Chapter 6 Are You Crazy?

That same old attitude again...

"It's not hard to call a taxi. I can reimburse you for the fare."

I really wanted to throw everything down and not go tonight, but then I thought—this is my family's car. Why should I be the one to leave?

Besides, it was a family dinner today. I really didn't want to make a scene. When it comes to marital issues, it was better if the elders don't know. Plus, Grandma was getting old.

"William, I'll just take a taxi."

Jane looked embarrassed after I confronted her, turning to him for help.

"Just sit there! And keep quiet!"

William said impatiently.

This scene felt somewhat familiar. In my memory, William's attitude toward Jane should have been this indifferent, even somewhat annoyed.

"Car keys."

I held out my hand.

William said nothing and simply placed the car keys in my hand, then turned and sat in the back seat.

He understood what I meant—the passenger seat was originally mine. Since Jane was sitting there, I certainly wouldn't be the one sitting in the back.

I was satisfied with his attitude. I got in the driver's seat, started the car, and smiled at Jane, saying, "Just kidding earlier. You're right, it doesn't matter whose car we take."

Her face was tense. The rearview mirror was pointed at her, and knowing William could see her expression, she forced out a smile and nodded.

The brief confrontation ended.

No one spoke the whole way.

The atmosphere in the car was terribly oppressive.

Jane pretended to be relaxed, turning around several times, wanting to chat with William, but it wasn't very convenient.

Moreover, William completely ignored her.

After a while, probably knowing I was uncomfortable, he took the initiative to bring up a topic.

"Michael called at noon, saying college classmates are having a gathering tonight. Too bad we can't go. What do you think—should we host them sometime?"

William leaned forward, resting on my driver's seat, his tone inquiring.

Michael Brown, William, Emily, and I were all college classmates from the same year.

His words brought back the best memories from my college days.

Remembering the first time I met William.

Remembering the first time I talked to William.

Remembering how every page of my diary was filled with his name.

A warm feeling rose in my heart, and I nodded. "Okay."

When we got married, they were all out of town and couldn't make it back.

Over these years, everyone has been scattered across different places. Now that we're finally all local, we should host them.

And bringing it up in front of Jane was enough to show where he stood.

"I want to go too!"

Jane quickly chimed in.

Jane also went to the same college as us, but she was two years younger. When we were juniors, she had just started as a freshman.

"It's none of your business!"

William interrupted impatiently.

"When we got married, those classmates couldn't come. Let's take this chance for everyone to get together."

I explained. As I was speaking, I suddenly remembered that Jane wasn't at that wedding either. William had explained that her mother wasn't doing well, and she was at the hospital with her.

An uneasy feeling began to linger in my mind.

I remembered that on our wedding night, William got a phone call saying Thalia's condition wasn't good, and he didn't come back until after midnight.

"Michael will be there too. Are you sure you want to come?"

William said this coldly, glancing at Jane with a strange expression.

I also looked at Jane curiously.

Michael was a notorious player.

Could he and Jane have had some history, too?

Jane seemed to be stung somewhere sensitive. Her eyes reddened as she sneered, "I'm just a young girl here, all alone in a strange place with nobody to turn to. When you guys were inseparable senior year, who would think of me? If someone pursued me and we went out for dinner and a movie, isn't that normal?"

"You're jealous."

William shot back bluntly.

These two had a strange way of interacting. Most of the time, William gave me the impression that he was very impatient with Jane, helpless, even somewhat disgusted.

But sometimes, he showed unexpected and unreasonable tenderness and attentiveness.

It was somewhat split.

"Yes! I am jealous! So what if I slept with him—what's it to you!"

Jane suddenly turned around, eyes wide, somewhat manic.

I focused on driving, not saying a word. This was their business.

Besides, Jane and I weren't close, so there was no need for me to chime in.

William leaned back in the rear seat, his expression complex, saying coolly, "Whatever makes you happy."

Jane cried.

With great grievance and unwillingness.

"You believe whatever people say. He didn't even touch my hand, unlike you—leaving the bed and not taking responsibility, then running to find me on your wedding night..."

"Jane!"

William roared angrily!

With a sharp screech of brakes, I suddenly stopped the car.

In that moment, I felt like I'd fallen into an ice cave.

I stared blankly at William in the rearview mirror, my heart pierced with pain, my eyes stinging.

I held back my tears from falling.

William had never been so flustered in front of me. "Eleanor..."

Seeing I didn't speak, he said darkly, word by word, "What do you mean I left the bed?"

Jane pretended to be alarmed. "You were drunk that night. I got you a hotel room. You held onto my hand and slept all night. Have you forgotten how you didn't recognize me the next day?"

"Today is the last time you ride in my car."

William said coldly, slowly placing his hand on my shoulder.

I closed my eyes, leaning back in the seat.

"On our wedding night, you said Thalia wasn't doing well and didn't come back until after midnight. Actually, you ran off to find her, didn't you?"

Before saying this, I adjusted my breathing several times, trying to say it as smoothly as possible.

Without a trace of choking up—this was my last shred of dignity in this car.

I felt like a complete joke.

All these years, what have I even been...

Back when we were dating and got married, it was grandmother who arranged it.

I loved him, admired him. Even though he was cold and unfeeling, I believed time could solve everything.

Behind the current affection and harmony was a period after marriage when we were as distant as roommates.

Wherever he went, I didn't ask. When he came home late, I just waited.

Until that night when he held me.

...

Now, it was all a joke.

What else had he been hiding from me?

I was glad I didn't tell him about the pregnancy.

For the first time, I wavered about this marriage.

"Eleanor, I'm sorry. I thought William had already told you about such a small thing. After all, you two have such a good relationship. I didn't expect he hadn't said anything... We didn't sleep together, I promise. I'll be clearer next time..."

Jane looked panicked, looking back and forth between William and me.

"Shut up!"

"Jane, have you lost your mind!"

William's face was dark.

That violent energy burst out with his profanity, faintly carrying a murderous air.

This was the real him.

Domineering, ruthless, cold.

This was also the fundamental reason he stood out among the young talents of the Spencer Family and became the actual controller of the Spencer Family.

"Come on, don't put on that face all the time. Who are you showing it to? It's not that big a deal. I just won't say anything in the future!"

Jane said, aggrieved.

She seemed to understand William even better than I did, certain he wouldn't do anything to her.

My heart hurt even more.

Every recent event felt like barbs piercing my heart.

"Eleanor..."

"Should I get out or should you?"

I interrupted without hesitation.

This marriage—let's end it here.

I took out my phone, ready to call Emily, but William snatched it away.

"Eleanor, listen to me..."

I'd never seen him so urgent.

Just then, the phone rang.

Seeing the caller ID, William's expression relaxed noticeably. "It's Grandma."

That kind old woman who truly cared for and loved me.

Thinking of the upcoming holiday family dinner, and her birthday was coming soon.

My heart inexplicably deflated.

William really had me figured out...

"Give me the phone..."