Chapter 2
Eight PM. Jake came home.
With her. Mia.
She looked fine-just a bandage on her arm.
The news had said it was minor. Most people evacuated safely, few injuries, no fatalities.
Jake’s panic was pure emotion, not logic.
Mia cowered behind him, wouldn’t look at me.
Jake said:
“She’s shaken up. Has nowhere to go. Just for a few days.”
I was packing.
Our dog Buddy sensed I was leaving, kept nuzzling me for comfort.
Mia jumped back.
“I’m allergic to dogs.”
Buddy ran to Jake, tail wagging.
Jake blocked him with his foot. Poor Buddy scrambled backward, confused.
[ake guided trembling Mia to the guest room.
When he came out:
‘Take the dog to your parents’.”
She shows up and suddenly our three-year-old pet doesn’t belong here?
stared him down:
‘No. She’s the one who needs to leave.”
ake’s jaw tightened, that impatient look I’d been seeing too much lately.
If you hadn’t forced her out, she wouldn’t have been working there. This is on you.”
Wait. How did he know where she worked?
His car’s GPS showed regular stops at that building’s garage. I’d assumed it was client meetings.
He’d placed her there. Never cut contact. Lied about everything.
I swallowed the bitterness:
‘Fine. Buddy and I will both go.”
Jake blinked, then relaxed.
‘Good idea. He’d miss you anyway. Once she’s better, I’ll bring you both back.”
just watched him.
Maybe my calm was unsettling. He reached out, almost tried to hug me.
First time he’d initiated contact in months. And it was guilt.
A cry from the bedroom cut him off.
Jake rushed to Mia without a glance back.
Through the cracked door, I saw him kneeling, cradling her bandaged arm.
“Does it hurt? Don’t get it wet.”
“But I need to wash my hair.”
“I’ll help you. Don’t worry.”
I watched his back, eyes burning but tearless.
Nothing left to cry.
We’d grown up together-high school sweethearts to working professionals. I thought we’d make it all the way.
Watched him become everything he’d dreamed of. Still fell for him every single day.
Until now. Heart shattered beyond repair.
Jake, I’ll never come back.
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.