My brother-in-law My husband
Chapter 30

Catherine waited until Marco closed the door and heaved a sigh of relief. He was afraid Marco would snap at him again.

He did the same when he was with Marcell. Because Marcell would always call him and even taunt him for days if he spent something quite expensive with his cards.

Even if she bought a dress for 1 million, Marcell would mock her, saying she spent a lot of money on something she couldn't use because she was fat and ugly.

"Marcell always told me to spend anything with his cards because he's rich. But always laughing and mocking me, even bringing up the fact that I spent the money every time we fought," Catherine murmured as Marcell's memories scorned her and flashed more in her head.

"The police happen so often, it makes me wonder if Marcell deliberately persuaded me to buy anything with his cards, just to laugh at me, so I always felt guilty…." Catherine judging.

He may not like Marco because of his mood swings, his uncertainty, and his general insanity.

"But at least he was willing to be professional and reduce my salary to buy things. It's better, so I don't feel guilty spending the money…."

*****

Catherine picked up Manda from her maths tutor and went to the upper east side.

"Where are we going?"

"We're going to replenish our groceries!" answer Catherine.

"Gee!" Manda always likes to shop for groceries because Mommy always allows her to buy all kinds of snacks—es cream, cookies, potato chips, and more!

"And I know you must be very tired today, so we're going to go to your favorite restaurant!"

"WAHHHH! Is it at Uncle Daryl's Stars Food restaurant?!" ask Manda—talking about her favorite restaurant. They often visited the place until they were recognized by Daryl, the owner of the restaurant.

It was kid-friendly, and Manda liked to eat strawberry cakes and other sweet treats at the restaurant.

"Yes, we're going there for dinner! I'll allow you to order not one but two desserts!"

Manda was so happy she started making funny dances with her hands.

Catherine chuckles. She was happier every time she saw her daughter happy, even dancing. At some point, he had already committed suicide with all the cheating, humiliation, and emotional abuse committed by Marcell—he had started to commit suicide.

He doesn't know why he should live when the man he loves and faithfully uses him as an emotional samsak for his entertainment.

But she remembered that her daughter still needed her.

Marcell can go to hell for everything he cares about, but Manda needs his presence, and her daughter becomes the only support system for him.

"Manda, are you happy now?"

"Umm, yes! Manda used to be sad, but now I'm happy!" replied Manda cheerfully. "Why are you asking, Mom?"

Catherine shook her head as she continued to drive, "It's okay, dear."

Catherine and Manda go to one of the biggest Marketplaces to buy groceries for Marco. The day was already sick when they arrived, so it wasn't too crowded.

Actually, Catherine and Manda also went grocery shopping here. They will drive away from their mansion to the upper east side, where this market is located.

Then, they would go to Stars Food for dinner, just the two of them.

Marcell rarely comes home because he is busy with his business—with a side activity of attaching his objects to every girl he meets.

Sometimes, Catherine was tired of driving Manda every morning and evening to her school, followed by buying groceries. When she was at home, she had to cook and wash clothes.

In fact, there were at least a few housemaids and female gardeners who cleaned the mansion every two days. So, Catherine was only required to cook for Manda and wash the family clothes.

But he did it himself amid deliberate depression and hunger for his diet, leaving him feeling very weak, sometimes even nauseous.

He asked Marcell if it was possible to get a driver, at least. But she refuses, calling Catherine a thirsty whore because she will definitely make love to the driver in person.

So, the only man in their mansion is Marcell.

'Ah, I think he fucked some waitresses too. Maybe that's why she kicked me out of the house a few times with Manda when she was at home because she was fucking the waitress in the living room, ' Catherine recalled those painful memories again.

Catherine took out two cartons of milk, but she suddenly heard someone commenting from behind,

Catherine turned around and was startled by the beauty of the woman in front of her.

She was wearing a pink tank top that contrasted with her beautiful skin and short denim, carrying a shopping cart filled with groceries for one person. He looks very young when dressed like this, compared to his usual blazer style in the office.

"Diamonds?"

"That's right," Diamond replied with a faint smile on her beautiful lips. He glanced at the shopping cart and asked,

 "Are you shopping for Mr Phoenix Sebastian right now?"

"Yes, I need to refill the fridge."

*****

Before they left the milk section, Diamond watched the little girl who was after him while taking shelter behind Catherine's feet,

"Is that your daughter?"

"Ah, yes, her name is Amanda, or people used to call her Manda. Manda, go and greet Miss Diamond," Catherine said as she gently pushed Manda forward.

Realizing that Manda was afraid and ashamed, she asserted, "Don't be afraid. Miss Diamond is Mommy's friend at the new job."

Manda squeezed her Mommy jeans while continuing to stare at Diamond, "S—Good day, miss Diamond…."

Diamond smiled and sifted in front of Manda. He knows he is tall and can intimidate small children, especially shy like Manda.

"Good morning, Princess. My name is Diamond Johnson. Instead, you can call me Aunt Diamond. What's your name again?"

Amanda paled immediately upon hearing the word 'Auntie.' She quickly covered behind Catherine's feet again and buried her face in her thighs.

Diamond frowned. That is not a normal reaction that comes from a child.

"Mom, I'm scared!"

"I—it's okay, you can just call her Miss Diamond. She's not your aunt, is she, Miss Diamond?" Catherine looked at Diamond with pleading eyes, and Diamond was getting more and more confused.

But she finally gave up, "Sorry, Little Princess. I'm not your aunt. Instead, you can call me Miss Diamond, okay?"

"Um.." Amanda nodded weakly.

"N—My name is Amanda Rose Sebastian. Miss Diamond can call me Manda…."

"OK, Manda, nice to meet you," Diamond smiled again, hoping that Manda would relax.

Catherine breathed a sigh of relief. Diamond stood up and asked Catherine in a low voice, "What's wrong with your daughter, Catherine?"

"There's something bad going on between him and Sebastian's family. I'll tell you later," Catherine replied in the same low voice, as she didn't want Manda to get any more frightened.

Diamond glanced at Manda, who looked very frightened when she heard the word aunt, and she sympathized with Catherine and her daughter.

'Tn 'Tn. Phoenix Sebastian and his entire family were completely screwed in the head. I'm so glad I had nothing to do with him personally, ' thought Diamond.

*****

Diamond told her about every brand Marco liked or disliked, and Catherine tried to remember everything because of her luck meeting Diamond today. He could not rely on it at all times.

Diamond also told Catherine that Marco refused to eat a lot of vegetables and completely refused to eat fish.

"Don't you? That's weird…." Catherine muttered.

"Yes, he hates fish the most. In fact, I don't think it's because of the fishy smell. Because he's still eating caviar or any fish eggs" Diamond explained. He saw Catherine was thinking something and asked,

"What's wrong?"

"Ah, it's okay. I only thought of something in the past," Catherine shook her head.

They continued to shop for groceries until the cart was full of goods and spent more than two hours inside.