Jake emerged from Chloe’s room, a slightly
embarrassed look on his face.
“I… I just checked on Chloe. She wasn’t
feeling well.”
<
I gave a noncommittal hum and turned to go
to my room.
In my past life, I had fought with him
countless times about their overly intimate
behavior.
This time, I didn’t want to waste my time or
energy.
He stopped me. “Sarah.”
“Maybe we should buy some wedding favors
and hand them out to the other wives on
base?”
I looked at him, surprised. I figured this was
his way of making up for not arguing with me.
“No, it’s not necessary. I don’t need all that
<
fuss.
He looked taken aback. He probably couldn’t
imagine me refusing this.
“Sarah, are you upset that Jake was taking
care of me?”
Chloe came out of the room, looking all
innocent and wronged.
She was wearing the vintage dress I’d bought
specifically for our wedding photos.
The one I’d scrimped and saved for six
months to buy in my past life, and hadn’t
even worn once.
Noticing my gaze, Chloe stammered, “I….. |
saw it on your bed and it looked so pretty. I
<
wanted to try it on. I forgot to take it off.”
She looked down at her fiddling fingers, the
picture of a child who’d made a mistake.
Jake instinctively started, “Sarah, don’t…”
I cut him off, my voice calm. “It looks good on
you. Keep it. I haven’t worn it anyway.”
I could smell the faint scent of blood and
sweat on the dress. It brought back memories
of me running home in the middle of the
night, crying.
Just thinking about it made my stomach
churn.
Under their stunned gazes, I returned to my
room and locked the door.
L
- 4.
I pulled out my folder. Inside was my
acceptance letter – University of Miami.
I’d always loved the South, and it had the
Finance program I was so excited about.
In my last life, I’d given up my education for
Jake, content to stay home and take care of
his parents.
This time, I still had a chance. This time, I
would live for myself.
I flipped through the calendar. Ten days. In
ten days, I could leave this place.
Time was tight, but I had to prepare. Every
second counted.
<
A knock startled me. I opened the door
impatiently.
Jake stood there holding a bowl of noodles,
his voice gentle.
“Hungry? I made you some noodles.”
I hesitated.
In my past life, he was either cold and distant
or verbally abusive.
It had been a long time since I’d seen this
tender side of him.
“No, thanks. I ate out.”
“No way.”
<
“You never spend money on yourself.”
His words stung.
I used to scrimp and save, spending most of
my earnings on him, buying him gifts.
Now, with college on the horizon, I had to be
careful with every penny.
I met his gaze, my voice level.
“I remember giving you $50 a few days ago
for wedding stuff.”
“You didn’t buy anything, did you? Give it
back.
His hand froze, then he offered an awkward
explanation.
<
“That money… I bought Chloe some new
sandals.”
I couldn’t help but scoff. Seriously? Again?
“Well, if there’s nothing else, I’m going to
bed.”
“I’ll give you the money tomorrow,” he said, a hint of anger in his voice. “We’re getting
married. Do you really have to be so petty?”
I snorted. “So, I can’t even be upset when you
spend my hard–earned money on someone
else?”
He knew he was wrong, but still muttered,
“Unbelievable.”
I didn’t bother arguing, slamming the door
く
shut.
- 5.
Over the next few days, I sold some of my
less valuable possessions, the trinkets that held so many memories from my past life.
Now, they seemed like nothing more than
cheap junk.
I packed them all up and sold them to a junk
dealer for a pittance.
That afternoon, as I continued packing, Jake appeared, holding out a fifty–dollar bill. His voice was stiff. “Here’s your money.”
I took the money and nodded.
<
“Thanks.
He watched me, his expression unreadable.
His eyes fell on my packed suitcase.
“I’m planning to take Chloe with me to New
York first. You don’t have to pack.”
I continued packing, simply nodding.
He seemed unnerved by my lack of reaction.
“What’s gotten into you lately? You’re like a different person.”
I turned to him impatiently. I didn’t want any
complications.
Even though Jake didn’t love me, if he found
out that Chloe’s name was on the marriage
<
license, he might try to remarry me for her
sake.
I wanted nothing more to do with either of
them.
“Nothing. I’m just packing my things,”
“So I can move back home when you go to
New York.”
He seemed relieved, then added, “I’m not
saying you can’t come to New York.”
“It’s just that Chloe’s never been there, and
she wants to see it. I’ll send for you in a few
months.”
I nodded absently.
In my previous life, he hadn’t sent for me for
eight whole years.
Not until Chloe married a rich army brat from
New York did he finally bring me there.
He watched me, uncomfortable. Usually when
we were alone, I would chatter non–stop.
Now, my silence made him fidgety.
“Didn’t you always want to take wedding
photos? Let’s go to the studio tomorrow.”
That wasn’t going to work. I planned to buy
some college supplies tomorrow.
I was about to make an excuse when Chloe
walked in, looping her arm through Jake’s.
‘Jakey, what studio? I want to take pictures
く
too!”
Jake smiled and patted Chloe’s head. “Sure,
we’ll all go tomorrow.”
“You two go. I have things to do tomorrow.”
Jake frowned. “What’s more important than
our wedding photos?”
“We’ll take the photos first, and then I’ll go
with you to buy whatever you need.”
His tone was firm, leaving no room for
argument.
Chloe chimed in, “Yeah, Sarah, you’re not not
going just because of me, are you?”
I didn’t want to argue, so I agreed.
<
- 6.
Early the next morning, I could hear Jake
trying to coax Chloe out of bed.
The bright red numbers on the calendar
reminded me: four days.
In four days, I would be free from this life.
By the time they finally emerged, I was about
