Chapter 7
Juno was running around for her parents, busy as ever. She barely had a minute for me.
Left alone, I found myself sitting by the pool, just tracing lazy circles in the water with my toes, losing track of time. Out of nowhere, a pair of slim stiletto heels appeared right in front of me.
I looked up. Patricia stood there, holding a glass of red wine, her eyes cast down in a way that felt more like a challenge than anything else.
I hated that look–like she thought I was beneath her.
I got to my feet. Patricia stepped back, eyes flicking to the pool behind her with a glint of something playful, almost wicked.
She spoke, slow and deliberate: “Wanna see who Jared would save?”
For a second, I just stared at her, trying to figure out what she meant.”
Then it hit me.!
Before I could react, Patricia grabbed my arm and yanked me backward. Both of us toppled into the pool with a splash.
So that’s what this was about. She wanted to prove her place in Jared’s heart–in the most dramatic way possible. The problem? I couldn’t swim. Panic shot through me as I thrashed around, swallowing water and gasping for air. Patricia wasn’t doing much better. She screamed for help, splashing helplessly.
The whole party came to a screeching halt. The second Jared heard the commotion, he didn’t even think–he dove straight in.
Patricia stopped struggling just long enough to shoot me a smug, fox–like smile. She was so sure Jared would come for her first.
But she was wrong.
Jared swam directly to me, pulling me close. “Don’t be scared, I’m here. I’m here…” His voice was soft, gentle–just like all those nights he used to comfort me when I was falling apart.2
It wasn’t long before someone helped Patricia out, too.
Once we were both out of the pool, Jared wrapped his jacket around my shoulders, eyes still filled with worry.
But, of course, some people just can’t help themselves.
“So that’s Jared’s fiancée?“Z
“Isn’t she deaf and rnute? An orphan, too. No money, no family, and disabled on top of it. Only thing she’s got is sticking with Jared for five years. Guess patience pays off.”
“That’s what I call a lucky bet. Who’d have thought she’d actually pull it off?“}
“But seriously, she’s disabled and alone… Jared actually likes her? Who’d want their fiancée to be like that? Isn’t he embarrassed?”
“Jared was disabled for years himself. Bet he’s not scared of a little embarrassment.“}
The whispers swirled around us, louder than ever.”
Jared, who just moments ago looked like he might never let me go, suddenly froze as those words sank in. His hand, which had almost reached for me, dropped to his side. His eyes turned distant, complicated.
He locked down at me, not saying a word, but everything he felt was right there in his silence.
I forced a smile, bitter and shaky, suddenly feeling ridiculous for ever letting myself hope. The rejection in his eyes was impossible to miss.
Maybe he did still love me. But never enough. Not enough to fight for me–never enough when it meant risking his pride.
When it came down to it, I’d always matter less.
