Chapter 4%
“Uhm, Jason, look, Emma’s here,” Ava said, her voice dripping with sweetness.
Jason turned his head, and for a split second, I saw panic flash across his face. But just as quickly, he masked it with a practiced.
calm.
“I was just helping Ava… wipe her body. She slipped, you know how her health is..” he stammered, trying to cover up his lie, but it only made my stomach chum
“Don’t lie to me,” I snapped. I’m not stupid.”
A surge of anger boiled up from deep within me, and before I could stop myself, my hand shot out, slapping him hard across the face.!!
“You two are naked in each other’s arms, just wiping each other down? Jason, do you really think I’m blind?>
“Jason! Are you okay?” Ava suddenly threw on a bathrobe, rushing to him with feigned concem, her hand gently caressing his red cheek as if it were all too much for her to handle.
“Emma, please, don’t be mad, It’s my fault I shouldn’t have come here…. I shouldn’t have….
Watching her play the victim made me feel sick to my stomach…
She was the one who destroyed everything between us.
Now, was she pretending to be innocent?!
The hypocrisy was unbearable.
g but a shameless homewrecker”
“Cut the act!” I hissed. “You knew he was engaged, yet you still went after him. You’re nothing Ava seemed taken aback, retreating behind Jason and starting to sob. “Jason, I’m so scared….. Then, before I could process what was happening. Jason shoved me hard, sending me crashing to the ground. My head hit the cold tile with a jarring thud.!!
“Emma, are you done yet?” he snapped.
“I told you! Ava and I haven’t done anything! Why can’t you stop acting crazy?”
Then, without warning, he slapped me across the face. The pain spread like wildfire, and I covered my check, still in shock.
Was this really the man I had loved for seven years?2
My heart felt like it was frozen like I had fallen into an icy pit, and every breath I took felt sharp and bitter!
*Jason, we’re done! Let’s forget about the wedding. I’m not marrying you anymore!” I shouted, my voice shaking with hurt and anger. Jason seemed to brush it off as if it were nothing more than a tantrum. He sneered, then casually scooped Ava into his arms and started toward the door.”
I struggled to push myself up from the floor the pain in my head making everything blur. My vision wavered in and out of focus.!!
How pathetic.
I was still hoping, still holding on to the faintest hope that he would turn around and explain himself.
“Jason, stop right there!” I called out, my voice desperate
He paused, turned around, and gave me a look full of disdain like I was beneath him. “Emma, stop making a scene. The more you act like this, the more I’ll hate you.”
Tears began to fall without warning: They felt hot against my cold skin, and I could taste the bitterness on my lips.
I fought to stand, my legs unsteady as I stumbled toward the mirrorl
The reflection staring back at me was unrecognizable: messy hair, pale skin, eyes swollen from crying. I looked like a mess–nothing like the confident woman I once was.”
I had been with Jason for seven years.
From elementary school to college, we were inseparable. Everyone saw us as the perfect couple, destined to get married right after graduation.
I gave up my chance to study abroad for him, chose to stay in the city, and dedicated my whole life to building a future with him!!
I thought our love was unbreakable. I thought he was my rock. I thought…/
But now,
was all just an illusion. A ridiculous dream.
Seven years. Over a thousand days and nights. I gave him my heart, my youth–everything. And for what?!
I had been such a fool.
