It's been a few days since that weird moment in the mall between Jacob and me. I never got to find out what Jacob was doing in the jewelry store that day since I haven't heard from or seen him since then, and I'm grateful for that. Mainly because I'm not sure how to act around him right now. Before, I always felt angry whenever I saw him, but now I don't know how to feel. I am still hurt by what he did, but I am not as hurt as I was a few months before he came back into my life. My emotions are all over the place and seeing him would only worsen matters. For one reason, specifically. Jacob doesn't know how to keep his hands to himself, and the fact that my stupid body loves it is not a good thing. But my sex dreams have lessened a little lately, which is good. My shower head and hot water have had some time off these past few days at least, so thumbs up for me.I blow out a breath and try to push Jacob out of my mind as I check my reflection using the full-length mirror in my room bef
The following morning, I wake up early and head to the salon to meet Rebecca and Tamara. We're getting our hair done together."Sarah, over here," someone says as soon as I step inside. I look and see Tamara across the room. A hairdresser is already working on her hair."Hey, how are you?" I bend down to her level and place a kiss on her cheek."I'm good, you?""Good, too. Where is Rebecca? She left the house before me, so she should be here." I take the seat beside Tamara."She went to get something from my car.""Oh, alright," I say before asking the hairdresser attending to Tamara's hair to get someone to begin mine. I take one of the complimentary water bottles and have a sip.As I'm drinking, Tamara looks over at me. "How was the party last night? Did you enjoy yourself?" she asks, and I begin to choke. "Take it easy, sorry." She rubs my back as I catch my breath.Her question, "Did you enjoy yourself?" It was so unexpected. I haven't told the girls about the things Jacob has bee
"I think you should slow down with the drinks," Rebecca says, grabbing the tequila shot before it reaches my mouth."No!" I say with a little more force than I mean to. After realizing Jacob is engaged and crying my eyes out, I decided I needed to drown my sorrows with alcohol in the company of people to help me forget Jacob ever existed. So naturally, the girls and I came to the club."Let her drink, Rebecca. She needs it," Tamara says, collecting the shot from Rebecca and handing it back to me. I down it in one go and bite into a lime immediately after. The liquor burns my throat on the way down, but it's nothing compared to the pain in my shattered heart."You know it won't help her forget about him," Rebecca argues."For now, it will," Tamara quips back."Who wants to dance?" I ask, playing with the shot glasses littering the table. "Why are there so many?"Staring, I tilt my head to the side. I'm definitely wasted, because I'm seeing about fifty shots glasses currently.Both Tama
I wake up to feather-light kisses being showered across my neck and shoulders. My back is to Jacob. I squeeze my eyes shut, pretending to still be asleep as his arm comes up from behind and snakes around my waist. Hopefully he doesn't see through it. I can't face him after last night. I don't know what I was thinking asking him to sleep with me. Shame washes over me. How could I sleep with Jacob after everything that's happened and, worse, how could I say those words to him? Jacob doesn't deserve to hear me say that. I didn't even know I still felt that way until last night. It just slipped out. I'd convinced myself that what I felt for Jacob was purely attraction. But I was clearly lying to myself. I don't even want to imagine how big his ego must be now that he knows I still love him. God! I'm such an idiot.I'm pulled from my thoughts once I notice the absence of Jacob's warm lips against my skin. The covers rustle and I think he might be getting up but I still don't move, only ope
I shout Tamara's name for the tenth time tonight to come down, so we can leave for the party. I decided to take Tamara with me as back up. She was also surprised by the way Hannah behaved when she saw me. Neither of us can tell if she's pretending or not."I am so sorry; I had to change my shoes twice." She says, walking down the stairs."It's fine, let's go." We walk to the car outside, and I drive us to Hannah's house.Stepping out of the car, I walk towards her backyard, my heart beating fast against my chest. I don't know why but I've got this eerie feeling in my stomach.We enter the gardens, and the place is packed with people. I look around to try and find Hannah or a face I recognize, but I find none. I'm about to dial her number when I hear her voice call me from behind.I turn around, and my heart immediately twinges. Jacob is standing beside her with an arm wrapped around her waist. My heart tightens in my chest, seeing those hands I love on her. I knew Jacob would be here,
SARAHTamara has disappeared. When we arrived, she went to the bathroom, and I haven't seen her since. I managed to convince Hannah to let me leave her side a minute ago, and now I need to find Tamara so we can leave. I couldn't tell Hannah I wanted to leave, because then she would ask why, and I can't tell her. My heart was aching enough as I walked around with her and heard everyone telling her congratulations. There is no way Hannah doesn't know about Jacob and me. She probably invited me to shove it in my face that she is the woman who the whole world will know owns Jacob's heart.Walking inside the main house, I check the rooms one by one looking for Tamara. She's not picking up her phone, and I'm beginning to get worried. I'm about to turn a room doorknob when the person inside beats me to it."Sarah," Jacob says, stepping out of the room.I roll my eyes at him and turn to walk away, but Jacob halts my steps by grabbing my hand."Mon amour, I am so sorry she invited you tonight.
