Chapter 26 Defamation

<Mia>

"I really don't know!" she shouted back at me.

"Am I supposed to be searching for a lost ex-girlfriend, huh?!" She stared at me with wide eyes.

"Well, she was your friend, how could you not know? You both had the same loose morals back then!"

"You know what?" she pointed at me.

"I'm getting close to losing my patience with you!" She taunted me.

"How am I supposed to know if she didn't tell me where she is? And she never asked about you either. She never mentioned your name to me."

I fell silent at her words.

Maybe it really was that easy for her to leave me. Our seven years together meant nothing to her. We had been through so much, so why did she decide to let go now?

"Just stay with your husband, who doesn't look at anyone else. And it's a good thing she let you go. Yunnie did it for both of you," she placed her hand on my shoulder, comforting me.

"It's hard being Mia," she tried to make me understand.

"I understand her, and she's strong because she made sacrifices. Don't you see that you have no chance anymore?"

"We still have hope, and we choose each other every day. We've been through so much, so why now? She said she'll wait for me." I felt anger welling up inside me.

"Jo, there are things that just aren't meant for us," she said in a deep tone.

"No matter what you do, even if you claim that thing as yours, there will always be circumstances that will make it slip away from you... You've separated from Yunnie many times, and you have to accept that you're not meant for each other. Because she's happy with her new partner... Accept that you're not so lovable and easily replaceable." I couldn't tell if she was comforting me or insulting me.

I cursed at her, and she just laughed.

"Why don't you like your husband, huh? I know so many people like you, but they still look for men. Eggplants are still more satisfying," she said with a wide grin.

"You're disgusting!" I moved away from her a little.

Because of our conversation, I forgot that I needed to use the bathroom. Even my farting stopped. I'll just fart and poop later.

"Why hasn't anything happened between you and hunky Ethan?" She squinted at me.

"I don't believe that nothing has happened between you two. Kieffer told me that Ethan used to have many fubus, and he wouldn't settle for a woman who won't f*ck!"

I furrowed my brow at her words, "What's a fubu?"

"A clothing brand," she said seriously.

"How many times has something happened between you two, huh?" She was prying into my personal life.

I avoided eye contact because this woman had no filter and was wild. She often shared her experiences in that department with me.

"N-nothing yet," I stuttered, unable to look at her.

Besides, Ethan never initiated anything, even though he was addicted to kissing and cuddling. He never pressured me. I even heard that he had never had a girlfriend. In this day and age, handsome guys look for equally attractive partners. Ethan is so hot, and he has a strong appeal.

"I don't believe you! I bet you'd rather search for eggplants than peanuts!" This woman is so disgusting.

"No, really! Ethan and I have an agreement. He wants to have children, but I'm not ready yet. We made a deal that when he turns thirty, we'll start trying, but now he's already thirty-two, and nothing has happened. I feel like he might be gay and just using me," I pouted.

She suddenly burst into laughter at what I said.

"You're crazy! Crazy! No man would not want to sleep with his wife! Maybe he's scared of you and afraid you'll punch him!" she teased, laughing.

I threw an apple at her, and she caught it.

"Damn, Ethan must be really intense if he hasn't scored with you in three years," I slapped her for what she said.

"That's not as rude as your mouth," I gave her a dirty look.

"But seriously, I'm scared now because he mentioned wanting to have children. We had an agreement, and I used it as a way to prevent him from impregnating me and escaping our marriage to be with Yunnie. That woman left me, what am I supposed to do?" I asked her fearfully. "He's serious about it, and it's not a joke."

I'm sure Ethan meant it.

"Well, go for it! Your husband looks delicious and well-endowed! Damn, he's showing."

What?! What is she talking about? I have an idea, but I want to make sure I'm right.

"You know what? You're lucky to have a husband who doesn't make you a mistress and still respects you. If you don't want him, just give him to me."

I got annoyed at what she said. Who does she think Ethan is? Something to be given away!?

I felt my blood pressure rise and my anger boiling inside because of what came out of her mouth. I've been steering the conversation away, but she keeps mentioning Ethan and her eyes light up. Her eyes are so big, they're almost popping out. She must have been conceived by her mother with a tarsier.

"Do you have feelings for my husband, huh!?" I asked angrily. Anger was clearly visible on my face.

"Who wouldn't have feelings for your husband? A hot, rich doctor who's sweet and well-endowed!" she said with a flutter.

"You son of a b*tch!" I cursed at her in frustration. And now she's even trying to snatch my husband.

"You're really fit to be a mistress because you keep going after married men."

My blood pressure was rising!

"You're asking for it, huh!? I only mentioned having a crush on your husband. You're foul-mouthed, Mia!" She seemed hurt by what I said, but I didn't care.

She likes getting involved with married men, and she has ruined many families. But in the end, she also ends up breaking up with the men. If she dares to mess with us, she'll have me to deal with. I'll confront her because I'll sue her, even if we're friends!

