Just as I was leaving the house I had lived in
for three years, Jake came home.
“Does your face still hurt?”
“I’m sorry, I lost my temper.”
“But you shouldn’t have hit her, no matter
what.”
Jake was back to his usual gentle tone, his
eyes showing concern, but also a hint of
frustration.
Like I was the one who’d done something
<
He reached out to touch my swollen cheek,
but I slapped his hand away.
“I see Sarah’s doing okay.”
Otherwise, why would Jake have the time and
energy to worry about me?
“Why are you being so heartless? She’s still
your half–sister,” Jake said, frowning.
“I don’t have a sister.” I cut him off.
Jake knew how much I hated Sarah and her
mom.
But my reaction just made him angry: “You
still don’t think you did anything wrong.”
<
“Stay here and think about what you’ve done.
I’m not coming home until you realize you
were wrong, and apologize to Sarah.”
“That’ll never happen,” I said coldly.
“You’re impossible.” Jake slammed the door
on his way out.
7
After leaving the house, I found an apartment.
Jake was still at the hospital with Sarah.
Actually, Sarah was fine.
She was just faking, trying to keep Jake by
her side.
Three days passed.
I didn’t hear from him.
Jake tried to act like nothing was wrong, but
Sarah noticed he kept zoning out when they
talked.
“If you’re so worried, you should go check on
Claire. She’s your wife, after all. I’ll be okay.”
Sarah said, her head down, eyes red.
“She’ll be fine.”
He was trying to convince himself as much as
Sarah.
Lately, Jake had been feeling anxious, like
he’d lost something important.
NE U TUSI SUNTEшmy mTT| Lail.
A few more days passed. Jake finally called
- me.
I didn’t answer.
“Is she still not answering?” Sarah asked,
trying to sound casual, but you could hear the
glee in her voice.
“Don’t worry, she’s fine.”
“I bet she’s just trying to get under your
skin.”
“She’s too headstrong, and selfish and
doesn’t think about anyone but herself.”
Jake usually loved hearing Sarah talk, he liked
whatever she bad to say
<
But today, he didn’t agree. He frowned,
annoyed.
He almost said something, but saw Sarah’s
pale, weak face, and bit back the words.
But when Sarah called me selfish, he couldn’t
help but defend me: “You don’t know her, she
isn’t like that.”
Sarah was taken aback. She swallowed back
the comments she wanted to make.
For some reason, Jake was feeling more and
more uneasy.
Finally, ignoring Sarah’s protests, he rushed
home.
But the second he walked in the door, he
froze.
All that was left was a divorce agreement and
the wedding ring he had given me on the
table.
Everything that reminded him of me was
gone.
Jake picked up the divorce papers, quickly
flipping to the last page.
I had already signed it, three days ago.
Jake still didn’t understand why I wanted a
divorce.
Because of that slap? That wasn’t a good
く
His phone rang.
It was his doctor friend.
“Jake, I have to tell you, Claire found out
about the kidney transplant.”
“What?” Jake was stunned.
“She came to the medical records department
a few days ago. I wasn’t there, and the
person filling in didn’t know Claire, so they
gave her the records.”
The phone slipped from his hand and fell to
the floor.
It was like he had no energy left. He collapsed
onto the couch.
L
There was only one thought in his mind.
Claire knew.
Jake thought he had covered his tracks well,
he wanted to hide the truth from me forever.
But the truth always comes out.
Jake closed his eyes.
He thought about the last three years, the
little moments we spent together, and his
heart ached.
He picked up his phone and started calling
- me.
I didn’t answer.
L
He sent me a message, and a red
exclamation point showed up, realizing I had
blocked him.
8
While Jake was panicking, Sarah showed up.
She saw the divorce papers in Jake’s hand,
and struggled to hide her joy.
She plastered a fake look of concern on her
face.
“She’s just acting up, she’s always been
spoiled and impulsive.”
وو
“Don’t worry, she’ll be back in a few days.”
Sarah kept talking, listing all my flaws.
“Just get out!”
Jake’s voice was low, almost a growl, his
anger barely contained.
Sarah stared, her eyes wide, wondering if
she’d heard right.
