Chapter 2
After we graduated from college, we went on a graduation trip together.
When things got really intimate, Jeff restrained himself and didn't take it all the way.
He told me he wanted to save it for our wedding night.
I used to think we'd always be this sweet and happy together.
But the Jeff who always treated me with such care and respect ended up arranging for someone to take away my innocence, all because of some groundless gossip.
I gripped the hem of Jeff's shirt tightly, clinging to my last bit of hope as I asked him, "I think I'm okay now. Can I skip next week?"
"Gina, don't be scared. I'll go with you," Jeff said.
His answer was firm. There wasn't a hint of hesitation, not even a trace of wavering.
As his words fell, I felt everything inside me go cold. All hope was gone.
The next day, Jeff was scheduled to attend a charity gala.
It had been planned a week earlier.
Back then, he pleaded with me to go, saying it would help me unwind.
I really didn't want to go out, but I couldn't refuse him, so I agreed.
Now that everything was out in the open, my gut told me this charity gala was anything but innocent.
But the styling team Jeff had hired showed up early.
More than a dozen girls swarmed around me, and I forced myself to go through with it, like a marionette with its strings pulled.
It was not like I had many days left to live, anyway.
After three more hypnotherapy sessions with Archer Clarke, I should finally be done with everything.
Thinking about that, I gave a smile of relief.
That was when the mocking voices started drifting over to me.
A person said, "Gina really knows how to work it. Look at her, smiling like a sly fox, she's got Mr. Currey so into her, he doesn't even care about his family anymore."
Another said, "Seriously? I heard Gina's been passed around by everyone. Mr. Currey won't even touch her."
Someone said, "No way."
Someone else said, "Why not? The butler here is my uncle. He told me that Mr. Currey always keeps disinfectant on hand at home. He thinks Gina's dirty..."
I closed my eyes, acting like I hadn't heard anything.
But tears still rolled down from the corners of my eyes.
It was no wonder.
It was no wonder Jeff suddenly started insisting on separate meals at home.
It turned out that he thought that I was dirty.
The charity gala was making headlines, and the hotel entrance was packed with reporters.
My first instinct was to shrink back.
Jeff seemed to sense my fear. He patted my hand lightly, letting me know he was right there with me.
But just as I stepped out of the car, someone suddenly shoved Jeff out of the way.
I was left standing alone in the crowd, surrounded by countless cameras, their dark lenses all pointed straight at me.
A person asked, "Ms. Macy, Elvira's barely been laid to rest, and you're wearing a striking red gown tonight. Is this some kind of subtle provocation against the Currey family?"
Another said, "Ms. Macy, rumor has it you killed Elvira out of anger because she was blocking your path to marrying into the Currey family. What do you have to say about her death?"
Someone asked, "From what I know, you and Elvira always had a rocky relationship. You told the police she invited you out shopping, but you can't provide any evidence. So what's the real truth here?"
Someone else asked, "Some gossip accounts are spreading rumors that you willingly took part in orgies. Is that true?"
A person asked, "Ms. Macy, care to comment?"
The reporters' questions came at me one after another, like they were trying to cut me to pieces.
Through the crowd, I spotted Jeff, watching it all unfold with icy indifference.
I realized that this was what he wanted all along.
I couldn't take it anymore. Huge tears burst from my eyes.
Seeing this, the reporters only got more frenzied, scrambling over each other to get closer.
With all the pushing and shoving, I lost my footing and fell awkwardly to the ground, utterly exposed.
The slit in my dress flipped open, and the cameras zoomed in, determined to catch the most sensational shot.
"Get the hell out of here!" Jeff's furious shout finally slammed everything to a stop.
His outburst froze the whole scene, like someone had hit pause on the chaos.
The reporters scattered, and Jeff, eyes blazing with anger, rushed straight to me.
He said, "Gina, it's okay, I'm here. Don't be scared. It's over now."
Jeff draped his suit jacket over my shoulders and gently led me to the hotel lounge.
"Gina, just stay here and take it easy. I'll handle those reporters myself and make sure they don't dare leak a single thing. Trust me, you don't have to stress," Jeff said.
Then, he walked out without another word.
The lounge was quiet, until two message alerts chimed.
The sound came from Jeff's phone.
It read: [Hey Jeff, how are those reporters I found for you?
[Pretty ruthless, huh? You can always count on me!]
I set the messages as unread and placed the phone back into Jeff's jacket.
Before I knew it, tears were falling again, and I just couldn't stop them.
Jeff and I started dating when we were eighteen.
For six years, we were always together, practically inseparable.
Now, he didn't trust me at all, and whatever feelings he had for me were long gone.
I even find myself thinking that it would have been better if I had been the one violated and killed that night, instead of Elvira.
At least I wouldn't have to suffer like this.
The thought kept echoing in my mind, growing stronger and stronger.