Won't Get Fooled Again

Early the next day, I was woken by some noise in the hallway outside.

Naturally, Paul never came home.

I didn't ask either, and contacted my office to tell them I was resigning.

I then reached out to local welfare organizations, donating the clothes I packed last night.

As I was getting a drink, I paused as I heard a woman exclaiming worshipfully, while a man was barking orders.

Recognizing the voices, I opened the door, and immediately saw some movers moving furniture, while Paul and Lily stood in the middle.

Their cheeks pressed against each other just like a loving couple.

Then, perhaps because of something Lily whispered into Paul's ear, he smiled affectionately and tapped her nose.

Then, he turned and barked orders at the movers again.

He was picky with furniture placement, and everything must go according to his will where he lived.

When we moved, he took leave just to order the movers like he did now, and he told me then, "One's own house must be designed by oneself to make living comfortable."

Even now, the layout in the house was no different from before, but that man from back then was never coming back….

That was when my phone vibrated.

I tried to hang up in my panic, only to up the volume, catching everyone's attention—including Lily and Paul.

Once I finally hung up, Lily ran up to me, hugging my arm, "Paul's worried since it's dangerous for me to live alone, so he bought this house as a present! Once everything's arranged, you're welcomed as a guest!"

As Lily spoke, she pulled on my arm repeatedly like a child.

I never liked her, and her behavior left me frowning.

As I quietly withdrew my hand to turn and leave, she suddenly freed my hand and fell backward, knocking into the movers carrying a coffee table and knocking it over.

She fell, cutting her own hand in the glass.

"Argh!!!" Tears welled up in her eyes, and she was the picture of misery.

Hearing that, Paul promptly ran over, carefully cupping her hand in his, and actually cried as if it hurt when he saw her putting up a brave face.

When he wheeled on me, however, his affection was replaced by rage.

"Jessica! You're such a horrible woman!" He bellowed. "If anything bad happens to Lily, I'll kill you!"

Lily remained tearful, leaning against him as she defended me, "It's not Jessica's fault. She didn't push me—I fell. It's my fault for being a coward… If I didn't have to move here, you wouldn't be fighting. I should leave."

Paul simply pulled her closer. "No, you don't have to leave. It's not your fault."

As he finished, he turned toward me, "Apologize to Lily now."

I was not bothered by their soap opera antics, and had to fight back my disgust as I retreated inside my room.

Still, I didn't expect Paul to suddenly catch the door, "Apologize!"

His bellow left my temples twitching, all accumulated grief imploding at that moment.

"Why should I apologize?" I retorted. "Do you even know what happened?!"

Lily's face dropped right then. She promptly scowled vulnerably, tugging on Paul's sleeve as she teeteered as if to fall. "It's not Jessica's fault. I'm fine."

Paul promptly caught her, and shot me a vicious glare. "I don't know the truth, but I know Lily. You're just so vile, Jessica!"

The spite in his eyes was overflowing, and it left me suffocating.

He really never changed, and did not believe me as usual.