Chapter 19
1009 Words
“Don’t you want to go out and do something fun?” Xavier caressed her cheek.
Jade had lost interest in the entire world.
“No.” She shook her head and wrapped herself in the duvet.
Xavier pulled it away.
“C’mon, you haven’t stepped out in weeks,” he said, lifting her into his arms.
“I’m fine, really.”
“Why don’t you dress up and go to the mall?” He placed her on the floor and pulled out a golden card. “Buy whatever you want. Raquel won’t go with you. You can take Maria if you want…”
“Fine.” Jade collected the card and walked to her closet.
She didn’t want any drama by refusing him, so she might as well give in to his demands and avoid trouble.
If this was how he wanted her to live, so be it.
She was still very much traumatized, even a month after losing her child.
Although Dr. Vince told her it was a miscarriage, she couldn’t stop blaming Xavier. Even if the child had survived, she believed Xavier would have killed it anyway.
So in her mind, he was still responsible.
Jade began going to the mall more often after he gave her another golden card. This time, she tried her best to avoid people.
From buying her favorite ice cream and wafers, to watching children in the arcade, to sitting in the sun eating donuts—she kept to herself.
“Jade?”
A familiar voice called just as she was about to head home.
She looked up.
Aaron stood a short distance away.
“Aaron?” She rose quickly, removing her sunglasses.
He was a tall, slim man who clearly worked out. He wore black shorts that showed his toned legs and a black shirt that looked like it might rip at any moment. A duffel bag hung from one hand, and a cappuccino from the other.
He quickly pulled her into a hug, which she returned just as warmly.
“Oh my!” He cupped her face, but she stepped back slightly.
“You have to go,” she said warningly.
“But I haven’t seen you in a while! I went to South Africa looking for you, but Lily told me you were fine. What happened? What are you doing in New York?” He held her hands and guided her back to the bench.
“It’s complicated, Aaron,” she smiled faintly.
“Tell me. It’s okay, babes.” He hugged her again. “I’m just glad to see you. I’m here for a photoshoot.”
Jade melted into the hug. She had missed him too—but more than that, she missed his kind, steady presence.
It wasn’t intense. Just comforting. Familiar.
“I’m married,” she said, tears forming as she looked at him.
He took her hand and looked at the ring on her finger.
“Oh.” His face fell. “Um… congrats?” He gave a weak laugh.
Jade rolled her eyes.
“Drama queen.”
“You’re the one crying.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m okay. Hope he’s a nice guy though? And he treats you well? Or did Hudson finally auction you off?” he joked.
Jade playfully hit his chest.
“Stop making those silly jokes!”
“You know your father,” he said, rolling his eyes.
Yes. Her father had auctioned her off—to a monster.
Looking at Aaron, she almost wished she could trade everything just to be with him instead.
Aaron gently caressed her cheek. “I’ve missed you so much. It’s taking a lot of self-control not to kiss you right now.”
Tears streamed down her face.
“What’s wrong?” He quickly wiped them away.
“I was pregnant…” she began, then hesitated. Still, she continued. “We were pregnant. I lost the baby.”
Aaron froze. “Oh Lord.” He pulled her into his arms. “I’m so sorry.”
“No, I should apologize. I didn’t take better care of myself.”
“Don’t say that. I should’ve been there,” Aaron said softly, cupping her face. “You’d make a great mother.”
He leaned in slowly.
Jade didn’t move away. She wanted it.
Aaron kissed her, and she kissed him back.
But when his hands slid into her hair, she snapped back to reality.
She immediately pulled away and stood up, grabbing her bag.
“I have to go,” she said quickly, panic rising.
“When do I get to see you again?” he stood too.
“I-I don’t k-know,” she stammered, already walking away while scanning her surroundings.
What have you done, Jade?
How did you let yourself get carried away?
Thank heavens Raquel doesn’t follow her anymore, because Xavier would kill her if he found out.
What is wrong with you?
Calm down. He’ll never find out.
But she wasn’t sure. Not really.
She quickly calculated the risk and decided to stay in the mall a little longer, just to delay going home.
But for how long?
Jade picked up her bag and finally headed home.
She had survived worse. What else could he do to her that she hadn’t already endured?
She would take whatever he threw at her, break down, recover—repeat. That was her life now.
But she didn’t mean to kiss Aaron.
She didn’t know why she felt guilty. Part of her wanted to rebel, to feel something again… to hurt Xavier back for everything he had done.
But instead, she felt like she had cheated on him.
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Xavier shut his laptop after watching the entire scene at the mall between his wife and a strange man.
He poured himself a glass of whiskey and downed it.
Then he went to his table, poured cocaine onto it, and sniffed a line in one go.
He lit a cigarette, poured another glass of whiskey, and drank again.
Then he walked toward Jade’s room.
- Writer
