1822 Words


    My hands shake as I dial Chloe’s number. The highway stretches endlessly in both directions, and I’ve never felt so alone in my entire life. “Scarlett?” Her voice immediately bes alert. “Habibti, what’s wrong?” “He left me.” I whisper. “Jasper left me on the highway.” “He what? Where are you?” I look around at the empty darkness, trying to ?ndndmarks. “I don’t know. Somewhere between the city and the rural regions.” “Send me your location. I’ming.” “Chloe, it’s almost midnight—” “I don’t care. You’re eight months pregnant and alone. Send it now.” Twenty minutes feel like hours. I lean against the guardrail watching cars pass by relieving memories of the past four years of my life. I met Jasper in my freshman year of college. He came out of the academic office, looking troubled, and frustrated. I couldn’t stop staring, wondering why I never saw him before. When he dropped the paper in his hand, I didn’t think. I picked it up and went up to him, asking if he was okay while holding out the paper to him. Love at first sight—that’s what I thought it was. Thinking about it now, what attracted me to him was his gentleness, the way he carried himself like a man who would protect the woman he loves with his life. I was right about that part. He does protect the woman he loves. Only…I’m not that woman. Headlights blind me as Chloe’s car pulls over. She jumps out in pajamas under a long coat; her hair covered with a silk scarf she probably grabbed in a hurry. “Oh God, Scarlett. Are you okay?” She wraps me in her arms, and Ipletely fall apart. “I can’t do this anymore,” I sob. “I can’t stay with him anymore.” “Come on, we’ll talk in the car.” She guides me to her car, cranking up the heat. The warmth feels foreign after standing in the cold for so long. When I finally stop crying, she says, “Tell me everything.” If it was before, I would’ve just shaken my head, refusing to share my marital problems. But after what happened tonight, something broke inside, eliminating all my inhibitions. I don’t know what I’ll do, what I should do. But one thing is for sure. I can’t continue going on this way anymore. I close my eyes, starting with the meteor shower, of Virginia’s perfect timing. About how Jasper didn’t even hesitate to choose her over me, leaving me alone on the highway. “And then she texted me.” I show her the message. “To thank me for sending my husband to her.” Chloe’s knuckles turn white on the steering wheel. “That maniptive little snake.” “Everyone loves her, Chloe. My parents, his family. They all think she’s this sweet, innocent girl who needs protection. The few times I tried to point out otherwise, everyone called me selfish and narrow-minded.” My voice cracks. “Maybe they’re right. Maybe I really am just—” “Stop.” Chloe’s voice cuts through my doubt. “Don’t you dare let them gaslight you into thinking you’re crazy. I’ve watched Virginia for three years. I’ve seen how she times her little emergencies. How she touches Jasper’s arm when she talks to him. This isn’t all in your head.” “But what if I’m wrong? What if she really was sick tonight?” “Scarlett.” She pulls over and looks at me. “Who is Jasper’s wife? You or her?” “Me, of course.” “And yet, Virginia is the one always running to your husband for the smallest things.” Her words hit hard because they’re true. Virgina kicks up a fuss over the smallest cut on her finger, and Jasper runs to her side Yet, I run a household, manage the ?nances, organize charity dinners, all while growing a baby, without hearing so much as a “don’t overwork yourself” from him. “I loved him,” I whisper. “I know, habibiti. But love shouldn’t make you feel worthless.” We drive toward my house in silence. The streets are empty except for a fewte-night drivers. Normal people are home with their families, being loved and cared for. “Maybe I should call him,” I say as we turn onto my street. “If I apologize—” “Look at your house first.” I follow her gaze and feel my heart drop. Every light is on. Jasper’s car sits in the driveway next to Virginia’s white sedan And visible through the living room window are two silhouettes, sitting way too close to be proper. “She’s in my house,” I breathe. “She’s in your house,” Chloe confirms grimly. My hands shake as I fumble for the key, so badly I can’t get it in the lock. Chloe takes it from me and opens the door. The scene inside is worse than I imagined. Virginia is curled up on my couch wearing my silk pajamas—the ivory ones Jasper brought me from hisst business trip. Her head rests on his shoulder while his arm… He has his arm wrapped around her waist, the two looking every bit like a couple that belongs together. Peaceful. Content. Made for each other. Pain grips me with stabbing thorny hands, exploding through my entire being. The tearse like a flood, making it hard to breathe. Jasper looks up when we walk in, and for a split second, he has the decency to look ashamed. “Scarlett. You’re home.” I don’t respond. I can’t speak with the lump lodged in my throat. I just stare at them, hand on my chest, rooted to the spot. Until he moves, reaching out for me. I take back a step, then another, and another, all while shaking my head. I don’t want his hands anywhere on me. “Scarlett…” “I see you took excellent care of her panic attack.” “She was really shaken up. I couldn’t leave her alone in that state.” “So you brought her to my house?” Virginia stands up then, moving to his side like the perfect picture of innocence. The irony that she looks more like his wife than me isn’t lost on me. “Oh, Scarlett. