“Yeah.”
I closed my eyes, voice flat as concrete.
Jake’s hand jerked–he was shocked by how cold I sounded.
“Jake, do you love me?”
No hesitation whatsoever.
“Of course I do.”
Right on cue, his phone started buzzing.
Bethany’s crying came through crystal clear:
“Jake, I had that nightmare again where you left me. I’m so scared. Please don’t get married. Please don’t leave me.”
Jake’s voice got all panicked and urgent:
“Beth, hey, don’t cry. That’ll never happen. I’m coming over right now.”
After hanging up, he glanced at my back.
“Mia, quit being dramatic. I said I’d marry you and I meant it. Just take care of yourself and the baby.”
Maybe realizing he’d gone too far this time, Jake was suddenly playing concerned boyfriend.
With that, he rushed out.
In his eyes, I was still just the girl who could never measure up to her.
I got up and stared at all our old couple photos.
Ever since Bethany came back, we hadn’t taken a single picture together.
At 3 AM, Bethany posted on Instagram-
Jake driving all over Seattle at midnight hunting down her favorite boba.
A shot of him cooking her breakfast at dawn.
Things I’d never experienced.
Jake always told me to “be more understanding.”
And I never asked for anything.
Turns out he didn’t need understanding girls–he just didn’t want ME making demands,
I ripped every single photo of us to shreds. So many pieces they left tiny cuts all over my hands.
Just like all those little wounds Jake inflicted, thinking they didn’t matter.
Next morning, I ripped down every wedding decoration in the house.
Just then, the front door clicked open.
15.30
He Wanted a Hiking Trip? Honey, His Funeral Was My Comeback Tour!
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Chapter 2
And Bethany waltzed in like she owned the place.
“Mia, look at yourself–you really think you can compete with me?”
She wasn’t beating around the bush.
I wasn’t shocked to see Bethany here.
“Yeah, what?” My voice was flat.
“Sweetie, if you don’t want me here, I’ll go. I just wanted to help out. Jake said you haven’t been feeling good.”
Suddenly Bethany switched to this syrupy–sweet act.
Which meant Jake was about to show up.
Her razor–sharp nails dug into my baby bump.
I instinctively protected my stomach and shoved her hand away.
Bethany let out this theatrical scream and deliberately slammed her head into the coffee table.
Blood trickled down her cheek in a perfect little stream.
“BETHANY!”
Jake burst in carrying suitcases, dropping everything to rush to his precious princess.
“I’m okay, Jake. Mia’s probably just hormonal, you know? Don’t be mad at her–I shouldn’t have just showed up.”
Tears mixed with blood as she grabbed his sleeve like some tragic heroine.
“Mia, what the FUCK is wrong with you?! Over and over you target Beth. Can’t you just leave her the hell alone?”
Jake pointed at me like I’d committed first–degree murder.
“Jake, don’t. She’s probably just… you know, with the baby and everything. I’m fine, really. I just want her to be happy.”
Bethany tugged on his sleeve with this perfect wounded–angel expression.
“Please, stop with the constant doubts. If I really did hook up with Beth, do you honestly think you could compete with her? Look at yourself–Jesus, fat as hell.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.