Chapter 11
My jaw dropped in shock, Eindy, cheatin
Unthinkable. Biner memories resurfaced: Jake’a beotal betrayal, killing me for her sake in my past life. Nose, this?
fumbled for my phone reading their conversation without hesitation. As they spoke. I edged closer, capturing every word||
Their tips met, and a wave of disgust washed over nie Endly’s maging with him for financial masoms would have been understandable, but this blatore betrayal ||
My mind reeled. How could she? I continued recording, and detached, as evidence mounted against Endy
As they pred their kiss, Imiledpeyes in disgust. Hi my nection proved costly. Missing a step. I stumbled, gaping loudly ||
Fuck. They must have heard.
Fare set in Faststeps echoed growing deser. Desperate, I scanned my surroundings for a hiding spat. A try aleve beckoned, and 1 darted into its shadows.]
A blinding light neegr across my hiding spor, making me tremtie |
My heart racing, 3 sdently pleaded, “Lord, save me just one more. I promhets be care
L” Endly said, het varre
her voice band with uncertainty
But the many skeptical gaze lingered, scanning the area. Then, our eyes not. My broth ought. Time fesze
He walked toward me, my heart racing every step then, he walked past and textaled a shaky sigh of re
A suddenbenched from the distance, diverting their attention. They sprintedwards the sound, and Ionized the opportunity|||
Idaho, gaping for air. A figured at the gas, ar his hand damped over math.
- Caras per glie ert mine. “Tued he whispered]
No time for questions, i took off pamping my legs as farthey could carry me. Don’t look back.
1 hour through the dose, slamming it shut halind me. Pancing leaned against the mand, my chest heaving||
Igriped the jar, bypassedcheng, and gulped the water directly run. The
“What Mr. Larson had about up?” 1 rombled shudring|||
He must have puk
- The close odi Îngereid.
- to distract them. Tin how didha knowIwn in danger? This was becke nos fint, saving me from my allergies, and now the||
Unsettling questions neiled: How know? Stypheeped eaking there BKBATI EI
Tunlocked it, and the manage chill
Are you home now?]
Instantly, I knew, MT. LATYNI,
I typed,” thanks But how
for how did you know I was in danger?” and wared aroniously f
for Mr. Larton’s respante. Placingsgether the puzzle at his involvement was muc
My phone bread, but his reply toły said, “Stay safe. “|||
Let out a frustrated his, expecting mar fhing my phone com the bed and rubbed my ples. Tonight wired in my mind Emily’s infidelity, Mr. Laras timely intervention
and the Lingering on
That one though brought a slyde to my face–morras Jake’s harthday party. This would be the ultimate gah.
“magine the shock on his face, “I chuckled, isoning the st
Isettled into bed, anticipating aiding Tomarow will be staring
Morning sunlight dreamed through the window, piercing my eyes. I groaned ining from bod. But today was different. I felt an urumial spring in my step
As Tested the kichen, singing at the ap my lungs, I was met with an speed same; Jake embracing Ely. The irony was it. I hart to laughter, unable in cone in myself |
They stared, perplexed, as if I lost my mind. Threszed past them, grabbed or colles, and continued singing.[]
Jake’scurious voice traded behind me. “What making this food so happy!“]
1 praud, turning is face him. The age to reveal my’s Secret Has
is secret was tempting I wanted to scream at himing him who the real foolis
My gaze lingered, a mix of pity and satisfaction. If only he knew the truth–dar he was a pasen in Emily’s game, just like I wait to be in ichgan.]
bene burned with an incoming notification: “Ta waiside.“)]
I swaddy rose from my seat, careful not to drass attention. I slipped out of the house, starring the communting to ensure I use being watched.
The lawyered by car, a nondescrisa inadapurnaced in our locking in a silent understanding ||
“You have everything?” I asked my veins low
He nodded producing a document from his “The property transfer papers. All ved nas
My planwan Falling inin ples. During Jake’s birthday party, the later would discretly presented And the dos, Jake wouldn’t notice the contents]]
I glanced back at the house, muring no prying eyes. Early and jake verre still stövious|||
“Mako sum he sigas“ Hmincied myvoirfem||
The Lowry added tucking the papers away. “Consider in dene“]
[signed the papers, pratitude oversawing “Thank you,” I said, theking the lwyer’s hand.
