Page 175 of Don't Leave Me

Of course that was his #1 priority.

We walked into a couple of guest rooms, one small one with two single beds. Another small room with a twin bed. Finally at the last room, the main bedroom, boasted a high ceiling with a queen-sized bed and a gorgeous view of the lake from the window.

“What do you think, my gorgeous bride? Fancy staying here with me a few days?” Jack asked gently, sitting down on the bed and observing me.

“Yes, it’s perfect,” I smiled at him shyly, shrugging my big coat off and tossing it on a small chair in the corner.

I still felt so guilty at the way my heart dropped just from looking at his skillful, pouty mouth.

“Come here,” he ordered with his husky voice, always ready to go.

I slowly walked to him and got on my knees in front of him…his perfect wife always ready to serve.

47

Chapter 47

Billie.

Emily took the news of her cousin’s deceit and lies better than I did.

“She was going through a lot. She was probably desperate for your approval and made that shit up without thinking. She’s clearly not in any danger,” she answered after a very long pause after my long-winded explanation.

I sighed heavily. Hana was her hero, her best friend since birth, her indecisive “sister” that she related to all too well. It didn’t matter what I said to her or what Hana did to me and Michael – she would always be on Hana’s side. But at least she got to hear my side.

“Well, maybe. I don’t know. I don’t know anymore,” I sighed. “Are they back in the city?” I interrogated, still invested in Hana for some reason.

“No. They went up to Lake George for a few days for their honeymoon,” she responded.

I nodded, a lump still in my throat. “I have to let Michael know everything. He’s already devastated. I just can’t believe this is all happening,” I thought aloud, more to myself than to Emily.

“Maybe don’t,” Emily said quietly. “If he’s already devastated, ya know? He doesn’t need more heartbreak yet,” she went on somberly, the first hint of sadness I’d heard yet.

She was right. He didn’t need to know this now. He already believed she had left him – and maybe that was enough. Maybe he would move on peacefully this way.

“Okay. I won’t tell him,” I replied in almost a whisper.

But he would find out anyway.

The next morning around 11 AM, Michael texted me. I was at work, trying to keep busy, but felt the vibration in my pocket and read the text immediately: “She married him.”

My heart dropped immediately. How was I so stupid to believe he wouldn’t find out? I knew that Hana was friends with people in their office and she had just announced it to everyone she knew – everyone that followed her on social media. I’m sure he was getting looks of sympathy all morning.

“I know. I’m so sorry,” I responded.

I didn’t hear back from him. A few hours later, worried, I dialed him.

“Hi, Billie,” Michael answered – his voice was full of pain.

“Hi. Are you okay?” I asked worriedly, pacing the gallery.

“I came home and now I’m drunk. I don’t understand any of this,” he responded, his words slightly slurred.

I felt his pain. “I don’t either,” I sighed, exhausted.

“PerhapsIshould kidnap her now. How ironic would that be?” he laughed to himself.

Now I as starting to worry – not only for him, but because I thought that maybe if he did somehow get her alone, she would confess to him that this was all some sort of misunderstanding, that she really was forced by Jack to do all of this. Would Hana ever be able to be alone with Michael again? Would Jack let her out of his sight? If they were a normal, happy couple, surely Hana would be able to do things on her own. I suddenly had a plan – once Hana was back in the city, I could try to figure out her schedule, see where she’d be, and maybe even get Emily’s help unknowingly. Maybe when Emily sees her next I could ask her to text me and I can send Michael over there. She wouldn’t be able to lie to him – would she?

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