Chapter 39 Chapter Thirty-eight

There are too many things to do, too many little things to attend to.My job was to piece it all together in my head, knowing full well that if one thing went wrong, I would be completely shattered.Once started, the timer started ticking and I couldn't stop.However, I found that I was more than capable of handling crises. With the family torn apart, it becomes easy to carry out plans without anyone noticing.I'm almost invisible.Leah glared at Miles furiously.Miles looked at Estelle, trying to ignore Leah.Owen also looked at Estelle.Estelle looked back at Owen. Although she didn't understand it yet, she actually witnessed the spectacle unfolding in front of her eyes.Pipa, as usual, only has eyes for herself.Dalio doesn't look at anything, but even if he watches quietly, he doesn't see anything.After being beaten up, his condition got worse.Fear made him dizzy even more.Who knows what Mike is looking at?Well, Mei is paying attention to me, but she's an idiot: she only sees what she wants to see.And everything and everyone can't escape my eyes.I am ready to go, and when the time is right, I will strike.At the same time, I was the one who called the reporter to break the story of Estelle, and it was I who made Leah hate her.The situation is in my hands.

On the night of the big move and clearance sale, everything seemed to be going smoothly and naturally.I stoked suspicion here and hostility there, all while pretending to be nice man, peacemaker, and caring, dependable goose.I really want to tell them the truth, just to see the look on their faces.I'm like a magician, I want to tell them how tricks work and how gullible they are. I lead Pipa to Leah's bag of laundry and Dalio to Miles' shoes.When the uproar and violence intensified, I nonchalantly pushed Estelle's bicycle into the middle of the front yard and let others take it by hand.Thinking back, I decided to pocket more of the proceeds from the auction than I thought thanks to Leah's dress and throw the empty piggy bank into the bushes.

There's an out-of-control auction like a forest fire in front of the house.I just have to stand by and watch.Leah scuffles with a burly black woman in the center of the crowd.Dalio and Pipa watched gloatingly from the sidelines.Owen is taking pictures.I step forward and put my hand on Lia's shoulder, I'm Davy the Helpful.I felt something jingle near my feet, so I looked down.I knelt carefully and picked up a bunch of keys that Leah had dropped.I put them in my pocket.Well, what am I supposed to do with this thing? My luck is getting better and better.Because Leah told Estelle about Pipa having sex with Owen.And it was said in full view.It was like a small bomb dropped on the disabled and stunned people.When Astrid walks out the door (strutting away, that's my good girl) and everyone watches her go, I know it's time to strike.

I didn't sleep that night, couldn't sleep and didn't want to sleep.I know this is a watershed moment in my life and nothing will be different after tomorrow.I must enjoy this moment, not waste it in lethargy.I made everyone a big cup of tea and told them that it was okay and that if you take a step back, you will see a brighter future. Later, one by one, they went back to their respective rooms with shame and pitifulness on their faces.I heard them shuffling in the corridors; spitting and coughing in the bathroom; sniffing and tossing and turning in the bed.Also heard Miles snoring.After a long time, I heard Estelle came back.She went upstairs quickly and lightly, and I could picture her face: serious but not troubled, with a set jaw.I once wanted to find her.Maybe she'll tell me how she feels, shedding a tear on my shoulder.I could wrap my arms around her and end up kissing the line of her jaw or the crook of her neck.Her slender neck.No, that won't work.

When the house was dark and quiet, I knew I was the only one awake, so I sat upright on the bed with my hands on my knees, breathing steadily, and staring at the wall above the door.I felt my body grow taller and stronger while sitting, and every breath made me stronger and more prepared.Little by little, everything from the past has passed: Dad didn't want to recognize each other; he was bullied at school; the kind of girl that wasn't Estelle; the Davy who'd been pretending to be someone else for so long was finally coming to an end. At dawn, I wash and shave discreetly, and then I go downstairs to toast myself, but after one bite I throw it in the trash.No food or sleep is allowed until the matter is over.Estelle is usually the first in the family to wake up, and this morning was no exception.