Hearded. “Itching just clearing my camere:“|||
Thirsked him again andan entendike house, feeling triumphum|||
perty: “A big party” ile sul eyes sparking||
Trhuckled insanly. A public party, a public damendil. This was betterthanlaspected||
Au 1 chushed the stars, jako palled out, “Jest“|
Link did he know,kichirilday would be one is remember||||
Bordest teminisce about past Finklys where
Whoars kaking cakes for joke, only to be ignored as he celebrated with t
for jake, only to be ignored as be celebrated with Endy. My efforts, my time, mean mthing.
Now he was portabe beraad hunt wedkin alopybriday? The auladly,
I think my head chuckling wryly What do men sant, indeede
Uprattrs, 1 grabbed my photo Mr. Larson. I had in dam the commisen mei
“Join me at jokers burchty party tinich “I tested “les piing ro be undirgemadila)
Dervisioned Mr. Lamarrowing unde pod of approved our victory her indica
desorded the inain, drawn by the murmur of voices. The en Ainner rond in the living ro
unting with Emily She handed him a memory card
Copromoties. Play in during the party, okay? |
The event platree nodded, placing the card on the couch. My apes narrowed. What a persem opportunity!
Islaped back spatiin.muroved my memory card, and compiladavideo.
Downstairs, approached Endly and the event planner, a mischi
An approached, I pretended sa trip, Jetting vast sutartled “WHY“]
The per rushed to my “Careful“||
ng the opportunity, I awakdy swapped the memory cards]
Sriting
“Thank you” I said, composing myself, pockoning the card |||
Endly’s voice lashed out, “Watch where you going Door
Landed sheepishly, passing her my eyes lod
“Happy Dieeth bankdag my dear” I whispered my finger trading his unde.||
Om
A slipped in my back, strapless gown, the designer skilled hand securing perfectly. I felt a surge of confidence
My hair, sleek and polished, framed my face, with delicate strands escaping my whisper of makeup and bold red lipstick completed my
1 gated at refection, a mule spreading across my
Tought. I reign” I whispered, my eyes parking with animation!
With a flick of my wrist. I opened my far I stepped into the airwell, my bek Ecking like Adedaration of aid. The
The room fell silent, all arpen draser, no mas
Jake’s scarm smile greeted me, his harida reaching out, but I deftly sidestepped him my fu fattering upward in conceal my mouth.||
Sty page swept the room, lacking ordo indy’s eyes blared with resentment, and I felt all of action. This was only the beginning
“Stuning” samese behind me whe
Took a seat beside jake, who was strategically pastioned beton Tandly and re
transformation
rss the rom
m, and I elbered a wannamde
lenched fur and pointed question, “What’s the meaning of the?” ignored, I chose notes indulge him. My antention shades the
shahed as the lawyer a
High promos began to approach, sozpisiting a dan „but jaka ranchterly insemned.semunding den. Dampsilic
found this amming coroldering our marge existed only on paper. When did he start dining mean has some
Erdly seethed,berger palpable. Who chess someone and still claim obsession? Only Endly
“Care dance?” Mr Larsons voire immermpted my thoughts, and may charks Buched|]]
Jaka sinod, intercepting “She’s wife,” he used before could respond.
