Chapter 18 An Unnecessary Casualty +25 BONUS Ava had fallen asleep before we could reach home . After parking the car , Matthew went to pick her her to the room . Once he tucked her in , I got ready to bathe . up and carry Meanwhile , Matthew's phone kept buzzing , and he would glance at it before hanging up . He seemed uneasy ; I knew it was because he wouldn't dare answer it when I was around . I took a change of clothes and my phone to the bathroom . After placing my things aside , I turned on the water and left the door slightly ajar to listen for any movement outside . As expected , I heard Matthew speaking into the phone hushedly . ( 3 Since that was the case , I called Ivanna and only heard the busy tone . It confirmed my suspicion that Matthew was talking to her on the phone . 2 My hands trembled with anger as I showered hastily and left the bathroom . Matthew heard my footsteps and quickly disconnected the call . He entered the room from the balcony and feigned ignorance , saying , " Hey , honey , are you done ? " 1 He faked a smile and took the towel from my hand . Then he stood behind me to dry my hair with it . I knew his mind was elsewhere and asked casually , " Who just called you ? " 2 " It was my mom , " Matthew replied before I could barely finish my sentence . 2 Suddenly , Ava cried out and caused Matthew to panic . He shoved the towel in my hand and rushed to her room to avoid my probing questions . 1 Meanwhile , I stood rooted with the towel and pondered momentarily . I knew Matthew had lied again since the call couldn't have been from his mother , as I had dialed her number to confirm that she hadn't made any calls . 5 I leaned against the bathroom wall and felt utterly helpless . Just then , Matthew walked in while still carrying Ava . She had woken up because she needed to pee , so he took her to the toilet . 6 Ava was still half - asleep , not even opening her eyes as she peed . It seemed she must've had too much to drink during dinner . 2 Suddenly , Matthew's phone rang again . The ringtone was jarring in the small bathroom . Matthew flinched and forgot he was holding Ava in his haste to reach for his phone . 2 Ava slipped and fell , hitting the toilet before landing on the wet floor . I watched in horror , unable to catch her in time . She had fallen from the toilet seat to the damp ground and was now bawling in agony . 4 I rushed over , leaving Matthew stunned . I picked up our daughter and noticed her lips bleeding as they had scraped against the tiles . e " Matthew Murphy , you idiot ! " I yelled at him as e stood frozen , then left the bathroom with Ava in my arms . Ava cried as her swollen lip trembled . I sat on the couch to wipe the blood off her lips with some tissues , with a heart aching so intensely that I struggled to breathe . Meanwhile , the phone kept ringing , and Matthew was still shocked over what had just happened . It was either that or guilt had consumed him over his carelessness . Nonetheless , he followed me out and watched Ava's bloodied lips with a panicked expression , trying to console her . 3 I trembled as I carefully pressed the tissues to Ava's lips , comforting her by kissing her forehead repeatedly . An inexplicable pain surged through my body . I never expected the man I had always considered a perfect husband 1/2 Chapter 18 An Unnecessary Casualty +25 BONUS and great father to become so infatuated with another woman that he would forget his daughter . 2- Ava was so young , yet she became a casualty of our failing marriage . I couldn't take it anymore and shouted , " Answer the damn phone ! I want to see who's calling you so persistently ! Answer ! " Matthew hurriedly silenced the phone while I held Ava tightly . My dear daughter had just woken up from her peaceful sleep just to endure such pain . Then , she was horrified before she could recover from the fall . 2 My regret for letting Matthew care for Ava overwhelmed me . Ultimately , I remained seated on the couch , frantically wiping Ava's blood with tissues . I said sobbingly , " D - Don't cry , baby . Mommy's sorry ! " 3 I couldn't hold back my tears while cradling her . 1 " Honey , I'm so sorry . I - I ... " Matthew was frantic and lost . I glared at him , my voice hoarse from shouting , " Are you even a human being ?! Are you ? Look at me and tell me if you are . Can you even face your daughter ? Tell me who called you now ! Why didn't you answer ? " 3 Matthew looked flustered as he gulped . His eyes were shifty , and his lips twitched while avoiding my gaze . " I - It was ... Ivanna . She wanted me to cover for her because she's seeing someone else and thought you might find out . S -So , she called to ask me for advice . 8 " I didn't want you to think poorly of me , so I hid it from you . I know you hate these things , " Matthew's voice trembled , but his explanation was sincere . He even revealed an air of earnestness and vulnerability . 4 I looked at him and felt utterly defeated because he refused to tell the truth . I shook with anger , and his phone started ringing again . 3