"Do you plan to become a mistress, huh!?" I looked at her with disdain.

I shouted at her.

"You're even trying to snatch my husband from me!"

"Oh, so I just mentioned being attracted to your husband, and you react like this!? I thought you were crazy about Yunnie!? You sound like a pathetic jealous wife!" she mocked me.

I clenched my fists in anger.

"Madam, are you fighting!?" Rose asked, but I ignored her. She probably heard us because of how loud we were arguing. If I'm a hothead, Lorena is even more so, which is why we often end up fighting and getting into fights.

"Son of a bitch! Get out of here before I pull your hair out!" I threatened her, giving her a fierce look.

I continued to speak, "So you have desires for my husband, that's why you keep asking about him!" I accused her.

"You know, Ethan wouldn't like dirty women like you!" I was so angry, I didn't even know what I was saying.

Suddenly, she slapped me hard, and Rose was taken aback.

"Oh my! Pina! Pina! Call Sir!" Rose hurriedly instructed. It turns out this gossiping woman was still here, eavesdropping again.

"You damn mistress!" I yanked her hair back in retaliation, and she fought back.

"Oh my goodness! Don't fight! Madam, why did you pick a fight with Ma'am Lorena?" I heard Rose say before she approached us.

I punched Lorena in the stomach when I found an opening. She grabbed my hair tightly in response.

I really threw punches, refusing to be bullied by someone like her.

"Sir! Sir! Madam is fighting! She's beating up her friend!" I heard Pina say.

What!? I'm the bad one here! She twisted the story. Brace yourself, Pina. You'll have to deal with me too.

"You don't even want your husband, so why are you so affected by what I said!? I just mentioned having a crush on him!" she repeated, pulling my hair harder.

Her hair-pulling hurt, I felt like she was going to pull it out.

“We can share Ethan," she taunted me.

Even without looking, I knew she had a smirk on her face.

"You're such a promiscuous mistress! I don't know why I befriended someone like you!" Disgust was evident in my voice.

I tried to kick her, but she evaded it.

"I also don't know why I allowed someone like you, who always farts and has body odor, to be my friend!"

Her words infuriated me even more. I don't have body odor anymore. I've changed lives, and I can afford to buy deodorant now! And besides, is there anyone who doesn't fart?

"Our friendship is over!" I said through gritted teeth.

"Even if you don't say it! I don't want a dumb friend like you!" she retorted.

I was annoyed by everything she was saying because they were all true.

"What the fucking hell!"

Both Lorena and I let go of each other's hair as we were startled by the thunderous voice.

"What the hell is fucking happening here!?" Ethan shouted angrily, his gaze filled with darkness.

"Sir, I saw Madam being the first one to pull her friend's hair, and she's been yelling at her since earlier!" Rose reported.

I wasn't the one who started it! Lorena slapped me first, and I only retaliated.

I just looked at Ethan as he disappointedly stared at me.

I didn't do anything, and I'm innocent.

"Mia is saying foul words to me," Lorena innocently claimed.

"I-I wasn't the o-one who s-started it," I stammered, tears welling up, "s-she started it, she slapped m-me." I defended myself, my voice trembling with fear.

Ethan's eyes grew angrier, and his jaw clenched.

"She's saying foul words towards me. I can sue your husband, Doc," Lorena said as she fixed her disheveled hair.

"Sir, I actually saw Madam as the one who attacked first. She suddenly pulled her friend's hair and even punched her. Look, sir, there's a scratch on her friend's cheek," Rose added.

"Mia Zoey, let. Us. talk," Ethan said sternly and firmly, his gaze still fixed on me. I suddenly burst into tears because he seemed to believe others more than me. I wasn't the one who started the physical altercation; I only fought back. I wouldn't allow myself to be mistreated so easily.

It was our first time having a physical altercation with Lorena, and it felt like our friendship was truly over.

"I'm leaving," Lorena said, bidding her farewell, but no one paid attention to her.

I was crying in front of Ethan. His jaw was clenched as he approached me.

"Clean this mess," he coldly ordered the household staff, then he dragged me to our bedroom. He didn't want us to fight and argue in front of other people.

"Ethan, she was the o-one... she slapped m-me first, and I only retaliated," I explained.

He held me tightly, his gaze dark and unblinking. His grip on me was firm, and he was trying to intimidate me with his reaction.

"Just leave for a moment, Mia Zoey, and you've already started a fight," he said forcefully.

I glanced at the clock, realizing it was already past lunchtime.

He locked the door once we were inside the room. He took a deep breath and let out a sigh. He closed his eyes tightly and massaged his temples. He looked worn out.

He opened his eyes, and his expression remained angry.

"Why did you punch your friend? Are you okay?" His face softened as he approached me, cupping my face. He examined my face for any injuries. I cried at his actions.

"A-Aren't you angry?" I asked, tears streaming down my face.

He pulled me towards the bed and made me sit, then he fetched a chair. We faced each other.