nothing. In a way, this was a blessing. Sometimes, not having a rock was better than having one and losing it anyway.

The counter's staff member stuck her head out. "Miss, it's a long-term work permit. You'll have to renew it every year, or your residence will be terminated."

I looked back at the happy family of three. The scene etched itself in my mind, proving that I was an outsider in what I thought was my family.

I took a deep breath and slid the renewal application back to the staff member.