Jake breathed a sigh of relief and scooped me
up out of the chair, like I was a doll, “You’re
such a mess sometimes. The guests are here, let’s get you back for our anniversary.” He
kissed me on the forehead, but it just felt like
ice against my skin.
When we got to the party, everyone was staring at us, all jealous that Jake was carrying me. But I only had eyes for the three–tier strawberry
cake in the middle of the room. I’m lactose-
intolerant, like really bad, and strawberry’s
Mia’s favorite flavor. Of course.
Just as I was getting settled, Mia came bouncing over to Jake, tugging on his arm. “When are we cutting the cake?” she whined. “It’s your anniversary, but you got my favorite
cake. That’s so unfair!”
Jake just chuckled and rubbed her nose,
“Patience, little piggy. I’ve gotta give your aunt
her gift first.”
He put a bracelet on my wrist. I remembered a
collector friend of mine telling me how Jake
had hired her to find him a top–tier imperial
<
jade necklace and she gifted him a bracelet
with it. Now that imperial jade was hanging
around Mia’s neck, and my bracelet was
slipping off my wrist.
When it was time for the dance, like every year,
I sat on the sidelines. Mia grabbed Jake’s arm,
“Auntie, since your legs are kinda useless, mind
if I open the dance floor with Jake?” she asked,
not even waiting for an answer before they
went out there.
Jake held Mia close, like she was some rare
and precious object. It was obvious, all he saw
was Mia. It was supposed to be our anniversary
party, but it was all about them. I guess he does
this every year, so he can get close to her.
People around me were whispering, “Wow,
Mia’s such an incredible dancer. She’s way
more suited to him than his wife.”
“I know, right? The wife used to be a hotshot,
but now she’s just a broken mess. Jake will be
over her soon.”
Jake couldn’t have cared less about what
anyone was saying, dancing like he was
<
hypnotized by Mia, ignoring me. That’s when I
knew I needed to make a break.
I slipped away, called my lawyer to draw up a
divorce agreement, and secretly booked a
service for a fake death, like a fake–out to
make it look like I was really gone.
The Truth Unveiled
After the party, I watched from my window as
everyone left. I saw Jake, just staring after Mia
as she drove away. Only then did he come
inside. He practically threw me onto the bed,
kissing me all over.
“Tell me you love me, please?” he begged.
“You’re mine. You always will be.”
Then it hit me. He was always like this, all
urgent and needy, right after he’d been with
Mia. He was just using me.
I felt sick to my stomach. I was crying, and he
noticed, backing away.
“Honey, what’s wrong? Did I hurt you?” He
sounded so concerned, it was almost comical. I
pushed him away and puked my guts out.
He rubbed my back, acting so worried. “Do you
<
want me to call a doctor?”
