I had seen him love me, and I knew that he was
now trying to find some peace.
Jake, liars always pay for their lies.
Changing the phone number on my bank
account would take time.
I put my fork down and blocked Jake and then started liking all of Brenda’s social media posts.
I even left a comment on one she had posted
two hours ago.
“You two are perfect together.”
My fingers lingered on the screen. The ripples.
on my heart had faded away, leaving only
peace.
As I ate a little bit more, the door opened suddenly.
I stood up and a very good–looking man came in.
He was looking at me when his eyes went wide.
Before I could react, I was in a warm embrace. “Sarah, I’ve been waiting for you.‘
I was trying to place the voice when he pulled
away.
I looked up at him, the rumored rich kid. Tall
and broad, a white shirt that showed off
muscles.
<
“Before you transferred, I always came to see
you.” He knew I wouldn’t remember him.
In high school, I’d been a Good Samaritan.
He was the one being bullied.
After that, he kept trying to talk to me. But my
mom was in and out of the hospital, and I soon
dropped out.
I never paid him any attention. I didn’t even
remember his name.
Later on, someone said he was going to an
expensive school, or that he was sent overseas.
It was just a missed connection. I hoped he was
doing okay.
“Life is like that. I was recognized and got back
in line.” He chuckled.
So, he really was rich.
“Thanks for coming. We will have time after the
wedding, I’ll make you fall in love with me.”
I nodded and walked around the corner to say
to the system:
“You human trafficker! You said you weren’t
doing anything shady.”
The system had no idea. “Did he have a system
<
too…?”
I had never heard the system be unsure, and I
sighed.
He was smiling at me, looking like he knew
something.
This marriage was more interesting than I
thought.
My wedding was next month.
He wanted me to settle in for now.
Even if I was engaged, I said no to his offers to
stay at the hotel or the place he had for me.
I booked a place online, and settled in.
I was able to relax, but in another city, Jake was
still trying to find me.
Everyone in the lounge was looking at their
phones and making fun of him.
“You left your sweetie, she might get hitched to
someone else!”
Brenda threw a glass at him. “It’s my party,
shut up.”
The guy who had talked just laughed.
After a while, Jake leaned back on the couch
and said, “Like that’s ever going to happen.”
<
Someone else piped up. “Check out the
trending search, stud.”
Someone threw him a phone.
He drank a little more before pulling out his
own.
They didn’t really mean anything by it.
Jake’s family was good and Sarah was just
some poor orphan.
They couldn’t find anyone better.
Jake was the only one who was doing well.
Sarah didn’t like his friends, she was too
boring.
That was fine by Jake. He didn’t want her
mixing with them, that was why he liked Brenda.
But seeing the headline, he felt a pang in his
heart.
“Have fun,” Jake said as he got up and left.
Brenda ran after him. “Aren’t you going to
stay?”
He was cold to her. “Know your place.”
Jake went home first. Sarah always waited for
him.
He always loved holding her.
<
She was the one who pursued him, but now he
loved her more.
But the place was empty, and her few things
were gone. The albums, the books, everything
was gone.
There were only things for one person. She was
gone.
He frantically called. Before, she would answer
with excitement and anticipation.
Now, no one was answering.
