Chapter 5

Jessica's voice came through the phone, rough with tears. "Chloe? Can I stay with you tonight?"

I took a deep breath and steadied my voice. "Jessica, what happened? Do you need help?"

She sobbed as she spoke. "I fought with Rex again. He was drunk and tried to hit me. I have nowhere to go right now."

It was exactly the same as in my past life. Jessica always came to me after fighting with her violent boyfriend, Rex Henderson, and I always took her in without hesitation.

I'd never had many friends, and she had been the only one who'd treated me kindly since college.

In my past life, I truly thought of her as a friend, and whenever she had a problem, I did everything I could to help. I didn't realize that every time she came to me, it was so she could sneak around with Leo.

I made my voice sound shocked and sympathetic. "That's horrible. How could he do that to you? Of course, you can come over. I'll come pick you up."

Relief softened Jessica's voice. "Really? You're the best. I'll wait for you at the downtown cafe."

"I'll be there soon."

After I hung up, I slipped on my coat and grabbed my car keys.

It was time to set the last piece into place.

As I drove downtown, my thoughts drifted back to that night in my past life.

Jessica had cried as she told me Rex had hit her again, and I'd taken her home, my heart aching for her. Leo had looked concerned, but underneath it, he'd been thrilled.

I'd been a complete idiot. I'd offered to sleep in the guest room and given Jessica my bedroom.

Then, in the middle of the night, I realized Leo wasn't beside me anymore, and I heard their low, restrained breathing.

Back then, I'd lied to myself. I told myself I must've imagined it. Looking back now, I realized how stupid I'd been.

At the cafe, Jessica sat in a corner booth, her eyes swollen and red, her makeup slightly smudged.

When she saw me, she rushed over and hugged me. "Chloe, thanks for letting me stay with you."

I patted her back. "Don't say that. We're best friends. You should've left that asshole Rex a long time ago."

Jessica bit her lip. "I know, but… I'm scared of being alone."

I held her hand. "You're not alone. You still have me. Come on, let's go home."

In the car, Jessica kept ranting about Rex's violent streak. "He said I was his property, and he wouldn't let me talk to other men. He even meant Leo. He said the way Leo looked at me was wrong."

I almost laughed.

Rex wasn't wrong. Leo really did want his girlfriend, and Jessica was just pretending she didn't notice.

When we got back to Leo's apartment, I unlocked the door with my key.

Leo was sitting on the couch watching TV. When he saw Jessica, surprise flashed in his eyes, but concern took over right away.

He stood up. "Jessica? What happened? You look upset."

Jessica wiped at her tears. "Rex went crazy again. If it weren't for Chloe, I wouldn't even know where I'd go."

Leo walked over and gently touched Jessica's shoulder. "Don't worry. You're safe here."

I watched the way they moved around each other. That easy closeness between them made me feel sick, but I had to keep up the act.

I spoke gently. "Jessica, go take a shower first. I'll get you some pajamas. Leo, can you stay with her for a bit? I'll go make something to eat."

Leo nodded, and something flickered in his eyes. "Of course."

In the kitchen, I could hear their voices drifting in from the living room.

"Is she okay?" Leo asked.

Jessica gave a soft laugh. "She's still so naive. She has no idea about us—"

"Keep your voice down," Leo warned.

I clenched my fists and forced myself to stay calm.

Before long, Jessica came out of the shower wearing my pajamas.

I pretended to yawn. "I'm kind of tired tonight. You two can keep talking. I'm going to bed. Jessica, call me if you need anything."

Jessica hugged me. "Thanks, Chloe. You're the best friend anyone could ask for."

I went back to the bedroom and quietly closed the door.

Then I pulled a tiny listening device out of my bag. I'd gotten it earlier that day from the surveillance systems company.

I crept into the living room and, while they weren't paying attention, stuck it under the couch.

Back in the bedroom, I put on my headphones and adjusted the receiver. Before long, their voices came through loud and clear.

"Is she asleep?"

It was Leo's voice.

"She should be. She looked really tired today," Jessica answered.

"Then we…"

"Wait. Give it a little more time."

I listened with a smirk, and revenge kept twisting tighter under my ribs.

Good. Everything was going according to plan. Tomorrow, when the zombie outbreak hit, the sleazy pair would learn their good times were over.