- 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.
99
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.
く
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
く
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.
୮
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
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.
Г
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.