Mr. Tarion rated as rycknow. “I thought you had a partner there,” he wit, nuldugtoward Endy, who rise and somedaff
1o Jake mittered, epei dinting krisene Endly and me
He grasped rayharth. “Jen, dam jou dve duce with him,” he word)
“Why?” I who paved arruing mention. “Will yora ha cor? for me? kalline?“]
Jake opened his much to speak, brwon
He stared at me, his eyes lacked in fruitation
Mr. Lance studded his hand his voice vesh May 17
“Jens Jesi, jos” he gritted through cleached teeth, high
Mr Lamana handiwrapped around my wet, ending shivers dosen my spine channewhelming urge to lean into him, serkang support and conn
It was sumal, those of security with some bandykar. Tei, with Mr. Larson, 11 sati, likod mould let any guard down
the music shuted to a soul melody. Mr. Larson’s eyes lacked to mine, his gaze render. He drese me doser, our bodies wying in harmony
His hand rested on the small of my back ending this down my spine. My hands invey found the way to his shoulder, feeling the warmth of his dain through hat mat
Weglided amounthe dance floor, our exposynchronbred if we’d danced together around times
The world around led ang Inning only the so strains of the mic and chepene pressure of his hand on my back.
With nach mag. Ifck angelf bearing inte bán, our bodies aligning like magrets. It bath whispered again my ear, leading tingles down my neck.
“You andy are breathtaking. whispered his voice basky
I smiled, my eyes closing as I bet the music and his presence wash averne. For the first time in years, I det frembered by Jake’s posesivina||
- Mr. Larsen samms, 1 found solace, a sense of belonging The slow dance became a sanctuary, a forting incipi framndy||
“chy did you go out to late? Why didn’t you tell me? I would have helped pandillow Emily‘
“Tir’s my battle, I would rather not stress you” neplied.
He frowned, bis eyes Intense “How many times do i need to remind you that your harde li mine?” he asked, his voice lase and compart
Inane swift motion, be ramed me around, his hands grasping my seast, pulling me close. His breath danced as my skin, sending shivers down my spine
I want to be the one to chase away the demons in your life,” he whispered, hiclips inches from mine
phi takon’t listening. Alltraved sear the tale of his lips, en forhim claim me an his. My heart red, my series overwhelmed||
Fuck Tim going may, I was long myself in his gierung paan
“Are pouren listening?” Mr. Larson asked, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
I nodded, and he pulled me diser, my bands resting on his chest. We wayed to the mac, our movements slow and synchronized.
“How did you knew there last night 71 anked my gars fixed on him.]
Mr. Larson’s eyes darted away, and he sided cryptically. My gaze fallowed Mr. Larson’s gaze, that’s schan I can harm – the lawyer, standing across the moon, a discreet nod in my direction.]
And bude him, Jake, his expression oblivious, but his signature on the papers a betrayal.
A mischievous surile spread an
my face. One dock Men’s arm, the mud ang fin gazila rhythen.
“Thane swapping partners.” he whispered his coke low and possessive. “I hate others touching what’s mine“]
Traised an eyebrows, insigued by his words, but chose to focus on my question bustext||
“How did you know I was there?” jasket|]
One of our staff members saw you” he replied
“why didan they infarmi pake” i pressed.]
Mr. Larson’s eyes lacked ama mine his gaze perringayene knows per doesn’t care about you” he said]]
I bridled correcting him.]
at any man” Lavested.]
“He’s not my
Mr. Lana’s expension hinted at skepticism, but he said an e
The music faded, bou vir Larson grap remained his eyes hurning with admin” to do this dance with youple go out?” he asked.]
Before could repand, jake intervened, has voara lain
“Have some share youre named“]
Trolled my eyes. “And t
o neperrt you, when you were fucking Endy?”
“You re lucky today’s my birthday,” he provded, dragging me away.
thats what you “he spar
Intorted dust erched on my face.“Wan until you
“Wait until you know Eardy’s secre
so you ɑ see who’s the real set
jakesepianowed. “What do you mean?“]
Just then Ely’s voice echoed through the room.
The surprise for Doctor Jake Allation fed to the stage.
jakeelsed me, his smile song, “That’s why she’s different from you. She always makes my day special while you run in
1 chuckled, knowing what was coming. If only he knee]
Happy thiny fith birthday. Jake.” Endly said, her voice gary. “This is my linde git to you“]
The Ephes dinned, and the screen behind her flickered to life inded mischievously ipation ding!]
