Chapter 3
I woke up the next morning to find Jake
home.
He sat at the dining table.
The table was covered with the food I used to
love.
But the stench now made me want to throw
- up.
I forced a few bites.
Jake frowned. “Why aren’t you eating?”
I forced a smile.
“I’m not in the mood.”
Г
Jake knew it was a special day.
It was my 26th birthday, and my parents‘
death anniversary.
He drove me to the cemetery.
Jake gave me the flowers.
He bowed a few times in front of my parents‘
grave.
I laid down the flowers.
“Mom and Dad, I’m sorry. You wouldn’t have
died.”
I ran away with Jake when I was 19, giving up
my future.
L
My parents told me I would regret it.
But I had been steadfast.
My parents were disappointed in me.
Then, my mom and dad drove to see me for
my birthday and died in an accident.
They died on the way.
I haven’t had a birthday since.
Jake was the one who held me when I found
out.
I wondered how many times I had cried while
he didn’t even know.
I rubbed their faces in the picture.
く
“Mom, Dad, I regret it.”
I regretted running away.
It started raining. Jake was nowhere to be
seen.
I got a text from Jake.
“Evie, I had to go deal with work.”
“Get home safe in a taxi.”
I checked my texts.
I opened my feed and saw Summer’s post.
“Happy with my teddy bear boyfriend. I want
time to stop.”
L
I saw Jake’s watch.
I knew.
Jake had lied.
The Jake who vowed to never let me down,
on my 26th birthday, was with Summer.
The rain was pouring.
I couldn’t get a taxi because it was blocked
off.
I had two contacts.
I called Jake.
“Jake, it’s raining. Can you pick me up?”
Summer answered the phone.
“Is this Evie? Sorry, Jake is buying me food.”
“You ran away with Jake, but Jake chose
me.”
I squeezed my phone.
“Are you going to be the other woman?”
Summer laughed. “Love is not about being
first. It’s about who gets loved.”
“While you are calling Jake, I’m in bed waiting
for him.”
I hung up and started walking.
I received a call from Lewis.
く
“Jake, I’m so cold.”
When I came to, it was evening. Lewis had
saved me.
There were no messages on my phone.
