- 7.
Jake got fired. I overheard the garage owner on
the phone with him. “I’m sorry, Jake, but this
guy is too powerful. There’s nothing I can do…”
Jake smoked, his expression unreadable. He
hung up and called out, “Babe?”
<
I braced myself, expecting to comfort him.
Instead, he said, “I think I stink. Help me
shower?” I blinked. He didn’t look the least bit
upset. And a shower…? I blushed crimson.
“Why are you always thinking about that?”
“About what?” He raised an eyebrow. “I’ve got
a cast on my right arm, can’t get it wet. Just
asking for help with the shower.” He leaned in,
whispering in my ear. “Unless… you have
something else in mind? Tell me. Even if it
costs me this arm, I’ll make it happen.”
Mortified, I forgot all about his job and stomped
into the bathroom. I could hear him chuckling
behind me.
But in the shower, he noticed the marks on my
neck. His fingers gently traced the bruises.
“What happened here?” I hadn’t even realized.
There was a cut and some finger–shaped
bruises, probably from my struggle earlier. I
tried to hide them with my hair. “Nothing. Just
an accident.” He scoffed. “Accidentally choked
yourself and scratched your own neck?”
I had to tell him the truth. “I went to get my
things from the old apartment. Some guys
followed me in.” Seeing his face darken, I
rushed to add, “But nothing happened.
Someone helped me.”
He didn’t speak. We stood there in silence. The
steam in the small bathroom cleared, and the
air turned chilly. I shivered. He wrapped me in a
towel. I tugged at his hand. “Are you mad?” “I
shouldn’t have let you go alone.” His eyes were
full of regret and concern. But it was my fault. I
couldn’t hold it back anymore. I spilled
everything. “It was Ashton. The guy with the
roses at school. The Hummer was his. He
trashed the factory on purpose, to get to you.
He hired those men, waiting there to ‘rescue‘
- me. He even knew about the old apartment,
threatened to sue you…” “I don’t know why he’s
so obsessed with me. I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.
If it wasn’t for me…” I broke down, sobbing
uncontrollably, releasing all the pent–up pain.
from both lifetimes. I didn’t understand. I’d
く
never done anything to Ashton. Why wouldn’t
he leave me alone?
Jake wiped my face. “Always with the
waterworks.” “Aren’t you mad at me?” “For
what? For being so beautiful that creeps hit on
you?” He… I sniffled, the tension broken. “Jake,
do you regret it?” “Regret what?” “Marrying
me.” He countered, “Do you regret marrying a
broke, unemployed mechanic?” I shook my head
fiercely. “My wife has no regrets. Why would I?”
He smirked. “My wife, she didn’t even want the
rich guy. She chose me. Paid me to marry her,
even. What do I have to complain about?” His
words made me cry again.
I burrowed into his chest. “I love you.” He
stiffened, surprised by my confession. He held
me tight, his voice husky. “I’m here for you,
babe.”
