Chapter 3
She got cornered by some creep right outside her place. I had no choice but to bring her hack here.“[]
or kid just graduated–she can’t al
it 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 hird
When did you become so damn petty?” Jake snapped, letting out this bitter laugh. “Oh right, someone like you would never deal with this land 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 cheapl
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 m my pocket just to make it upstairs alive||
Dven being that careful, some psycho still picked my lock one night.]
Lucky for me. I had nightmares all the time and loopt 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 p
gonna make it out of this!”
But I was totally spent. He kept falling to
trying to pull me along
I was crying, telling him: “Just go! Leave me herer“]
He wouldn’t luten. Gritted his teeth and hauled me onto his back.
“Moe, if we die, we die t
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 nup She needs someone with her.“]
not emmfortable around you, and you know I can’t sleep in strange places,” he said, hesitating “Su could you maybe grab a hotel coous tumnight? Logical and completely insane at the same time. []
cest at lum, my thrut tight “Sure
Tief 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 “dub” moment and dumped out the scalding water, muttering thanks without even looking at me
You’re welcome, I thought.
Three years of marriage, and he’d never cooked me a single meal or made me one cup of honey tea]]
Guess the
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.”
0
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.”
“Tw 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.“]
Rain started pounding against the windows, and my chest felt like someone was squeezing my heart until it burst.]
I stumbled back to my of
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.“]
He automatically re
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 1
I pressed my shaking hands flat on the desk and typed back [Thanks.]]]
Rush hour traffic meant no Ubers, and I was too
o messed up to drive. So I just huddled in my office wasting
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 rooms. 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.
Hiver wasn’t having cramps. And Jake definitely wasn’t the cold, distant guy I’d been married to
