I wondered whether any part of the man I had married was real.
***
At six that evening, David entered my room carrying a tray.
“How’s my beautiful girl?”
He placed the tray on the bedside table.
A bowl of rice.
Steamed vegetables.
A small portion of fish.
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The smell made my stomach turn.
I watched him arrange the utensils.
“You should eat something,” he said.
He picked up the spoon.
“Just a little.”
I turned my eyes away.
David sighed.
“Come on. You can’t keep refusing food.”
He brought the spoon toward my mouth.
I remained still.
He tried again.
Then his expression changed.
“Don’t make this difficult.”
I stared at him.
For a moment, the mask disappeared.
His jaw tightened.
His hand trembled.
“Do you know how much I’ve sacrificed for you?”
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I wanted to laugh.
He continued.
“I’ve spent months taking care of you. I’ve practically abandoned my life.”
