The Jacket

Ava’s Perspective

Luck was not on my side. Bill was already home.

My feet hadn’t even crossed the door before the shouting started.

And of course, Alexander’s suit jacket, the one I was planning to hide, had already been found by Bill and was lying on the floor, stomped on like trash. Bill’s face twisted in anger as he pointed at me.

“You bitch! Bringing men home like this—do you think I’m dead?”

My chest tightened. The room went quiet except for the sound of my heartbeat hammering in my ears. He hit the nail right on the head, and it made my stomach drop.

Because the truth was, accidental or not, Alexander had been here, and I had let him in. And the things that happened between us weren’t innocent at all. Thinking about it now made me feel sick with guilt, and I just stood there stamped, not even knowing how to open my mouth to explain myself in a way that wouldn’t make me sound even more suspicious.

Julian, who had just been standing there like a bystander, suddenly decided to jump in. She slid closer to Bill, tugging at his arm like she was the one who could calm him down, and in that fake soft voice of hers said, “Bill, don’t be upset. Who knows, maybe that coat in Ava’s room was just left behind by some guest.”

Her tone was light, but her eyes cut to me like she knew more than she should—or maybe she just enjoyed that I couldn’t say a damn thing to defend myself right now.

Then she turned all the way toward me, laying it on thick with that fake sweetness. “I should also apologize, Sister-in-law. Please don’t blame me for calling Bill away last night. I wasn’t feeling well—I had a stomachache. I didn’t mean to disturb you two.”

Yeah right. Didn’t mean to disturb us, just meant to steal the groom for yourself.

I forced a smile, keeping my voice steady even though my chest felt tight. “It’s fine. You two are such a close brother and sister—how could I possibly blame you?”

The words burned coming out, but I said them anyway. Better to swallow it than hand her more ammo.

“I know it’s not easy for you, Sister-in-law, but you really shouldn’t blame Bill. He just worries about me so much, and I didn’t have anyone else to call except him that time. You understand, right?”

What bullshit was she even talking about? When did I ever blame Bill?

Before I could respond, Bill’s voice exploded. “Why are you even explaining yourself to her? Taking care of my sister is my duty—I don’t need you, bitch, telling me what to do!”

The sudden shout made me flinch. He snatched the coat off the floor and hurled it straight at me.

The heavy fabric hit my shoulder before sliding down, the familiar scent wrapping around me instantly. My stomach twisted. Every delusion I had of it maybe being the wrong jacket vanished in the air.

“You’re going to give me an explanation today!” Bill roared.

The jacket stank of Alexander, sharp and male, mixed with the perfume I had sprayed on myself last night. And worse—God, worse—it carried that smell, the one that couldn’t be mistaken for anything else. Sex.

My stomach twisted. Could Bill smell it too? Could he tell?

I forced myself to glance at him and almost choked on air. His expression had changed. The rage that had just been burning in his face slipped, and now there was something else—confusion, suspicion. His eyes narrowed at the jacket like it was holding secrets only he could see. His hand froze mid-motion.

Panic shot through me.

Without thinking, I gripped the coat tighter, my knuckles going white.

Why was he staring at it like that? Did he see something? A smudge? A mark? God forbid, a stain?

He doesn’t recognize the jacket… does he?

My throat went dry. A thousand excuses tried to form in my head but died before I could piece them together.

God. I’m finished. I’m doomed.