Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 17662 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 88(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17662 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 88(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
It takes a few moments, but a smile tugs at my lips when my wife makes a face.
"Fine," she grumbles. "I get your point. I don't really know anything because it's like you said, and I don't really know her."
"Exactly."
My wife crosses her arms over her chest. "But there are still two things that I want you to promise me."
"Go on."
"You can't tell her the truth about our marriage. Ever."
"Of course. And the second thing?"
"This is the last time you're to be alone with her," my wife says darkly, "or any other woman."
"Only if you promise the same thing."
"Done."
She says it so quickly that I realize I've fallen for her trap, and this is what she really wants.
Proof that I can be jealous the same way she's admitted to being jealous about me.
And with that, it's now clear to both of us.
I own her.
And she owns me.
My wife is still on my mind when I meet Eva for dinner. All eyes are on us, but I don't give a damn. All I want is to get this over with.
"I've been hearing the craziest rumors, Jacques."
"It's not crazy."
Eva stares at me. "I haven't even told you what I heard."
"If you want me to hear the words, I'll say it. I'm married."
She's about to laugh but stops when she realizes I'm serious.
"To the student?"
"Yes."
"Oh my God, Jacques." She stares at me in dismay. "Did you get her pregnant? Because if you did, then---"
"I married her because I wanted her, and now I have her."
It's both the lie and the truth, and I suddenly realize how fucking complicated my marriage is.
"You want her," Eva echoes.
"Yes."
"Oh, Jacques."
The way Eva says my name turns my blood cold.
"I have no doubt you want her. I dare say you've even convinced yourself you've fallen in love with her. But what about her, Jacques? What about her feelings?"
The pity in Eva's eyes makes me feel murderous and nauseous at the same time.
A part of me wants to tell her she's all wrong.
That she has no reason to feel pity for me because my marriage to Riri isn't real.
But then there's the other part of me...
The part of me that knows I'm just fucking lying to myself.
That from the very start I did have feelings for Riri.
And it's why the pity in Eva's gaze fucking stings.
The moment Eva places a hand over mine, my first instinct is to pull away.
"We've been friends our entire lives, Jacques."
But I don't.
"And you know who I am."
Even when I know someone in this restaurant can easily take photos of Eva holding my hand, I let it stay.
"I don't need your money. I don't need anything from you."
"I know."
"So please believe me when I say this. That girl is bad news, Jacques. I don't know what she's made you think, but I promise you she's lying. Because there's this thing I've never told you. And now I wish I did if only to prevent this."
Eva's grip on my hand tightens.
"You're aware of the male student who plays opposite her? His name is Broderick. Has she ever told you that they once hooked up in their first year?"
A sad smile touches her lips when all I can do is look at her.
"She hasn't, has she? And if she's able to lie about that, then what else do you think is she capable of lying about? I've asked around, Jacques. For you. And that's why I also know they've gotten back together, and they've been secretly dating for months."
Eva flinches when I finally pull my hand out of her hold.
"I know you don't want to hear what I'm saying, but I have to tell you the truth because I'm your friend."
All I want is for Eva to shut up at this point, but I also know walking out on her will make me a coward.
"I know it's possible that she's really fallen for you, but don't you think it's just infatuation?"
All this time I've been trying to convince myself that Eva knows nothing.
But the moment I hear that last word, I realize it's the other way around, and I'm the idiot between us.
"You're this rich and handsome older guy, so of course she'd feel flattered to have your attention."
Not a single word she says is new to me.
"If it's just infatuation, then it's only a matter of time before she realizes you're too old and boring for her."
Because I used to think the very same thing.
"Break it off, Jacques. People might think for a while that your one-day marriage is a midlife crisis, but who cares? You need to cut yourself loose before it's too late, and she has you eating from the palm of her hand."
Tears fill Eva's eyes as she looks at me pleadingly.
"Please, Jacques. I just don't want you hurt."
It fucking kills me to hear Eva's every word.