Chapter 4

• ALEXANDRA
• My head hurts, and every bone in my body is screaming from pain. I groan as I turn in my bed and try to reach for my phone, but give up as I feel the urge to sneeze.
• The events from the previous night come crashing down, and I feel my heart shatter once more. A cough tears through me, shaking my ribs until I curl into myself as the nightmare from last night plays in front of me, the stage, the applause. Jack’s betrayal and announcement.
• I close my eyes tight, but it doesn’t help. My heart splinters again, sharp and fresh as if I were still frozen in that moment. Unable to believe what I was seeing.
• Except… that isn’t the last memory.
• The last thing I remember is a jacket. Warm, heavy, and shielding me from the rain
• A hand steadying me.
• Green eyes, watching me without judgment or pity.
• He saved me twice.
• Who was he, and why did he help me? He could’ve turned his head, let me disappear into the night like a fool drowning in her heartbreak. But instead, he walked with me in the rain without saying a word.
• I didn't even get his first name.
• But I don't get to dwell too much on my questions because my door bursts open.
• “Are you dead, or has your level of laziness has now reached a new level?” Marina Hughes, my mother-in-law, spits.
• For three years, I woke up earlier than everyone. I did the chores because Jack refused to have a house help since we needed to save money for his start-up. Even when I was sick, I pushed myself, which wasn't exactly hard since I come from a military background.
• My parents are fallen heroes; they were serving in a peacekeeping mission when they passed away. I quit active duty after their death because my uncle pleaded for me to have a normal life. That was when I met Jack and fell for him at first sight.
• “Are you deaf or just plain stupid?” Marina spits.
• I try to push myself up, but my limbs betray me. My throat burns, a cough rattles through me, and I collapse back against the pillow, shivering under the blanket.
• I blink at her, fighting to sit up straighter.
• “I… I’m not feeling well.”
• “Not feeling well?” she scoffs, her red lips curling in disgust. “You’re young and strong, and you’re already acting like a burden. If you can’t manage a simple household routine, what use are you? A lazy wife is no wife at all.”
• “Are you calling me names and insulting me because of one day that I've woken up a bit late because I’m sick? When it is your son's fault?” I ask, not bothering to hide the impatience in my tone.
• “How is it Jack's fault? All you ever do is leech off his money. I bet he would have succeeded earlier had it not been for your greed slowing us down, yet you dare blame him?”
• “Well, I got soaked because your son decided to parade his mistress in front of everyone and keep me hidden. You were there, you saw what happened.”
• “Is that why you have refused to help out around the house? Because of last night? Don’t you think you’re overreacting?” Jack joins the party, and I watch him with my mouth hanging open.
• Overreacting?
• Is he serious?
• “You're joking, right?”
• “Come on, Alex. You even know that was just business. Mia's father said he could only invest if we made it seem like we were romantically involved. Was I just supposed to say no?”
• My laugh comes out broken and choked.
• “Business?” I whisper, my voice cracking under the fever and the weight of his words. “You humiliated me in front of everyone, Jack. You held her and looked at her like she was your world… and you call that business?”
• Jack sighs like I’m being difficult, running a hand through his hair. “You’re being dramatic. I did what I had to do. For us and the company. You'll thank me later.”
• “For us?” My chest aches, and not from the cold. “Tell me, Jack, when exactly do I fit into this ‘us’? When I clean your floors? When I cook your meals? Or when I sacrifice everything while you put another woman on a pedestal?”
• “Enough,” Marina snaps. “Stop embarrassing yourself. You should be grateful my son even keeps you in this house. Do you think anyone else would want you with that attitude?”
• The words sting, sharper than the fever spreading through my body. For a second, the room spins, and I clutch the blanket, fighting the wave of dizziness, but just like always, Jack doesn't say a word to defend me.
• “Look. I know you're upset, but trust me, babe, you'll be flying to places and enjoying yourself in no time. But that will only happen when I make sacrifices. I will make it up to you, okay?” He soothes, and Marina makes a sound at the back of her throat, storming off.
• “I'm not fine, Jack. Just leave.” I mumble. Feeling an irritation I didn't know was possible.
• How is it possible that I fell in love with this man?
• He left me in the rain, and if it wasn't for that handsome saviour, who I owe so much to, God knows where I would have been.
• Jack sighs, looking defeated as he says, “Fine. I'll drop off Alicia at school. You have had enough rest. If there is anything you want, just let me know.”
• “Actually, I have an event this evening. It's very important, can you make it?”
• Tonight is the Military annual ball, and my invitation came through. Maybe if Jack sees how respectable I am, he will focus on us and our marriage instead.
• I mean, he can't go public about us because he thinks I'm of no value, right?
• “Yes, sure. I will be home early.” He smiles at me.
• I nod, holding his gaze,
• “Don’t be late.”