to lose my patience.
Jake fussed over Chloe, pouring her hot water
and washing her face.
I had been so blind in my past life, foolishly
believing that he would treat me the same
way.
<
Lost in thought, I barely registered Jake
nervously approaching me, a small box in his
hand.
“Mrs. Davis said it’s fashionable to wear
wedding rings now. I bought you one.”
I didn’t take it. There was no ring in my
previous life.
Chloe, upon seeing the ring, immediately
pouted. “Ooh, pretty! I want one!”
I waved my hand dismissively. “Take it.”
Jake’s face darkened. “Don’t be silly, this is
our wedding ring!”
Chloe snatched the ring and slipped it onto
her finger, flashing it at Jake.
<
“Jakey, doesn’t it look good on me?”
Jake gazed at Chloe with pure adoration,
nodding dumbly.
Then he turned to me, guilt evident in his
eyes.
“I’ll… I’ll buy you another one later.
I shrugged.
I’d heard his empty promises countless times.
None had ever been kept.
- 7.
At the photo studio, Chloe went first, even
taking a number of photos with Jake.
When it was our turn, the photographer raised
his camera, then lowered it awkwardly.
“Oh, sorry, I seem to be out of film.‘
I silently cheered, keeping my face neutral.
“Oh, well. Never mind then.”
As we left the studio, Jake pulled a train
ticket from his pocket and handed it to me.
It was a standing–room–only ticket to New
York, leaving in four days.
“I’m not trying to leave you behind,” he said.
“I’ll go get settled, and I’ll be waiting for you.
in New York.”
The trip to New York was three days and
three nights. I didn’t know how he expected
me to manage standing for that long.
Besides, there was only one spot for a spouse.
to accompany him.
Where was I supposed to stay when I got
there?
But asking these questions now wouldn’t get
me any good answers.
Seeing me take the ticket, Jake visibly
relaxed.
“Don’t worry. Even if you don’t live on base,
you’ll still be my only wife.”
“I’ll treat you well from now on. Chloe is just
<
like a sister to me.”
I softened slightly. He had never spoken such
sweet words before.
Suddenly, a car swerved around the corner,
heading straight for us.
Jake pulled Chloe into his arms, dodging out
of the way.
In the chaos, someone pushed me.
I saw the car coming right at me, but my body
froze in terror.
The car swerved at the last moment, clipping
me and sending me sprawling.
Pain shot through me, my vision blurring.
<
The driver jumped out of the car, frantically
asking, “Ma’am, are you alright? Are you
okay?”
A crowd began to gather, murmuring.
My gaze found Jake through the throng of
people.
He was holding Chloe, comforting her,
completely oblivious to me.
Or maybe he noticed and simply didn’t care.
I gave a bitter laugh, the last flicker of
hesitation extinguished.
So much for “treating me well from now on.”
- 8.
<
- 8.
The driver took me to the hospital. After a
series of tests, they determined it was mostly
bruising and a minor internal injury.
Lying in the hospital bed, I ached all over, but
my mind was strangely calm.
Late that night, Jake came in, looking
exhausted.
When he saw I was awake, a flicker of panic
crossed his face.
“Sarah, how are you feeling? Are you okay?”
I looked at him coldly, saying nothing.
<
He wrung his hands, offering a nervous
explanation.
“Chloe… she was a little shaken up, so I
stayed with her… so…”
Under my gaze, he trailed off.
“Sarah, listen, it all happened so fast. Chloe
was closer to me, and I just reacted…”
He paused, searching for the right words. “| didn’t know you’d get hit.”
I interrupted him. “When are you leaving for
New York?”
He answered cautiously. “Tomorrow.”
“I see. I’m tired. You can go.”
<
I closed my eyes, dismissing him.
Jake seemed to want to say something more,
but he eventually left.
- 9.
Mrs. Miller came the next day.
She carried a thermos, her face beaming.
“Sarah, dear, Jake asked me to come take
care of you.”
“Are you feeling any better?”
“Much better, thank you, Mom.
She ladled some soup for me, chattering
away.
“That Jake, always so clumsy. I don’t know if
he can even take care of Chloe properly…”
She stopped mid–sentence, as if realizing
what she’d said.
“Mom,” I said, “Chloe is the one who married
Jake.”
Mrs. Miller froze, taking a moment to process
my words. “What… what are you saying?”
“I put Chloe’s name on the marriage
application.‘
Mrs. Miller’s initial shock quickly turned to
elation.
“Sarah, you’re such a good girl! I knew you
were the most sensible one!”
She clasped my hand excitedly. “Thank you,
Sarah! Thank you for letting them be
together!”
I gave a faint smile, saying nothing.
Letting them be together? I was letting myself
be free.
Mrs. Miller had always preferred Chloe. Even
after I spent years dutifully caring for her in
my past life, she still left her entire
inheritance to Chloe.
“Mom, don’t tell Jake or Chloe about this
yet.”
Mrs. Miller grinned. “Of course, dear! I
understand!”
“So… what are your plans now?”
“I’m leaving in a few days,” I said, keeping
my destination vague.
Mrs. Miller wanted to ask more, her mind.
clearly preoccupied with their wedding.
I closed my eyes, pretending to sleep.
I left the hospital without telling anyone.
Before leaving, I wrote a letter to Jake:
“Jake, by the time you read this, I’ll be on a
train headed south.”
“I know you’ve always loved Chloe. I’m giving
you my blessing.”
train headed south.”
“I know you’ve always loved Chloe. I’m giving
you my blessing.”
“Our time together has run its course. I wish you both happiness.”
I put the letter, the train ticket to New York,
and the marriage certificate in an envelope
and mailed it to his address in New York.
Then, I grabbed my suitcase and headed for
the train station.
The copyright of this content belongs to “realnovel“.
Chapter 2
- 10.
<
The Miami air was humid and warm, a stark
contrast to the crisp air I was used to. I stood
before the University of Miami, still slightly in
disbelief.
Walking across campus, I felt a sense of
rebirth.
During the day, I sat in class, absorbing
knowledge like a sponge.
