Chapter 2

2

After telling the maid to leave for the day, I am left alone in the house.

I look around at all the furniture and decorations we had spent so long putting together, and I give a bitter chuckle.

Not that long ago, Jake put his arms around me and said, "Sarah, let's have a baby."

I was already in poor health, but for his sake, I looked everywhere for specialists.

I drank Chinese herbs like water, and didn't miss a day of acupuncture.

I just got pregnant after so long, and now I learn the truth?

I sit on the couch until it gets dark, and only then do I hear the sound of the front door opening.

The lights come on, and Jake walks in.

He sees me sitting on the couch and holds me close. "Why are the lights off?"

I shake my head and avoid him. "I just woke up. I was waiting for you to come back."

Jake doesn't suspect anything and kisses me on the forehead.

"Sarah, you need to take care of yourself, or else I won't be able to forgive myself."

His voice is as gentle as ever, but I can't feel anything in my heart. I just think about how well he can act.

How could he go this far with someone he doesn't even love, just for Cindy?

I lean against Jake's chest, and then I hear him say something casual:

"Honey, Cindy gets out of prison soon. You two were sisters for more than ten years, and she's already been punished. Maybe you can just let it go?"

My eyes sting, and I try to force myself to say, "You said it yourself, we're sisters. I won't blame her anymore."

Jake visibly relaxes, smiling.

"I knew you were the most kind-hearted person, Sarah. I'll cook for you tonight."

I watch him walk into the kitchen, and I turn my head to wipe away the tears.

Just then, Jake's phone rings.

I pick it up and unlock it with Cindy's birthday.

On a personal messaging app, Jake's friends had sent him the following message:

[Jake, Cindy's flying back tomorrow, and the boys and I have gotten all the things you wanted.]

The image below was of ten-thousand acres of roses, and of a necklace that was worth a billion dollars.

As I scrolled up, I started to realize that every time Jake went on a business trip, it was just so he could see Cindy.

And his friends were helping him lie to me.

I clicked on Jake's social media, and the first things that came up were photos of Cindy and Jake together.

An announcement of their marriage, photos of them traveling, kissing...

All of the comments were from people we knew.

I was the only one who wasn't allowed to see it.

It felt like my heart was being torn to shreds. I dug my nails into my arm to calm myself down.

We have been married for five years, but no one knows that I'm Jake's wife.

I chuckle ruefully and place the phone back where I found it.

I don't want this marriage anymore.