Chapter 2
The day Jake decided to go clean, we had
mind–blowing sex.
I stared at the shredded lingerie on the floor.
I was speechless.
“Jake, is it the end of the world?”
He looked so insatiable.
For a moment, I thought there wouldn’t be a
tomorrow.
Jake lit a cigarette.
His eyelids drooped, his expression hazy.
“Sarah, if I break things off with you…”
“You won’t go all crazy on me, will you?”
His tone, laced with smoke, sounded like a
joke, but it sent a chill down my spine.
Ten years with Jake, I knew him inside and
out.
He liked them sweet, but with a touch of
rebellion.
Like now, I took the half–smoked cigarette
from his hand.
Pushing down the turmoil inside me, I raised
an eyebrow lazily.
<
“Jake, do you think I’m still eighteen?”
If I were still that eighteen–year–old in
Converse sneakers.
If Jake dumped me, I would have stormed into
his headquarters, reckless with my own life.
But now I’m twenty–eight…
I choked up, unable to finish the sentence.
Jake ruffled my hair and stubbed out the
cigarette, almost burning his fingers.
“Sarah, let’s end it here.”
“Stop smoking, damn it. Stop treating your
body like crap.”
“We’re not kids anymore. We can’t keep living
like this.”
In that instant, I froze.
Twenty–eight, and he’s breaking up with me.
The first one to cry loses.
My smeared makeup looked pathetic.
I pretended to be nonchalant, grabbing my
jacket from the floor.
<
Jake’s long arm snaked out, pulling me back
into his embrace.
Dark clouds gathered outside.
Rain was imminent.
Jake’s kiss landed on my bare back as he
expertly adjusted the strap of my dress.
He nibbled my earlobe, just like he used to.
He whispered, “Hear that?”
I didn’t answer, and he didn’t seem to mind.
His words held the absolute control of a king
over his subject.
“It’s going to rain. Stay a little longer, hmm?”
Ten years can smooth over any conflict,
creating a superficial calm.
Jake had probably forgotten my temper.
It wasn’t just an act.
If it’s over, it’s over. Clean break.
I straightened up, pushing away his sculpted
face.
I chuckled softly.
く
“How long can this rain last?”
He had someone else in his heart. How long
could he keep me around?
Jake’s eyebrow twitched.
But he quickly recovered.
His introduction of the girl was simple.
“Sarah, you’re a smart woman.”
“Her name is Lily. She’s not like you. You
could be with me without a title, running
wild.”
“She can’t. She’s too innocent.”
I choked back a sob.
Looking down at the mess around us, I
suddenly didn’t know what to say.
What did he mean, I could be with him
“running wild“?
Fishnets, high heels, slip dresses.
Jake had dressed me up to his liking for
years.
Now that I was used to the glamorous look,
<
ne Tound it tacky?
I wanted to confront him.
But he put a finger to his lips, signaling me to
be quiet.
It was a call from Lily.
“Jake, you said you were coming to pick me
up.”
“I’m alone, and I’m scared…”