SARAHThe day after the party, I'm in my office attending to some work when someone barges in. I don't even bother to lift my eyes from the papers in front of me, because my secretary says the name of my unexpected visitor as she tries to block the door."Mrs. Smith! Miss Stephen is busy right now. You can't see her.""Young lady, I want to see Sarah now, and I will." Jenny pushes past her and marches to my desk. I wave to my secretary to leave; she tried her best."To what do I owe this unpleasant visit, Jenny?" Lifting my head up, I rest my chin on my interlocked fingers."Good day to you, too." She takes the seat on the other side of my desk."Wow, you're sitting down? You must have a lot to say today.""Sarah, I need you to come with me somewhere.""Where could you possibly need me to go with you?" I lean back in my seat, crossing my arms and staring at her as she gets comfortable."You will see when we get there.""I am not going anywhere with you, Jenny.""I believe it's in our
"I think it's high time we take a vacation and get away from here for a little while," I say, sitting in one of the chairs on the other side of Rebecca's desk. There was no way I was going to get any work done after Jenny's visit, so I came to Rebecca's office for a distraction.She doesn't even bother looking up from whatever it is that she's typing on her computer. "What exactly are you running away from?""Why would you think I am running away from something?""Anytime you don't want to deal with something, you always suggest we take a trip.""I am not running away from anything.""Sarah." Rebecca looks away from her screen and gives me a knowing look."I swear! I just feel overwhelmed with everything that's been happening since Jacob came back and think I might need some time away from him.""The situation with Jacob must really be weighing you down.""The situation with Jacob," I chuckle. "Nothing is going on between Jacob and me. I just want to be able to go out for lunch and no
"What are you reading over there?" Charles asks. It's been a few hours since we took off. Charles apparently doesn't care that I'm his sister's enemy and has been talking to me for most of the flight. I think it's because he has an interest in me, but I might be wrong."A romance novel," I reply, switching off my phone screen and turning to face him."You're a romance fan?""Yes, I am.""So, you must be waiting for your prince charming to rescue you then?""No, I'm not.""But you're a romance fan?""Yes.""I'm confused," he chuckles.I laugh before speaking. "I love romance novels, but not the typical kind you might be familiar with.""Hmm, let me guess, you're into dark romance," Charles says, smirking."Yes, I am." I smile. "How did you know?""Once you said it's not the typical type of romance, dark romance was the next thing that came to my head.So, tell me your favorite book and why it's your favorite.""I don't have just one favorite. I love too many.""What if you had to choos
I take a sip of my margarita and lie back down on the beach chair by Tamara's pool. Sighing, I remember what she told me a few days ago. I still can't wrap my head around the fact that Jacob will be married soon. Just the thought is hard for me to handle. It's enough to make me want to drink, which is why I had to come over to Tamara's, so I could do it without Dad eyeing me. I've been drinking more lately, and he worries."There's something I need to tell you," Tamara says as she steps out of the pool."I'm listening," I say, putting my drink down and sitting up."Harvey finally found out why Jacob is behaving so strangely toward you.""Really?" I ask, hope fluttering in my heart. Things might start making sense now.Tamara nods and looks at me with pity in her eyes.I wonder why, isn't this good news? "What did he say?""He hates you.""What?" I ask, shocked."Jacob hates you, and Harvey says Jenny is responsible for it.""I don't understand.""After Jacob was discharged from the ho
Catching up with him before he walks back into the ballroom, I move to grab his arm, but he yanks out of my grip."Jacob, please tell me you didn't just say the word 'fiancée'?" I ask, my heart beating hard against my chest.He's about to reply, but someone beats him to it. My already cracked heart shatters into a million pieces once I hear her voice."There you are, my love," Hannah says from behind me. I hear her approaching, but before she can get to us, Jacob walks up to her. I turn around, and what I see breaks my heart even more. Tears fill my eyes as Jacob captures her lips in a kiss. My shattered heart squeezes in my chest and suddenly breathing is difficult. Jacob doesn't close his eyes as he kisses her; instead, he stares at me. I bite my lip to stop it from trembling and try my best to contain my tears, but I can't. My knees weaken, so I lean against the wall to prevent myself from falling.I can't believe he's kissing her. Does Jacob truly not love me anymore? When he said
Throwing the blanket off my body, I sit up and drop my feet over the side of the bed. Glancing at my phone, I see there's a few important messages that I'll need to reply to while at work. At first, it was hard going back into the office after everything that happened, but as the days have passed, I've been grateful for the distraction.It's been months since my child was taken from me. I can't believe how time flies. A part of me is grateful for how quickly it's passed because it makes it less painful that it's been a month since I last saw Jacob. His mother made sure the day we found out about his amnesia was the last time I stepped foot in that hospital.Not even Yennefer could help me.Not being able to be there for him at such a critical point in his life breaks my heart. I bet he still doesn't even know who I am. I'm certain his mother has made sure of that.Tears sting the back of my eyes, and I throw my head back, trying to blink them away. My heart breaks every time I think a
