Chapter 3
Lesley sneered, "Penny, you think you can go up against me? Please, you're not even in my league.
"When you're splattered all over the ground, Dennis and the company are mine for the taking."
Her venomous voice echoed in the empty gear room, sounding extra harsh and chilling.
I held up my phone and captured everything clearly on video.
After saving the video, I quietly retreated into the hallway.
Then, I walked toward the gear room, making my footsteps heavy and purposeful.
"Lesley, is my parachute pack ready?" I asked.
Lesley jumped, hurriedly slamming the locker shut.
She spun around, her face still pale, but she forced a smile.
"All set, all set! Why are you in such a rush, Penny?" Lesley said.
She handed me the pack she'd messed with.
"Penny, I specially prepared this for you. Make sure you carry it yourself, alright?" Lesley said.
I took the pack, feeling the softness of the bedsheet hidden inside.
I sneered inwardly.
"Thanks for all the trouble," I said.
I slung the pack over my shoulder and headed back.
Dennis and Jennifer were already waiting in the lounge.
Dennis glanced at the pack in my hand, then quickly looked away, trying to act like he hadn't seen anything.
"What took you so long? You're always dragging your feet," Dennis grumbled.
I ignored him and turned to Lesley.
"Lesley, I'm heading to the restroom for a moment. Mind holding my pack for a sec?"
Lesley instantly stepped back, like it was contaminated or something.
"Penny, this pack's practically bonded to you. Better keep it close," Lesley said.
I flashed her a smile.
"No big deal, I'll be right back," I said.
Then, without hesitation, I thrust the pack right into her arms.
Without giving her a chance to refuse, I just turned and walked off.
While pretending to head to the restroom, I tracked down the club's coach.
I slipped him a fat wad of bills.
"Coach, I need a helmet with a micro camera. Money's not an issue."
His eyes widened at the cash, and he rushed off to the storage room to fetch the newest model for me.
I slipped on the helmet and made sure the camera was aimed just right.
When I got back to the lounge, Lesley was standing there, clearly fed up, gripping my parachute pack like it was a nuisance.
As soon as she spotted me, she tossed the pack at me in a hurry.
"About time you showed up. We're boarding any minute now," Lesley said.
I took the pack and quietly placed it on the chair beside me, making sure not to draw any attention.
Earlier in the gear room, I'd memorized Lesley's locker number with a quick glance.
While no one was watching, I bent down as if to tie my shoelaces.
In a flash, I switched the pack on the chair with the one Lesley had placed on the floor.
The two packs were absolutely identical; no one could possibly tell them apart.
Once everything was set, I stood up and gave my hands a quick clap.
"Alright, let's go take to the skies," I said.
Lesley's lips twisted into a wicked grin.
"Sure thing, Penny. This is gonna be the last flight of your life," she sneered.
I shot her a smile that was even more dazzling than hers.
I said, "That's right, the last one.
"Just not sure who's gonna end up as a stain on the ground."
The boarding call rang out, and we made our way to the tarmac.
Dennis was out front, holding Jennifer's hand as she skipped along.
Lesley walked in the middle, carrying the parachute pack I'd switched.
Her steps were light, like she could already see me crashing to my death.
I brought up the rear, holding the safe parachute pack that originally belonged to her.
Before boarding, the coach started assigning jump partners and types.
"Sir, your daughter is too young to jump solo. She'll need to do a tandem jump with one of our instructors," the coach said to Dennis.
Dennis nodded.
"No problem, I'll go with her," Dennis replied.
But Jennifer suddenly grabbed Lesley's hand and started yelling, "No, I want to jump with Aunt Lesley.! She'll keep me safe.!"
Dennis chuckled and gave Jennifer's cheek a playful pinch.
"Alright, alright, Aunt Lesley will go with you," Dennis said.
Lesley's face soured.
She gave me a quick sideways glance, acting all concerned.
"Dennis, I can't do it. I've only got a solo license, so I can't take Jennifer. And it's way too risky for Penny to jump alone. Maybe you should go with her instead?" Lesley said.
Dennis's face twisted with utter disgust.
He looked at me like I was a pile of garbage.
"Take her? What a joke! She's a jinx. She insisted on butting in. If she ends up as a smear on the ground, serves her right,!" Dennis spa. his voice dripping with contempt.
Hearing Dennis say that, any last bit of hope I had in me just died for good.
So this is the man I once loved so much.
This was the marriage I literally traded my life for.
I scoffed, my voice icy as I cut in.