Chapter 2
I remembered how every time I went on a date with Jason, Valerie would always just "happen" to be there. She'd act all sweet and snap photos for us, help me pick out clothes, and even "accidentally" mention what Jason liked.
She told me, "Whitney, Jason really loves girls who are kind and thoughtful."
"He doesn't like girlfriends who are too clingy, so make sure to give him plenty of space."
"Work's tough on him. You really should cut him some slack."
Every single word sounded so rehearsed, like she'd planned it all out, and I just went along for the ride, playing the "perfect girlfriend" exactly how she wanted.
We had dated for two years and had been married for one year. I honestly thought I was the happiest woman in the world.
But I never realized that Valerie was the real female lead.
I was just a prop in their love story.
Somehow, my eyes were suddenly swimming with tears. I was squeezing that note so hard that my nails bit into my palm, but I barely even felt it.
My phone buzzed. It was Jason calling.
I stared at the word "Honey" lighting up my screen, and for the first time ever, it stung so badly that I had to look away.
I drew in a shaky breath, trying to make my voice sound steady as I picked up. "Hello?"
"Whitney, I've just arrived in Shariport. Turns out the project's a lot trickier than I expected, so I'll probably need to stay an extra couple of days," Jason said.
His voice was as soothing as ever. I couldn't hear anything strange.
"Okay, just focus on work. You don't have to worry about me," I said.
Somehow, I managed to keep my voice cool and collected, so much so that I even amazed myself.
"Alright then. I'll check in with you later," Jason replied.
"Wait," I blurted out.
"What's wrong?" Jason asked.
I stared at the photo in my hand—Valerie was beaming, and Jason's eyes were filled with a warmth I'd never seen before.
"Nothing." I paused for a moment. "I just wanted to ask—do you love me?"
There was a brief silence on the other end, and then his low, gentle laugh came through. "Silly, why are you asking that all of a sudden? Of course I love you."
"How much?" I asked.
"Enough to spend my whole life with you," he replied.
It was such a flawless answer, totally the kind of romance line that would make any girl melt.
If I hadn't seen those photos and letters, I probably would've burst into tears.
Now, I just felt disgusted.
"Got it. Bye," I said.
After I hung up, I shoved all the photos and letters back into the box, put it in the drawer, and made sure everything looked untouched.
I stood up, walked to the big mirror and looked at myself.
The woman looking back at me was pale, but there was something fierce and burning in her eyes.
I had been such an idiot. So damn naïve.
Jason was still in Shariport the next few days.
I found myself watching for every little change in my body, and there was terrifying speculation in my mind.
My period was already ten days late.
By the fifth morning, I went out and bought a pregnancy tester.
Two deep red lines showed up, announcing a brutal fact—I was pregnant.
As I sat in the bathroom, staring at the tester. One sentence kept replaying in my mind. "Once she gets pregnant, it's all over."
Turns out, I really was just a tool in their plan.
My phone lit up again. Jason was calling.
"Hey, Whitney, I'm heading home tomorrow. Is there anything you want? I can pick something up for you," he said.
His voice was still gentle, but it sounded hypocritical to me.
"Anything's fine. You decide," I answered, my words coming out weary and flat.
"Are you alright? You don't sound too good," Jason asked.
"Maybe I've caught a bit of a cold," I said.
"Get some rest, okay? I'll come home early tomorrow and take care of you," Jason said.
Taking care of me? Or was he really just rushing back to see if I was pregnant?
"Sure," I answered.
After I hung up, I tossed the pregnancy tester into the trash. But almost immediately, I pulled it back out and tucked it away in a small box.
I needed to keep the evidence.
The next afternoon, Jason came home.
He walked in with his hands full of shopping bags and that warm smile of his. "Whitney, I'm back."
"Welcome home," I said, going straight to him and giving him a big hug.
As I wrapped my arms around him, I smelled a faint scent of perfume, not the brand I used.
It was my sister's signature scent.
"I brought you some local specialties," Jason said, letting go of me and pulling out a few snacks from Shariport.
"Thanks," I said, taking them. "How did the project in Shariport go?"
"It was alright, just a bit exhausting," he replied, rubbing his temples. "I haven't been sleeping well these past few days."
Not sleeping well?
He was probably texting Valerie till midnight.
"You should go rest," I said, keeping my voice gentle. "I'll handle dinner tonight."
"Let me help," Jason offered.
"No need. You just got back from your business trip. Go take it easy," I told him.
In the kitchen, I absent-mindedly rinsed and sliced vegetables, barely paying attention to what I was doing.
I was wondering how I should break the news to him that I was pregnant.
Maybe I should keep it to myself and see what they were really up to.
Lost in my racing thoughts, Jason slipped up behind me and slid his arms around my waist.
"Did you miss me?" His chin rested on my shoulder.
I tensed up for a split second but then forced myself to melt into his hold. "Yeah... I missed you," I said.
"I missed you too," he murmured, turning me around to face him, his eyes locking onto mine. "Being away these past few days made everything feel emptier."
What a smooth talker.
Honestly, if I hadn't found out the truth, I probably would've been touched.
But now, all I wanted to do was ask him whether he was thinking about Valerie too.