Ex-husband’s Regret

"No need for 'buts." Frank patted my head. "A favor is a favor. He helped us, and I'll remember this debt of gratitude, but it can't serve as a shield for him hurting your friend."

I didn't have an opinion about Zachary that was this extreme.

I just wanted to know what he really meant for Jane.

He had been so cold before, speaking harshly, why was he suddenly playing this childish game now?

"Why can't he just say it directly?"

Frank opened his phone and showed me a picture.

"108 Ways to Pursue a Girl"

I tugged at the corner of my mouth. "What is this?"

Frank raised his chin slightly. "It means just what it says."

I put down the phone, thinking a bit. "Does he want to pursue Jane?"

"That's one way to understand it."

I felt a bit speechless. "But can't he just state his intentions first before taking action? Feigning illness really isn't charming at all."Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

Frank put some food on my plate. "Eat first, you need energy to get angry."

I chewed the food hard, incredulously asking, "Did he really make himself have a fever?"

Frank nodded. "I checked on my way home from work, it's true."

"Last night, he got angry, went out to the main road to hail a cab and didn't call his driver. But he had never been through this before. He got home all sweaty, took a cold shower, and still felt mad, so he drank iced water, and that got to him. He also had a meeting today that he didn't attend." I forgot to eat the food as I listened.

It wasn't a surprise, I just felt a bit helpless.

"He's never been slapped, being angry is fine, but he shouldn't have forced a kiss. Since he likes Jane, he could have just said it."

"It's better than him trying to find some suitable opportunity to explain what happened at the airport. There are plenty of opportunities to explain past behaviors and to apologize."

Frank added more vegetables to my plate. "I suggest you don't interfere. Let them develop freely and see their choices. What you need to do now is eat well."

"I think the person involved is often confused."

My mom spoke up. "Just letting it go might not yield good results. Sometimes it's okay to use a bit of method to stoke the fire between them."

I looked at my mom, she smiled softly. "I'm just offering a suggestion. You don't have to take it."

"She values her friend," Frank spoke for me. "She's unsure if Jane wants to continue, but she won't interfere and add bricks to their relationship."

I indeed thought that way, but Frank's words sounded a bit sarcastic.

"Mom, that suggestion is fine, but if Jane doesn't want anything with Zachary, there's no need for me to do anything. It feels like a good intention could backfire." But my mom stated clearly, "I don't see that she really wants to cut ties with Zachary."

I actually noticed that too, but I always felt that feelings don't follow logic, especially between Jane and Zachary, since they were close friends of both Frank and me.

If anything went wrong, it would be awkward for both Frank and me in the middle, they might struggle to even nod at each other in the future..

"Stop thinking about it."

Frank took the cold vegetables from my plate, added hot ones, and served me a hot drink. "Eat well. I'll let you know when it's time to stoke the fire."

I went back to eating my food.

Jane had been running around all day.