Returned home early, saw my wife embracing another man

“Agh…” I groaned as I woke up.

My left arm was numb.

It took me a few moments to actually wake up.

All the memories started flooding down as I realized where I was and why I was sleeping in the middle of the day.

Asuka came to meet me in the graveyard. She knew exactly where to find me. Guess, she hadn’t completely forgotten about the days when we actually considered each other as our life partners.

I checked my phone and found it was switched off.

I first took the charger and plugged it in.

Next, I went to the refrigerator and drank some water.

Resting my back against the kitchen station, I felt my mind against getting conflicted with thoughts.

Asuka rushed to the graveyard, and that could be seen how she was barefoot at that time.

Maybe, she met Akari-san and realized that I know everything.

I sighed…I am thinking about her again.

I needed to take some time for myself and then think about what we should do.

Asuka hadn’t returned home then she surely must have gone to that man…most probably.

Sighing, I looked at the clock and found it was already three.

‘I slept for four hours, huh?’ Because of recent overwork and stress, I couldn’t get six hours of sleep.

And the stress of Asuka might have worked as a pill to provide me with a deep long sleep.

*Grrrr*

My stomach growled. I haven’t had anything for almost two days now. I was suddenly feeling weak.

I checked the refrigerator…but there was nothing inside to eat. And I didn’t want to cook something.

That’s why, I took my wallet and decided to visit the nearby ramen store.

I slipped into my slippers and opened the door.

Stepping out, I was about to close the door—when suddenly, I spotted someone crouched beside the door.

I froze for a moment…then I turned to look at the person.

It was Asuka.

With her legs curled, she was trembling in the cold.

My heart turned heavy as, with a frown, I asked her, “What are you doing here?”

She slowly looked up, her eyes turning moist as she said, “You weren’t opening the door…”

I scoffed, “Could have just gone to your lover?”

Saying such, I closed the door and was about to leave, when suddenly, her cold hands gripped mine.

I gritted my teeth, but before I could have snatched my hand away, she said, “I am ready to tell you the truth…so please…give me a chance.”

I paused.

The truth.

Did she finally weave a story to tell me?

I am very curious to hear what she had to say. Whether she would confess her adultery or still deny that she didn’t cheat on me?

I stepped back and opened the door, before ushering, “Go inside.” I don’t want the neighbours to hear the whole drama that’s why I invited her inside.

I never turned to look at her even though I could feel her gaze on me.

My heart trembled…once that gaze melted my heart but now…I just couldn’t bear to look at her.

Wordlessly, she released my hand and stepped inside.

Taking a deep breath, I looked inside the house.

Based on what she says, I might make a decision about our relationship today.

….

While still trembling, she stood inside the room, her gaze drawn to the ground.

I frowned, “No need to torture yourself. I am not inhumane.” I took out a blanket and told her to sit down first.

She thankfully nodded and sat down before wrapping herself in the covers.

I sat down across from her and rested my elbow on my knee.

With a sigh, I asked her, “So…what is the story? Tell me whoever I saw was your friend who needed your support or something.”

She shook her head, “No…he…is my-” she closed her eyes and finally confessed, “…he is my blood-related brother.”

“….” Has she gone mad?

“You are an orphan, Asuka…why are you making such a vulgar lie?” My voice was harsh but she didn’t look affected.

“I lied to you…about me being an orphan. I…have a family…my parents, my older brother, and my cousins.”

“…” I was rendered speechless again. What is this? Is she a writer or something? Why is she weaving such an unbelievable story?

However, what she did next was not a story.

She took out her phone and tapped a few icons before extending the phone in my direction,

I took the phone….it was pictures of Asuka and a few other people who definitely were close to her.

Asuka seemed young, in her teenage years spending a holiday at a beach. There were many people, similar to her age.

One of the women had similar features as her but looked older.

She pointed at one of the older guys and said, “He is the one you must have seen that day. He is my older brother, Sato-nii.”

I frowned before handing her phone back, “I don’t believe you. Why in the world would you ever hide that you have a family and that person is your brother? Just why?”

She took a strong gulp before tapping a few more times on the screen before hesitantly handing me the phone back.

“Because of him…”

I saw the picture… and for a moment, my mind went blank.

I could never forget that face.

Fujiwara Reiji.

The man I once believed… had murdered my mother.

*****

A/N:- Connect the dots. Thanks for reading.