Chapter 2

2

When I got home, Jane's bedroom door swung open. She and Dax walked out together, looking far too comfortable. Jane's face was flushed, and Dax's shirt was half-unbuttoned, barely hiding the truth.

Even though I knew what they were, the sight still stung. I looked away and headed toward my own room. But when I got there, I saw all my belongings piled in a heap on the floor.

Jane's voice came from behind me, cold and indifferent. "I moved your stuff. Dax isn't comfortable in the guest room, and your room is bigger. He's going to stay there for a while."

I didn't say a word, which made Dax step forward with a fake smile. "Jane, it's fine," he said, pretending to be humble. "I don't want to make Franklin unhappy over something so small."

Jane's face hardened as she looked at me. "Frank, you don't even have a job anymore. Giving up your room is the least you can do!"

"Don't forget that Dax saved my life," she added. "He stays wherever I say he stays." I looked at her and felt a wave of dark amusement.

She acted like I owed Dax everything. I was supposed to give him my job, my room, and my dignity. Maybe I should just give her to him too and be done with it.

"Fine," I said, my voice eerily calm. "He can have the room." It didn't matter anyway. The house belonged to the plant, and since I'd sold my job, we'd be evicted soon.

I packed the rest of my things and moved into the small study. Dax looked smug as he dragged his bags into my old bedroom. The next morning, they were gone before I even woke up.

A city official came by to update the residency records later that day. Since Jane and Dax weren't there, I told the official to come back tomorrow morning. Then, I went to find my oldest friend, Joe.

I told Joe about my plan to get into the industrial scrap business. He didn't hesitate for a second and decided to join me. That evening, as I approached the house, the smell of roasted lamb filled the air.

Since Jane returned, she hadn't lifted a finger to help. I was the one who usually cooked or paid for her expensive takeout. Seeing her in the kitchen was a shock.

I pushed the door open and stopped dead. Jane was holding a piece of meat in her teeth, and Dax was biting the other end. They were inches away from a kiss, lost in their own world.

Dax pulled away quickly when he saw me. "Frank, don't get the wrong idea," he stammered. "Jane couldn't bite through the meat, so I was just helping her."

Jane just glared at me for ruining the moment. "Don't just stand there," she snapped. "Sit down and eat."

I didn't argue; I sat down and started eating as much as I could. Seeing me clear the plate made Jane slam her fork down. "Are you a starving animal? We haven't even finished, and you're eating everything!"

For five years, I sent her every penny of my salary. I sent her blankets, food, and clothes while I lived on scraps. Now I knew she had been spending my hard-earned money on Dax and his family.

The anger boiled in my chest, and I used it to fuel my appetite. Dax caught Jane's eye and gave her a subtle nod. I knew they were about to drop a bombshell.