Ashley.
Jake’s eyes widened. He dropped my wrist
like it was a hot potato and rushed to her.
The force sent me stumbling. I slammed into
the corner of a table, pain shooting through
my back.
Chloe gasped and ran to help me.
“Bethany! Are you okay?”
Jake didn’t even notice me. He was already
by Ashley’s side, his voice dripping with
concern.
“Ashley, what are you doing here? Is the baby giving you trouble?”
Ashley’s eyes flicked over to me, a flash of
triumph hidden beneath the surface. She leaned against Jake, all delicate and helpless.
“I’ve been so sick lately, and my feet are
swollen. I just wanted to see you.”
Jake scooped her up in his arms, carrying her out.
Chloe, seeing the blood seeping through my
shirt, couldn’t hold back anymore.
Join the bookshelf
<
“Uncle! Bethany is your fiancée! And you’re
treating her like garbage for some mistress!”
Jake stopped. Ashley bit her lip.
“It’s my fault,” she whimpered.
“I’m ruining your reputation…”
Jake gently set her down.
Then, he spun around, marched over to me, and slapped me across the face.
“BAM!”
The sound echoed through the room
<
head snapped to the side.
Jake shook his hand, his eyes filled with rage.
“I thought you were different. But you’re just a vicious bitch. Bethany, I’m warning you: you ever try to turn Chloe against me again, I’ll slap you until you learn your lesson!”
He glared down at me, like I was nothing.
“Eight o’clock, the Midtown Gallery. Don’t be late!”
He stalked off, carrying Ashley.
Chloe, tears streaming down her face, gently
<
helped me up.
“Bethany, I’m so sorry…”
I leaned against the sofa, trying to process
everything.
I managed a weak smile. “It’s not your fault,
Chloe.”
Chloe stomped her foot. “That son of a bitch!
No wonder you forgot him! Good riddance!
Bethany, marry that rich guy! Make him regret
everything!”
I let out a bitter laugh. My back throbbed, but
I was strangely calm.
く
I’m still his fiancée. I need to play along for a
while, tie up loose ends.
Just seven more days.
Then, I’m starting over.
- 2.
Four days to go.
I spent those days healing, and throwing out junk.
Looking at all the crap cluttering up my
apartment, I started tossing it into trash bags.
<
The 999 love letters I wrote, the 365–day
meal plan I made, the suit I sewed, 108 plane tickets to his city, the charm from the temple after walking 9999 steps.
Done, I breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, my heart skipped a beat.
Jake was standing in the doorway, his dark eyes fixed on me and the trash.
His voice was rough:
“Why are you throwing this out?”
My tone was cold.
L
<
“Garbage belongs in the trash.”
Saying that felt great.
But Jake’s fists clenched, knuckles white.
Jake took a breath.
“I overreacted yesterday. At the auction, pick any jewelry you like.”
I said nothing, and went to my car.
Ashley was in the passenger seat, grinning.
I nodded.
