Page 215 of Don't Leave Me

“Love is a dangerous thing, isn’t it?” she looked ahead at the pond again, no irony in her voice.

“Literally,” I followed her gaze.

It was an odd moment for us both to be laughing, but we were. We were finding solace in each other – the fact that we were both doing crazy things for the people we loved. It was a peculiar relief to be able to talk so freely and honestly about something so devastating and confusing. Maybe she would be my friend after all – she knew exactly what I was going through.

A few moments had passed and Jessica finally spoke again.

“I know you love books. There’s a great bookstore a few blocks down 59th– shall we check it out?” Her good mood had returned.

I nodded. “Yes, I’d love that.”

* * *

EMILY.

Adam didn’t question why I asked to tag along to rehearsals with him the next evening. I had kept my cool throughout my night and morning with him – I really didn’t associate any of Jack’s behavior with Adam, like I thought I would. I was able to compartmentalize; Adam had no idea what Jack was really like. They hung out and talked about music and art over beers. They made songs together, they mixed each track meticulously in the studio, they bonded over their love for all things music. But that was all. That seemed to be the only thing they had in common. Adam was nothing like Jack and I had to remember that.

We got off the train in East Village, my heart racing the closer we got to the studio. How was I going to chat alone with Jack without raising suspicion? Maybe Adamshouldbe suspicious – he should ask what’s going on and and I can kindly ask Jack to explain. But Jack would deny it. He wouldn’t talk unless we were alone. I almost wanted to shank him, but I also didn’t want to go to jail with no answers.

I gave a sigh of relief once I realized that Adam and I had made it to the studio first. I had an idea already – thank god for sound proof rooms.

“I have to go to the bathroom. I’ll be back,” I smiled at Adam nonchalantly and closed the studio door firmly behind me.

And then I waited in the long, narrow hall leading to the room, the only way to get to it. I was going to approach Jack quickly before he could even realize I was there. I was going to make surehewas the one put in an unexpected, unprepared position –I’dhave to upper hand.

I only had to wait a minute or so before I heard footsteps approaching, and there he was. Jack didn’t even seem surprised to see me – he had a smug smile on his face and walked a little slower towards me, raising his eyebrows slightly.

“Emily, what a surprise,” he said, unamused, stopping in front of me.

I crossed my arms. “Where is she?” I asked immediately, knowing I was giving my best bitch face – one that I was famous for, in fact. I got a lot of things that I wanted with this look.

Jack smiled wider. “What are you talking about?”

He was being so smug; it was pissing me off already.

“You know what I’m talking about. Hana – where is she?” My voice was raised and shaky.

Jack didn’t flinch. He only raised his eyebrows and shrugged. “I last saw her this morning. She was having a little shopping time with my sister. She was getting a new phone – did she not give you a ring yet?” he asked, all too nonchalantly.

I ignored him. I narrowed my eyes at him, wanting him toknowthatIknew. “Did you force her to go with you last night? Just like every other time?”

Jack’s eyes widened a little, but not out of fear…more like out of anger.

“No. She has always had a say in her decisions, Emily. Shewantedto come with me last night. In fact, she did. A lot,” he smiled again, a perverted, devilish grin.

I rolled my eyes at him immediately and huffed. “I know what you’ve been doing to her the last six weeks, you fucking asshole. You have herbrainwashedor something, don’t you? The way you can hit her and terrorize her and she still refuses to call the police,” I rambled out, pointing my finger at him now, unable to suppress my rage.

Jack stared at me for a moment, narrowing his eyes. “I’ve never done anything to her she didn’t want. Shelikesbeing with me, Emily. Shelikesthe things I do to her. There’s a lot you don’t know about your dear cousin,” he smiled faintly, his eyes boring through me.

I felt my face getting hotter. Maybe I didn’t know my cousin like I knew I did. I just couldn’t believe she would willingly go back to him after all he put her through. I had to hear it from her myself – I had to see her.

“Where is she? If you’re telling the truth, I’d like to hear it from her myself,” I finally said, anger still in my voice.

He looked bored all of a sudden. He quickly took something out of his back pocket – I was relieved to see that it was his phone. He hit a few buttons and put it up to his ear, still watching me passively.

“Hello, sweetheart. How are you doing?” he asked gently, his tone so sweet compared to what he was giving me.

I crossed my arms as I watched him listening to her voice on the other end.

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