SARAHI bite my nails and pace the room, waiting for news of Jacob's rescue. Harvey came an hour ago and told me they were able to figure out where the gang was holding him, and that they were going to get him back. I have barely eaten or slept since I found out Jacob had been taken. I can't even think straight. The thought of losing Jacob and how much that will destroy me is all I can think about.The Smiths didn't report Jacob missing to the authorities. They feared the gang would have harmed him more in retaliation if they did. Instead, Edward hired a mercenary group to find him. But I also suspect Edward didn't want to get the cops involved, so the gang members wouldn't tell them about the kidnapping he had hired them for. I disagreed with their decision to not to go to the cops, but I honestly don't care as long as they find Jacob. Someone bursts into the room, snapping me out of my thoughts. I look at Tamara, wondering why the hell she came in like that."They found him!" Tamara
I wake up to the sound of someone calling my name. The first thing I see as I open my eyes is a dark brown ceiling. Someone touches my arm, and I turn."Thank God, you woke up. I was worried sick." Tamara gets up from the chair she'd been sitting in and pulls me into her arms."Tamara?" I don't return her embrace, confused about where we are and what happened. "What's going on?" I ask as she pulls away from me."You don't remember?" Tamara's eyes widen.Closing my eyes, I try to force my brain to recall what happened. Tears flow down my cheeks as I remember. It wasn't just a horrible nightmare. It's true. I open my eyes and face Tamara, just as Harvey walks in."Harvey, please tell me Jenny was lying," I plead, begging him to tell me the words I wish to hear."Sarah..." His eyes are filled with sadness."Please say it." More tears stream down my face. Tamara grabs my hand and gives it a small squeeze."I wish I could."I swallow and force myself to ask a question that I'm not sure I w
Later that night, I wake up to the feeling of something wet and soft on my forehead. I don't open my eyes because I know who it is. Jacob is here for his nightly visit. I don't know how he gets in this late, but he's come to see me every single night even though I asked him to stay away. I won't lie; a part of me is happy he didn't listen, because I look forward to this nighttime ritual. I lay as still as possible, pretending to be asleep."How are you doing today, my love?" Jacob whispers. "I'm here to visit like I promised I would. I hope you're doing better."I want to answer, and say yes, I am doing better and tell him there's nothing to worry about, but I don't. His voice tells me how concerned he is, and I wish I could ease his worries, but I can't. He'll stop coming once I acknowledge his visits, and I don't want that. I need this time with him.Tears sting the back of my eyes. Knowing these are the only moments I'll ever have with him makes my heart ache. I truly wish things c
Jacob sleeps soundly close to my lap. It's been a few hours since I woke up. I went back to sleep after our conversation. Exhaustion from all the crying I had done and the injuries I had sustained took hold of me. I gently stroke Jacob's hair while he sleeps. Lifting my hand away from his head for a second, I wipe away the teardrop falling from my eyes. I've been doing some thinking. And what I'm thinking about makes me tear up. I sniffle a little, and the sound causes Jacob to wake up."You're crying," he says, seeing the tears in my eyes."No, I'm not," I lie, wiping the evidence from my face. "I need to talk to you.""What is it, mon amour?"A bullet tears through my heart hearing him call me that. His love. Placing a hand on his face, I try to memorize every detail. This is the last time I'll ever be close to him, so I take my time admiring his handsome face. He is about to place his hand over mine, but I draw away before he can. I adjust a little on the bed and clear my throat be
Once I arrive at the abandoned building, I rush inside. My heart racing harder with every step. I'm praying it's not too late. I can't imagine my life without Sarah. The guilt of causing her death would ruin me. I pray I won't have to face such an existence. I kick open the first door I come across. The man in the room jumps up from the couch as the door falls off its hinges."What the fuck!" He shouts, the joint he'd been smoking tumbling to the ground. The whole place reeks of weed, I could smell it even before I walked in.I don't care to give him a second glance, instead scanning the whole room for Sarah. I don't have to search long. The blood trail coming from the room's right side is enough to tell me where she is.The man who'd been sitting on the couch walks toward me. "Who the fuck are you?" he growls, but I don't answer and push him out of the way.Dropping to the floor, I take Sarah's head in my lap once I get to her. All the anger I felt as I drove here vanishes as I hold