At night, my husband routinely brought me a glass of milk.

As usual, I found an excuse to send my husband out and poured the milk into the flower pot in the bedroom.

But unlike the previous night, there were thumping and wailing sounds coming from my husband's room.

The sound became more and more piercing, making it harder and harder for me to endure.

With trembling hands, I collapsed on the floor, my head feeling like it was about to explode, as if I had heard that sound somewhere before.

It was like I was addicted, nearly losing control of my sanity multiple times, wanting to rush out.

In the end, I did nothing, just feeling something was wrong, curling up in my blanket without making a sound.

When I woke up again, Xiao Zhao was no longer in the room.

I didn't ask about Xiao Zhao's whereabouts, but I had a rough idea in my heart.

In the following day or two, I continuously angered my husband but also complied with him.

Pouring out the milk at night, listening to Xiao Zhao's wails night after night.

I surprisingly didn't feel anger or fear.

Hearing the suppressed and surprised sobs and screams, I vaguely felt a bit excited.

Curling up in my blanket, I kept murmuring, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... just wait a little longer."

I didn't know who this apology was for, whether it was for myself, for Xiao Zhao, or a self-deceiving comfort...

Two days later, I took advantage of my husband's work to go upstairs.

It was Xiao Zhao who opened the door for me. When she saw it was me, she panicked and tried to close the door, but I blocked it.

Immediately, I squeezed into Xiao Zhao's house, deliberately brushing against her tightly wrapped arm as I passed by her.

As expected, I heard Xiao Zhao take a deep breath.

"Xiao Zhao, what's wrong?" I asked with feigned concern, grabbing her arm with my hand.

Xiao Zhao looked nervous, her brows furrowed, a slight mist forming in her eyes, but she forced a smile and said, "It's nothing, sis."

"Oh, that's good. Your reaction is quite similar to mine before; I thought... never mind!"

Just as I expected, Xiao Zhao quickly followed up, "What happened before, Sister Wang?"

I bit my lower lip, looking hesitant, as if unsure whether to speak or not.

As expected, Xiao Zhao got anxious, grabbing me with both hands, "Sister Wang, stop being so mysterious, we're close!"

I instantly had a plan in my heart; it seemed Xiao Zhao didn't know my husband was abusive while being with him.

The moment of testing my acting skills had arrived; I immediately reacted on the surface.

A layer of glistening mist covered my eyes; I felt a pang in my nose as I choked and said to Xiao Zhao:

"It's nothing, my husband often beat me back then!"

"Until about a month before Yang, my leg was injured from his beating, and I nearly lost my son. Fortunately, you found my child, Xiao Zhao."

"Oh, isn't it strange? He hasn't hit me since then, no idea how he managed to control himself?"

Xiao Zhao's face turned red and white, hinting at some embarrassment.

I continued to provoke her, "It's okay, my life is better now. Maybe he really changed? What do you think, Xiao Zhao?"

At one moment, I clearly saw a flash of hatred in Xiao Zhao's eyes.

I held Xiao Zhao's hand, pretending unintentionally, "If he hadn't changed, found the child, I would have wanted to perish with him."

Xiao Zhao's hand tightly grasped mine, not saying a word, her expression terribly grim.

"Yes. He will change." Xiao Zhao said.

A trace of indescribable smile appeared on my face.

……

The next day, Xiao Zhao came to find me.

We talked for a long, long time, until my husband came home from work, and then she left.