Chapter 2
“Sorry,” I said, awkwardly. “I didn’t mean it. But, I don’t know, I felt like I’ve known you forever…an the kiss felt like a muscle memory.”
I paused, looking at Scott with a forced smile, trying to mask how unsettled I felt. It was crazy right? Pretending that I didn’t know the truth, that I hadn’t seen it all coming.
Before Scott could answer, Amber, of course, spoke up, cutting through the tension. “Sis,” she said, raising an eyebrow, “you’re being indifferent. Are you trying to steal my fiancé?” Everyone laughed, even my parents, who didn’t seem to notice how much that stung. I could fee my heart drop into my stomach as Amber’s words hit me, but then, of course, she added with a sarcastic grin, “Just kidding, anyway. Let’s not let this happen again, sister, or we might have to fight.”
My parents chimed in, too, their voices laced with laughter. “Stop being so flirty, Jasmine,” Dac said, shaking his head, while Mom just shot me a smile that barely masked her disapproval. No one even bothered to defend me–not even Scott.
“You’re embarrassing me,” Thomas even whispered to me. “What was that? I’m your husband.” “Really? Are you?” I stared at him. “Is that the truth?”
“What are you saying, Jasmine?” He asked, but I ignored him. I was done with all the lies. The rest of the day went by in a blur, all smiles and false excitement, with Amber fussing over how I looked in the gown. I played along, letting them pretend everything was fine, but the truth was, I couldn’t focus on anything but the gnawing feeling that had been building inside me. They were all so happy, so carefree, and I–well, I was about to lose everything.
When I finally excused myself to head back to my room, I did it with the excuse of needing to check for my things.
But, deep down, I knew. I knew I had to go. I wasn’t just going to stay here and pretend anymore. But when I got to my room and started to look around, everything was gone. The boxes I had packed–everything–was gone, like they knew I was going to come looking for it.
Still, I searched. I had to know.
And then, I found it.
It was hidden inside a shelf. A book, wedged between other things, and there it was–a photo of Scott and me. We were kissing, all tangled up with each other. It wasn’t just a photo. It was a bookmark, carefully tucked inside the pages, like some twisted keepsake. This is proof. I need this… to ruin their wedding.
The next day, I went to the doctor to abort the baby. There was no way I’d let this baby be born in a world full of lies.
Afterward, I stepped out of the clinic, and then remembered my best friend Alice, so I called her.
“Jasmine?” The voice on the other end was surprised, but it was the same voice I hadn’t heard in years. “You remember me now? Oh, god. They didn’t want you near me so I had no way to tell the truth to you.”
“Alice,” I said, my voice soft. “Please don’t tell anyone that I remember now. But can you help
Chapter 2
me? I need to leave. I want to take that project you were talking about before. I’m ready now.”
There was a pause, but Alice didn’t hesitate. “Of course. You’ll leave in three days.”
