Chapter 2

Mom's funeral was kept simple.

However, a bunch of Andrew's relatives were still hanging around. As I was walking by, I overheard them whispering.

"Did you see the woman's face? All that makeup can't hide how sickening it is."

"I heard she's got a nasty rep. She caused an explosion back in university and hurt a bunch of students. Hey, Mrs. Snyder, wasn't your son saved by her?"

Andrew's mom let out a soft laugh, her voice dripping with skepticism. "Sure, she 'saved' Andrew, but who's to say she didn't cause that explosion on purpose? Maybe she wanted to play the savior card so that she could wrap Andrew around her finger forever?"

"You might be onto something! Jessica Harris is like a walking bad omen. Her friends ended up with broken legs, and she even managed to anger her dad to death. Now, her mom's gone too."

"They were supposed to hold a wedding, but it turned into a funeral instead. Jessica's like a magnet for disaster!"

I bit my lip so hard it turned white. Anger rushed to my head. I could not believe Andrew's family saw me like that.

When he first introduced me to his parents, they had been so warm and friendly. They said my looks did not matter, a good heart was all they cared about.

However, then there was Emma, always playing the sweetheart, bringing gifts, and tagging along to parties with Andrew's mom. I wanted to be part of that too.

However, Andrew's mom just gave me a look that said, "Jessica, you really shouldn't show your face in public."

Emma chimed in with her holier-than-thou attitude, "Don't take it to heart, Jessica. Mrs. Snyder's being blunt, but think about the kids and the VIPs at the party. What if you frighten them?"

"Fine, I won't go."

I pulled my hand away and heard Andrew's mom's voice, tinged with annoyance, behind me.

"Jessica's just too sensitive."

Emma, ever the 'thoughtful' one, said, "Mrs. Snyder, talking about Jessica like that will upset Andrew."

"Not a chance. Andrew would only be mad for your sake."

"Mrs. Snyder…" Emma's voice was sugary sweet as she shot me a challenging grin.

It was as if fate was showing me that she was destined to win.

That, she did.

Even now, Andrew's mom would say, "I've seen Jessica's mom a few times. She's just like Jessica, always sweating the small stuff."

"Jessica took lives, and what goes around comes around. Her mom's death? That's simply payback for you!"

"She had it coming!"

Tears welled up in my eyes as I stormed into the room and, with a single swipe, sent the table crashing to the floor. "Out!"

"Jessica, what on earth are you doing? Flipping tables now? You're turning everything upside down!"

They were all pointing fingers at me, looking at me like I was garbage.

Clutching the knife from the table, I pointed it at those who had bad-mouthed Mom, tears streaming down my face, "Out! All of you, just get out! You have no right to mourn my mom!"

They could talk about anyone, but not my mom. She used to bake the softest, most delicious bread. Her cooking was amazing. She would even buy cat food for stray cats. That was how kind-hearted she was. She deserved a long, happy life.

When I got home, I could not hold back my tears any longer.

However, I happened to see something unexpected.

In the bedroom, Andrew, who should have been far away, was gently lifting the hem of a woman's shirt and tenderly applying cream with his fingertips.

"Does it hurt?"

His voice was softer than I had ever heard.

Emma snuggled into his embrace.

"This pain is nothing compared to yours."

"Andrew, this is all so unfair to you."

"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have to spend every day looking at that horrific face, worried she'd spill the beans."

My head was spinning. It felt like my blood was running cold. Andrew had known all along about Emma's deeds. He had only stayed with me for her sake. That explained everything.

I must have told Andrew a million times, "Emma? She's bad news."

However, Andrew just would not buy it. He would flash that carefree grin and say, "I get it. You took a hard hit from what went down before, but you can't hold it against her. Maybe you're the one who's got it wrong. Or maybe it was all just one big mix-up."

Every question I ever asked turned into daggers right then, stabbing straight through my heart until it was all just a mess.

Emma, cupping Andrew's chin, looked up at him. "You wouldn't fall for her, would you?"

He planted a kiss on her forehead with no second thoughts. "No way. You're the only one for me."

There I was, frozen at the door, my fingers digging into my own skin. "What are you two doing?