I slapped him in the face.
He stopped.
I wanted to tell him that I will not let him hurt
anyone anymore.
“I remember she had come into our place
after she left.”
He protected her as he walked away.
I asked why he left me.
“Why are you hitting me?”
He then drove away.
“I’m going to make you hurt.”
Jake had a shock look on his face.
I held Kyle’s hand and walked away.
After a time.
His yells were then gone.
Kyle and I had a fancy wedding.
“You know the truth now and are you going
to marry me.”
Kyle touched my suit.
“Honey, the contract says you’re going to hurt
me.”
I then glared at him.
He made me write that down ten times and
then let me go.
After that, he protected me, and I did not see
Jake anymore.
I only heard about the news of Jake.
It was known that Jake had gotten a loan, and
Jake could only pay with the money that he
would earn.
Everyday was busy.
Things did not get easy for me to get over
things.
Maybe Jake was not the most honest guy.
Maybe he’s going to start another company, and he is going to need to do it himself.
A few years after the wedding, Brittany
divorced her husband.
It was heard that she was looking for Jake,
but Jake did not want to see her.
The time I saw Brittany, she was at the event.
Jake was also at the event.
He had created a small company based on his
<
Someone wanted to know about the life with
Jake, but he passed on the opportunity.
Every time that happened, Kyle would get
mad and then would show us off.
He would get angry and treat me well to show
people.
The corner of the event, Jake was smoking.
“I was thinking about you when I was living in
Europe.”
“I didn’t want to be here.”
I could not understand the words she was
trying to say.
く
Jake Linen Sie dl me.
When he saw my stomach that was growing,
he put out the cigarette.
“Good luck.”
He did not look at Brittany.
The event would turn sour, and there will be
new people coming.
Kyle did not want me around Jake and would
drag me away.
Brittany glared at me and then turned away.
I then came to my senses.
Jenny waved me over, a familiar glint in her
く
Once I was sitting next to her, she gave
herself a thumbs–up.
“I’m psychic, I tell you! I said you’d find
someone hotter and more successful than
Jake, and boom, you did!”
I winked at her.
“Thanks to you.”
On stage, Brittany was wearing a long white dress, her hair flowing behind her.
It fit her queen persona perfectly.
She finished her piece, and the crowd
applauded.
Jake was standing close to the stage
حامصمط
L
Jake was standing close to the stage, hands in his pockets, watching her intently.
Someone and I have no idea who cough
–
scheduled Brittany and me to perform back-
to–back.
Brittany came off stage, gave me a quick glance, and headed straight for Jake, linking
her arm with his.
I kept my head down, trying to not let it
bother me.
Jenny muttered, “Annie, don’t let her get to
you.”
I laughed.
At this point Jake couldn’t stir up any
く
At this point, Jake couldn’t stir up any
feelings in me.
I walked on stage, brushing past Jake as I
went.
“Annie!”
I stopped.
He said, “You can’t play piano. Why are you
doing this to yourself?”
I looked at Brittany with amusement.
“Is that what you told him? That I’m terrible,
so he should stop me from going on?”
“It’s got nothing to do with Brittany. She just
L
cares about you and doesn’t want you to
embarrass yourself in front of everyone.”
“Oh, really? Tell her thanks! But I don’t need
it.”
I turned and walked onto the stage.
I didn’t even bother to acknowledge Brittany’s
fake facade.
I played “Croatian Rhapsody,” a piece full of power and emotion.
It wasn’t just about the hope of the Croatian
people after the war; it was about me leaving
the past behind and embracing a new life.
Until I hit the last note, the room was silent.
–
Then, a roar of applause erupted.
Under the stage lights, my beauty was
dazzling.
