6
I grabbed a vase from the entryway and
smashed it on the floor.
With a loud “bang,” the amorous sounds from
the room ceased.
The more I loved him before, the more I hated
him now.
I took a deep breath and walked into the
room.
Taylor was sitting on Jake’s lap, disheveled,
her face flushed.
Even though I’d guessed what they were
doing, seeing it firsthand made me nauseous.
My stomach churned, making it hard to
breathe.
“Jake, you’re changing clothes on the bed?” I
said coldly, my voice filled with suppressed
anger and disappointment. “You’re
disgusting.”
Taylor hastily pulled the covers around
<
herself, feigning fear, but her eyes gleamed
with triumph.
I scoffed. “Taylor, what act are you putting
on? Didn’t you deliberately want me to see
this?”
I gestured towards the ajar door; it wasn’t
locked. This was all orchestrated for me to
“happen” upon them.
“Sarah, you’re just Jake’s childhood friend.
Does he need to report his private affairs to
you?” Taylor raised her chin, full of defiance.
“I think you’re the nosy one.”
I ignored her and turned to Jake.
He leaned lazily against the headboard,
showing no panic at being caught.
Instead, he smirked, glancing at me casually.
“What are you doing? Catching me in the
act?”
His tone was light, as if this was
inconsequential. Even a little mocking.
く
“You’re so eager to get into bed with another
woman?” I couldn’t help but ask.
Jake patted Taylor, softly saying, “Honey, go
to the living room and wait for me.” Taylor
reluctantly got up, clutching the blanket and left the room.
The door closed, and Jake suddenly pulled
me into his arms.
I struggled, but he was too strong.
“What are you doing?!” I growled.
He leaned close, his breath warm against my ear. “Angry? We didn’t really do anything.”
I glared at him. It was all right there, did he
expect me to play blind?
Did Taylor’s clothes vanish into thin air?
I slapped him hard. “Jake, you’re shameless!”
My voice trembled, but each word was clear.
He didn’t care. He held the back of my head
and kissed me.
Before, when we fought, this happened.
く
Kisses resolved our conflicts.
Jake knew how to please me in bed.
But this time, I closed my eyes; all I saw was
him shirtless, Taylor on him, their lips still bearing the traces of their kiss.
I pushed him away, my voice cold as ice.
“Break up, Jake.”
“I feel disgusted.”
He paused, then laughed, as if I’d told a joke.
“Think it through, Sarah. Your mother is in the
ICU, with your income, how long can you
last?”
I felt like I was meeting him for the first time.
I looked at him in disbelief. “You want me to
beg you? You’re threatening me?”
He shrugged, his tone flippant. “Not really.
But I think the breakup should come from
me.”
“Besides, after so many years, do you really
want to end this?”
<
Why did he think I’d still love him even if he
cheated?
I scoffed, my tone firm. “You think you can
control me? Jake, when I say it’s over, it’s
over.”
“Wait,” he suddenly stopped me, his gaze falling on my designer dress, necklace, and
bag. “This dress, necklace, and bag, they’re
mine. Leave them.”
I clutched my bag, my knuckles white.
All the hurt, anger, and resentment exploded.
Maybe it was the alcohol, I turned and threw
the bag at his head.
We fought.
He’d forgotten I was the runner–up in our
college’s martial arts competition.
Not the champion, but enough to handle him.
I knew this fight tore apart the last shreds of
dignity between us.
Panting. I looked at him. “Want me to return
<
Panting, I looked at him. “Want me to return
them? You wish. Eight years of my youth isn’t
worth these things?”
Then, I grabbed my bag and left, never looking back.
