Later that night as Jake walked into our room, he was stunned to see the deep cut on my forehead.
“Stacy…” his voice trembled for a moment. If I had not seen him with his brother’s woman, making out in the same bed he shared with me for three years, I would assume his shock was genuine.
“Why didn't you tell me your wound was this deep?” he rushed to my side after picking the first-aid box I had tossed around.
“Let me clean it for you.” He reached out to clean the wound. But, I brushed his hands off, saying in an indifferent voice, “It's merely a scratch, Jake. No need to worry.”
After throwing out these words, I got up in my chair. Making my way to the door, I said. “I’m going to sleep in the guest room. I’m feeling suffocated here.”
“Stacy…” he whispered, “Is this about the morning?”
“If you want Leo and me not to see Linda-”
“It's alright.” I cut him off, “I have no problem with it. After all, she raised him while I was away.”
He reached out to me. Holding my hands, he pulled me in his arms. The same arms that had held Linda hours before. The smell of her perfume still lingered around him and made me feel like throwing up. My gaze swept under his collarbone, a lipstick mark printed on it. The shade of lipstick Linda had worn today.
I quietly broke our hug.
As if a burden getting released, he took a sigh of relief.
“I knew it.” He said, “You have always been mature and kind. Elder Brother died before giving a child to Linda. It's our responsibility to make her feel comfortable. After all, she is a family member.”
“Is this so?” I asked, raising my eyebrows. “Do you only see her as your sister-in-law?”
A moment of hesitation flickered through his eyes. I could feel his heart skipping a beat before he regained his composure as he replied, “Linda and I have a history, Stacy. But, that's all in the past. The day after she got married to my elder brother, I never had any bad thoughts about her.”
He was lying on my face!
But, I did not expose him. I simply smiled and walked away.
The memories of our first night abruptly played in my head. That night, he came drunk. Undressing me, he threw me on bed, deflowered me and told me I was the only woman he loved.
But, the last word coming out of his lips, drained all the blood from my body. He whispered, “I love you… Linda. Please, don't leave me.”
That day, I knew Linda was his first love. But, she was his sister-in-law, and as an adopted child of Vance family, I knew how much value they gave to blood relation. I knew it was impossible between Jake and Linda.
Being blinded in love and affection I had for him since childhood, I believed I would change his heart. So what if Linda was his first love, I would be his last.
But, I was wrong.
I failed to win his heart. Despite sharing a bed with him for three years, from learning new skills just to impress him during the night to cooking meals and taking care of his chores, I could not shake the desire he had for Linda in his heart.
Looking back at me, I had really been living in delusion.
The sound of my phone’s vibration pulled me back from the Abyss of darkness as I looked at my screen. It was Taylor, the man I expected would be the last I would seek help from.
[Everything is planned. In the next three days, you will be dead to the entire world.] He had texted.
[There is no turning point after faking your death, Stacy. You still don't. Because no matter what I’m coming to get you even if it costs me everything I have built for years]
I quickly texted him before I threw my phone aside. [My decision is final. I’m leaving Jake and Leo for good. Never coming back.]
After I texted Taylor, I threw myself on the bed laid on the guest room. A small luggage was placed in the corner. I did not need to pack anything. I hadn't unpacked my stuff yet after arriving from Switzerland.
As I stared at the plane ceiling of the guest room, I told myself. Just three more days, hang on. After that, I’ll be free.
