Hard to cross
Chapter 1
I was the last to know that John had become
a dad.
At the hospital, I heard him instructing
someone, “Keep the baby news quiet. I don’t
want Ashley coming back and making a
scene.”
I’d been in love with him for ten years,
confessed my feelings a year ago.
He’d said, “When you finish your studies and
come back, we’ll be together.”
How ironic.
This time, I didn’t throw a fit like I used to,
didn’t question his lies.
Instead, I flew back abroad and accepted a
marriage proposal from a guy who’d been
pursuing me.
From that moment on, John was dead to me.
“John, keeping it under wraps won’t work.
Ashley will find out if she comes back.”
A woman by the window was talking to John
in the hospital room.
He cradled a baby, his eyes full of adoration.
At her words, his expression turned cold.
Г
“Let her come back. If she finds out, I’ll
explain. I just don’t want her making a scene
because she can’t handle it.”
“After all, everyone knows how obsessed she
was with me.”
I froze at the doorway.
Yes, I had been obsessed with him.
If he was near another woman, I’d shoo her
away.
If he so much as spoke to another woman, I’d
question if he still loved me.
“True, everyone knows how she is.”
امحاصبملح
Г
The woman laughed, then her face clouded
over.
“What about when you get married? Will you
keep that a secret too?”
John kissed the baby. “We’ll see.”
Just then, Jessica stepped out of the
bathroom.
John immediately put the baby down and
rushed to Jessica’s side, concerned.
“Jess, careful now.”
“Oh my, Jess, you’re so lucky to have such a
caring fiancé.”
r
“No wonder you’re okay with having a baby
before marriage.”
My heart lurched, almost stopped.
Jessica was my best friend.
Before I left for school, I’d asked her to keep
an eye on John for me.
And now, she was his fiancée.
I never thought such a cliché, soap opera- esque scenario would happen to me.
Suddenly, I didn’t know if I should go in.
And if I did, what right did I have to question
John2
Г
John?
After all, we were never officially together.
A year ago, he’d only promised, “When you
finish your studies and come back, we’ll be
together.”
I pulled out my phone, clicked on John’s
contact.
He hadn’t contacted me in ages. The last text
was a week ago, asking if I’d eaten. I’d replied yes and shared a funny story about seeing a
stray cat.
He never replied.
I texted him: “John, what are you up to?”
<
I textea nim: “Jonn, what are you up to?”
As soon as I sent it, John’s phone pinged in
the room.
He glanced at it, didn’t reply, and closed his
phone.
His friend, noticing, chuckled. “Why not
reply?”
John stroked Jessica’s hand, his voice flat.
“Nothing to reply to.”
“I’ve always hated her. If it weren’t for her
being my dad’s adopted daughter, I wouldn’t
have played along.”
“Jessica is the only one I’ve ever loved.”