Would you like a cup of coffee?I asked her as she walked into the kitchen.She just got out of the shower, her dark hair was still wet, but she had changed into an undershirt and shorts for work.She was radiant and without makeup.I look at the bronzed skin of her calf, and my eyes burn just looking at it.My cheeks prickled as I fought back the tears welling up near the end of the mission. Thanks, Davy.You got up very early. I can not sleep. Me too.It was almost Friday. She took a few steps and opened the door to the garden. The weather will be fine today. Yeah? yes.See how the fog evaporates on the grass.This is the best time of year.

I could tell she was trying to put on a smile after last night's disaster, but I'd give her a chance.Estelle, I'm sorry about what happened last night.She shrugged, but I went on: Tell you the truth, I think Owen is an idiot, and But I don't want to know.she said firmly and coldly. that's all.Her last chance was up.She didn't understand what she had done.My cheeks flushed. Want some toast?I say with difficulty. I'll buy something to eat later.I wish you a good day. good.Well, Estelle, you too.Be careful when you ride a bicycle. I don't have a bicycle anymore, she said, have you forgotten?

Sorry, I said, so what are you going to do? Go borrow a car from Campbell again. She smiled, shaking her head.Sorry, I was very mean to you just now.She gave me a sweet smile, and walked out of the kitchen, up two flights of stairs at a time.I heard her open the door and close it behind her. I stayed where I was and watched Miles, uncharacteristically, leave the house without a cup of tea.When Pipa appeared gracefully and dignifiedly, I made her a cup of coffee.Leah walked into the kitchen skillfully and swiftly: a dark brown V-neck top with a skirt dress, low-key eye shadow, and a thin and short briefcase, completely disdainful.

Good morning.I said. She doesn't dump me. coffee?No creamer, right? She started by slicing apples in a bowl, then added a handful of bran and a spoonful of yogurt. So healthy.I said. She was still silent. Will you be busy at work today, Leah? super busy.She said as she hurriedly stuffed the sawdust-like food into her mouth. Are you going to be there all day? yes. What happened yesterday, how are you? She froze for a moment, looking at me.How can I be okay? You are right.I said. Don't make me talk, she said, and got up to do the dishes at the sink, I'm leaving. see you later.

talk later. Then she went out too. I go back upstairs.Dalio and Mike are still sleeping, but I heard Owen walking around the room and I counted that guy lucky, because in the mood I am now, I can change my mind and choose him as the dead man, who taught him to touch me with dirty hands Estelle.I put on my gloves and rummaged in the back of the underwear drawer for Ingrid.De.Small tulle wraps for Soto earrings.I took out Wenzhen and Ingrid's invitation letter, and took out Peggy from a pair of balled socks in the same drawer.An elegant watch and necklace from Farrell.So many things are carrots that I dangle before their dull noses.I wiped them clean with toilet paper, then went downstairs as silently as possible, into Miles' room, and closed the door.I packed the earrings into a matchbox with only a few matches left, and put the box on the mantel; stuffed Peggy's stuff into one of his socks.I thought to myself: It's really symmetrical.I put Wenzhen in one of his shoes.At this point I heard Owen go downstairs to the kitchen, so I stood there for a while.There is a black notebook next to the bed.I knew it was Miles' address book because I had copied Leah's address from it only a few days ago.I put Ingrid.De.Soto's invitation slipped in as a bookmark.Will it be too ostentatious?Once I was sure no one was around, I went back to my room to get my jacket and checked that Leah's key was indeed in the pocket.It's time to go.

Leah's house is up for sale.To my annoyance, the nearest phone booth didn't work, so I had to walk for almost ten minutes or so to find another phone booth.I called Campbell's office, and when he answered the phone, I said: Hello, is this the courier company? I found your number from the yellow pages of the phone book.Excuse me, I want someone to pick it up.The sooner the better. What is the address? I gave him Leah's address. Where do you want to send it? Holborn.As I spoke, I felt the gears in my head turning. Is it a house or an apartment? detached house.There is a doorbell.But I have a request.I'm going out soon, so I won't be home, but my wife is.I hope you won't be offended. She has been in poor health. If you send the courier to send her, she will feel more secure.I wonder if it is possible to do this? Campbell is clearly impatient, and on the other hand insists it's okay; but this time I'm playing the husband-customer who cares about his wife to the point of nervousness, and the customer is always right; Campbell finally admits: yes, he has a woman The courier, and: OK, he'll send her.My wife will have to wait a little longer.I said: It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter.Anyway, my wife has nothing else to do.