Chapter 5

Sophie's POV

A moment later, I heard the sound of kissing through the wall. Jessica's soft, breathy moans followed right after. "You're so naughty, making Sophie listen to us from the other room."

"There are worse things I can do. Wanna try?" Ian rasped.

I clamped my hands over my ears, but the sounds still slipped in through my fingers. A creeping chill seeped into my heart until the pain made me curl up on the floor.

My mind was at war. On one side was all the good in Ian—the way he'd treated me, the promises he'd made, the way he'd smiled at me. On the other side, my brain kept replaying the image of him and Jessica tangled together as the noises broke through my defenses.

My head hurt like it was going to split. I fumbled inside my clothes for my antidepressants and shoved the pills into my mouth one by one.

I had no idea how much time had passed before Ian opened the door, a bath towel slung low around his waist. He looked down at me imperiously. "Is that all it takes to break you? How are you going to survive the rest of this year?"

Behind him, Jessica stepped forward, her body covered in hickeys. She laughed. "Don't tell me you're feeling sorry for her, Ian."

His gaze flickered, but he still sneered. "Feel sorry for her? As if. I only married her so she could taste the same pain I went through. Why would I ever feel sorry?"

My head shot up, and I stared at him in shock. Despair spread through my chest. So, all of this was a lie. There'd never been any love between us. This was nothing but a long-planned revenge tailored for me.

I was pushed past the breaking point and snapped. I suddenly found a surge of strength, lurched to my feet, and slapped Ian hard across the face. The sharp crack stunned all three of us into silence.

For a few seconds, none of us moved. Then, Ian roared, "Did you actually hit me? You're asking for it, Sophie!"

My heart hurt so much that it was as if it'd been gouged out. I let out a bitter laugh. "Didn't you bet that I'd slap you after finding out you were cheating? Well, I've done it now. Why are you so mad?"

I laughed even louder. "But if it were Jack, I honestly wouldn't have hit him. I could never bring myself to."

As soon as I said that, Ian's expression turned hideous. He stared at me for a long moment, then suddenly smiled. "You're provoking me on purpose, huh? Fine. Have it your way."

He took a step back and slowly closed the door in my face. This time, I didn't try to stop him. Instead, I backed up step by step until I reached the bed.

As the sounds from next door started up again, I stacked the pillows and blankets high. Standing on top of them, I opened the custom skylight Ian had installed for me and slowly climbed up onto the roof.

With every step, a voice whispered in my ear. "Just die already. Ian stopped loving you a long time ago. He's only with you to get revenge. Death is the only way you'll ever be free."

The second that voice faded, I smiled and jumped off the roof.

This time, it was my body that fell past Ian's window. Inside the room, his eyes bulged as he lunged for the window.

"Sophie, no!"