No interest, please
1015 Words
Benita’s mind was far from the whirring washing machine as the events of the day replayed in her head. The Seet brothers. Together. Before me. She leaned against the wall, pressing her hand to her forehead. Why now? Why did they have to show up and drag her back into the memories she’d been fighting to forget?
Damon’s words echoed in her mind. I tried to save your life. Was that supposed to justify everything? Was she supposed to forgive him for signing those divorce papers and vanishing like a ghost? The man had no idea what he’d left behind.
Paris. He loves Paris, she thought bitterly. Damon got to run off to his dream city, probably surrounded by beautiful women and the luxury his family was obsessed with. Meanwhile, she was left to pick up the shattered pieces of her life.
“I have Jace. That’s all that matters,” she whispered, trying to steady her breathing. “I have Jace. I don’t need anyone else.”
Her eyes drifted back to the washing machine, but her thoughts betrayed her. Save my life? Did they think I was stupid? The lie rolled off their tongues too easily, like butter sliding off a knife.
The door to the laundry room opened, and Jace walked in, a soft smile on his face. His hands were behind his back—he was holding something, no doubt another romantic gesture.
Benita turned back to the machine, pretending not to notice him. She wasn’t in the mood.
Jace walked up to her and gently pulled her into his arms. She resisted, trying to push him away. “Jace, not now,” she muttered.
“I got you something,” he said, revealing a bouquet of flowers.
Benita sighed and took them politely. “Thank you, baby,” she said, pressing a quick kiss to his lips. “But I’m busy right now, okay? I’m not in the mood for flowers.”
The disappointment on his face was impossible to miss. He stepped back, his eyes searching hers.
“I don’t love him, Jace,” she said softly, already knowing what he was thinking. “You know how I felt when you met me. I was shattered, confused, and hurt. He left me as a shell of myself. I’ll never forgive him for that. Don’t think for a second that I’ll go back to him.”
“Then why are you thinking about him?” Jace’s voice was calm, but his words cut deep.
“I wasn’t thinking about him,” she lied quickly. “The washing machine’s just taking too long. That’s all.”
He didn’t buy it. The doubt in his eyes made her stomach churn.
“Jace, I’m only human,” she admitted. “He used to be my husband…”
“And I’m your husband now,” Jace interrupted. His voice was steady, but there was a sharp edge to it. “I have feelings too, Benita. Please, don’t do anything to ruin what we’ve built.”
“I’d be stupid to,” she replied, her voice trembling. She knew how much Jace had done for her—how hard she’d worked to move on from Damon, even if her heart still betrayed her sometimes.
“Come here,” Jace said, scooping her up into his arms effortlessly.
“Jace!” she protested, laughing despite herself.
He carried her up the stairs, his steps firm. “I can be a better husband than Damon ever was,” he said as he kissed her forehead. “Don’t think about him, okay?”
When they reached the bedroom, he nudged the door open and laid her on the bed with such care that her heart swelled. His lips brushed against her neckline, sending shivers down her spine. She let herself get lost in the moment, her body trembling under his touch.
Then the doorbell rang.
Jace groaned in frustration, rolling off her. “Are we expecting anyone?”
“I don’t know,” Benita muttered, equally annoyed. “It’s probably the pizza guy or something. Wait here. I’ll get it.”
She slipped out of bed, throwing on a robe as she hurried down the stairs. The knocking grew more persistent.
“I’m coming!” she called, pulling the door open.
Her breath caught in her throat.
It was Damon.
Benita froze, her heart pounding against her ribcage. She quickly tried to slam the door shut, but Damon’s strong hand held it open.
“You need to listen to me, Benita,” he said, his voice trembling. “You need to know the truth.”
“Get out of here, Damon,” she hissed, panic rising in her chest. “My husband is here. He can’t see you.”
“Benita, please,” he pleaded, his eyes filled with desperation. “I’ve been searching for you for years. I didn’t even know you’d be here. I just—I need to explain.”
“Damon, go,” she begged. “You have no right to be here.”
But Damon dropped to his knees, grabbing her hands in his. His voice broke as he said, “Benita, I want you back. It wasn’t all in my control—I swear. I love you. I’ve always loved you.”
Her heart sank. The words she’d longed to hear years ago now felt like a cruel joke. She couldn’t let herself fall for this. Not again.
“Go to hell, Damon,” she spat, yanking her hands away. She slammed the door shut, leaning against it as her chest heaved.
“I’ll kill him if he comes back here.”
She said to herself. The sound of glass shattering directed her focus to the stairs. There was Jace standing at the bottom of the stairs, his face dark with anger. There was a shattered mug on the floor.
“Jace what are you doing?” She asked with shock.
“Your last warning, Benita,” he said in rage. “I won’t warn you again!”
Her body went cold.
- Writer
