Chapter 2

2.

It was nearly dawn when Jaxson returned to the bedroom, smelling like heavy perfume.

As he pulled off his shirt, I saw the smear of lipstick on his collar.

Our eyes met, and a flash of panic crossed his face.

After a long silence, he sighed.

"I was just trying to pull Sutton down from the chair. I must have bumped into her. I'm sorry, I'll be more careful next time."

His apology sounded so sincere.

I didn't grill him like I used to.

I just said flatly, "Then, according to our deal, that's another Regret Pill."

Jaxson knew about the pills.

He knew that when they ran out, I would leave.

But he wasn't worried at all.

"Fine. I'll get it for you. It's not like you're running low anyway."

As he walked toward the nightstand, a strange sense of anticipation rose in my chest.

What would he do when he saw there were only two left?

I heard the sound of the lid hitting the floor.

Then came his confused voice.

"Savannah... why are there only two left?"

I took a soft breath and began to list every betrayal, one by one.

His face grew paler with every word.

By the time I finished, he rushed over and pulled me into a tight embrace.

"I was wrong. From now on, it's just us. We're going to make this work."

I didn't say anything.

He looked up at me, his eyes searching mine.

"Even if the pills run out, you wouldn't actually leave me, right?"

Before I could answer, he pinned me to the bed.

There was a desperate, almost manic look in his eyes.

"Savannah, let's have a baby."

I wanted to fight him off, but then I thought of something and stopped resisting.

I let him take off my clothes.

After he was finished and lying beside me, catching his breath, his phone rang.

He picked it up, and I heard Sutton's whimpering, fake voice.

"Jax... my chest hurts so much. I think I'm dying. Can you... can you come see me one last time?"

Jaxson practically bounced out of bed.

He hesitated for a second, looking at me with worry.

"Savannah... I..."

I didn't even look at him.

"A life is on the line. Just go."

He grabbed my hand, looking relieved.

"You're not mad? Then don't take a pill. Wait for me, I'll be right back."

He dashed out before I could say a word.

I opened the drawer and took out the birth control pill I had ready.

I swallowed it right along with the second-to-last Regret Pill.

Only one left.

Jaxson, don't you dare disappoint me now.

The next morning, Jaxson came home with a box of pastries from my favorite bakery, trying to play the doting husband.

The first thing he did was check the pillbox.

When he saw there were still two pills inside, he relaxed.

He didn't notice the faint smile on my lips.

There were two pills, yes.

But one was just a vitamin I had swapped in during the night.

Jaxson sat beside me, his voice full of conviction.

"Babe, I promise. You'll never have to touch another one of those pills for the rest of your life."

I looked into his eyes and nodded.

"Okay."