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. I was just so scared after the attack, and when I threw up on my dress, Jasper offered—” “My clothes.” She nces down as if just noticing. “I can change if you want. I just didn’t want to go home alone.” “Then call your parents. Or a friend. Surely Jasper isn’t your only friend?” “Scarlett.” Jasper’s voice carries a warning. “Virginia doesn’t have anyone else. You know her situation.” “Actually, I don’t. So why don’t you enlighten me.” I sneer, wiping off my tears. This woman was thest person I wanted to see me cry. But thanks to my husband, I lost even that little bit of dignity. So what else do I have to lose now? “Virginia, is Jasper the only friend in your life? You don’t even have a female friend?” “Don’t create a scene. Virginia doesn’t have anyone. I’m her only childhood friend.” There it is. The excuse he’s been using for thest three years. Poor Virginia, all alone in the world. Poor Virginia, needs protection. Poor Virginia, who somehow always seems to need my husband exactly when we have ns. “Chloe, am I missing out on something? Since when did a childhood friend be more important than a wife? Important enough to abandon her while pregnant on a highway, in the middle of the night, no less?” Jasper rubs his face—a sign I used to read as exhaustion, that would prompt me to drop whatever conversation we’re having to allow him to rest. But not tonight. Not when he abandoned me in the middle of nowhere. Not when the reason for his exhaustion isn’t even me. “Scarlett, drop it. You got home safe, didn’t you? Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.” “So you can’t own up to what you did?” “There’s nothing to own up to! I’m just not in the mood to deal with a selfish woman!” The wordssh me like a whip. Chloe sucks in a sharp breath behind me, and I feel her hand on my back, offering support, afraid I would crumble. Maybe my heart has gone numb from all the pain. I don’t crumble. Instead, I slowly repeat, “a selfish woman,” chuckling under my breathe. “Aren’t you? I told you Virginia needed me. It was just a meteor shower. I can take you another day. But instead of being supportive, you chose to be dramatic.” Something cold settles in my chest. “Your wife cries herself to sleep wondering why her husband treats her like a stranger. She wakes up every morning hoping to warm your heart even just a little so you can take notice of her. I’ve never gone against your wishes, Jasper. But today was my birthday. You promised to take me to see the meteor shower. In a split second, however, you left me for another woman, and that makes me selfish?” “Don’t be ridiculous.” “Stop calling me ridiculous!” The words explode out of me. “Stop dismissing my feelings as the tantrums of some petnt child! I’m your wife! I deserve your attention, your care, especially while carrying your child! But every day, I take a backseat to another woman. Why? Am I not even allowed to ask?” Virginia shifts, and I catch a glimpse of cold satisfaction in her eyes before she hides it behind her innocent mask. The urge to smack her perfectly made-up face is almost overwhelming. Almost. But what can I do to the woman when the one responsible for my current plight is my own husband? “Maybe I should go,” she says softly. “I don’t want to cause problems.” “You’re not causing problems,” Jasper sighs. “Scarlett’s just hormonal from the pregnancy.” And that’s what breaks me,pletely. My feelings mean nothing to him. He’s exining away my pain like it’s a medical condition instead of a normal response to being treated like garbage. But of course. I never meant anything to him, so why would he care? Why would he feel my pain? Suddenly exhausted, I turn toward the stairs. “Chloe, thank you for picking me up.” “Always. Call me if you need anything.” She says, throwing a disgusted nce at the two behind me before walking out the door. I’m halfway up the stairs when Virginia’s sweet voice stops me. “Oh, Scarlett? Your parents called while you were out. They want to see you first thing in the morning, said it was urgent.” Something in her tone makes my blood run cold. There’s satisfaction there, anticipation hidden under fake concern. She knows something I don’t. And whatever it is, it’s going to destroy what’s left of my already shattered life.<fn9c5a> This update is avable on Find★Novel</fn9c5a>