[Shit, sorry. If you’d mentioned it earlier I totally would’ve done something, but I already promised River.]]
[What do you want? I’ll grab you something on my way back.]
I pulled up the blinds and watched our whole team parade out with River at the center like some kind of queen bee.]
Jake stood next to her grinning like an idiot, holding this massive bouquet of roses and a bunch of fancy gift bags.
They looked like the perfect couple getting showered with congratulations.
Meanwhile, I was hiding in the shadows like some dirty secret.[
[Don’t worry about it. I’ll just grab something myself.]
I waited until the lobby was completely empty before wiping my eyes and heading home.
0
Sitting there with those divorce papers in my lap, this awful bitter feeling settled in my chest.[]
I figured I’d wait for Jake to get back so we could talk about splitting up.
Instead, River showed up at my door.
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
“She got cornered by some creep right outside her place. I had no choice but to bring her back here.“]
“Poor kid just graduated–she can’t afford anything safe. Let’s just let her crash with us for a while.“]
I leaned against the doorframe, saying nothing, just watching River sob into his chest like some wounded bird.]
“When did you become so damn petty?” Jake snapped, letting out this bitter laugh. “Oh right, someone like you would never deal with this kind of shit. Can’t relate, huh?“]
I turned around and shut the door behind me.[]
Thing is, I was broke as hell when I first graduated too. Lived in this sketchy neighborhood where rent was dirt cheap.
Total war zone–dealers, addicts, you name it. Two people got murdered there in one month.]
Every night after work, I’d grip a box cutter in my pocket just to make it upstairs alive.[]
Even being that careful, some psycho still picked my lock one night.[]
Lucky for me, I had nightmares all the time and kept scissors under my pillow. That’s the only reason I didn’t get raped or worse.]
Predators don’t give a damn what you look like when they want to hurt you.[]
I could hear Jake’s voice through the wall, all soft and gentle as he comforted River.[]
It reminded me of three years ago when he used to talk to me like that.[]
During that crazy flood–once–in–a–century storm that trapped me in the underground garage.]
Water was up to my neck, bodies floating past me. I was screaming for help, choking on nasty floodwater.
Right when I thought I was done for, Jake appeared out of nowhere and grabbed my hand, dragging us both toward higher ground.
“Hang on! We’re gonna make it out of this!”
But I was totally spent. He kept falling trying to pull me along.
I was crying, telling him: “Just go! Leave me here!“]
He wouldn’t listen. Gritted his teeth and hauled me onto his back.
“Moe, if we die, we die together.”
After we made it out, I completely lost it, sobbing in his arms right there on the street. He just smiled and said:[]
“Guess we’re ride–or–die now.‘
That’s how we ended up together. Dating, then married.[]
Funny thing is, looking back, I don’t think Jake ever actually said he loved me.[]
River was sleeping in his room–the same room he never let me into anymore.[]
When I opened my bedroom door, he was sitting on the couch like he’d been waiting forever.
“River’s pretty shaken up. She needs someone with her.”
“She’s not comfortable around you, and you know I can’t sleep in strange places,” he said, hesitating. “So… could you maybe grab a hotel room tonight?“[]
Logical and completely insane at the same time.[]
I stared at him, my throat tight: “Sure.“]
I left the signed divorce papers on the table and quickly packed my stuff.[]
On my way out, Jake was in the kitchen making River some honey tea.[]
Watching the steam rise from the mug, I smiled this empty smile and couldn’t help myself:[]
“You need to use warm water, not hot.”
He had this “duh” moment and dumped out the scalding water, muttering thanks without even looking at me.[]
You’re welcome, I thought.[]
My Husband’s Intern Played Came I Played for Kear
Chapter 3
Three years of marriage, and he’d never cooked me a single meal or made me one cup of honey tea.
Guess the difference between love and obligation is pretty obvious.
When he carried the mug back to the bedroom, he noticed my suitcase.
“Damn, you’re taking a lot of stuff.“[
“I need to take care of River, so I won’t walk you out.“[]
I glanced at the pitch–black night outside and nodded like I understood.
I waited in that hotel room for hours. Jake never called–probably too busy playing nurse.
Which meant he never saw those divorce papers.
Next afternoon, passing by the break room, I caught some office gossip.
“They’re totally hooking up. And living together now.“]
“I’ve been shipping them forever. That necklace River’s wearing? Jake bought it. I looked it up–like fifteen grand.“]]
“Someone saw them making out at her birthday party last night.“[]
Bain started pounding against the windows, and my chest felt like someone was squeezing my heart until it burst.[]
I stumbled back to my office, shaking uncontrollably.[]
That flood left me with serious PTSD. Heavy rain still sends me into complete panic mode.
Ten minutes later, Jake rushed in and locked the door, pulling me into his arms.
“Hey, it’s okay. Storm’s almost over.”
c.“]
He automatically reached for my anxiety meds in the desk drawer, but the bottle was empty.]]
“Hold tight, I’ll grab your prescription.“]
He never came back.
My assistant texted:[]
[River’s having bad cramps. Jake, took her to the ER and called in sick.]]]
I pressed my shaking hands flat on the desk and typed back: [Thanks.]]]
Rush hour traffic meant no Ubers, and I was too messed up to drive. So I just huddled in my office waiting.
Around eight, I finally got a ride. But I was so out of it, I forgot to change the address.[]
The driver dropped me off at my old place–the house was all lit up.[]
The moment I walked in, I heard sounds from the guest room. Sounds that made everything crystal clear.[]
I dragged myself down the hallway and saw two bodies tangled together, clothes scattered everywhere.[]
Turns out when pain hits that level, you just go numb.
River wasn’t having cramps, And Jake definitely wasn’t the cold, distant guy I’d been married to.
