Part 5: Forbidden Love

"Can you be quiet? You'll get weaker when your emotions run high," Jack hissed. Through his piercing eyes, I could tell he was furious. I sighed and looked back at Kevin who was lying in front of me. 

"How do you feel, Kevin?" I asked, almost expressionless. 

Kevin tried to squirm but failed. His body seemed to be glued to the bed. “Please, dear Jenny. Get me out of here. My body hurts so bad.” Kevin groaned in pain. 

I glanced at Jack who was still crouched in the corner of the room, asking for advice on how to serve Kevin. Jack blew cool air into my ears from a few feet away. My chest shook violently. I watched Jack disappear in the gray smoke which of course only I could see. All right, Mr Loser. This time I will treat you as a good wife, I muttered to myself. 

I fell silent in a sitting posture. Besides being nervous, I was also confused about how to act. Kevin kept groaning. It was possible that the wounds on his body caused excruciating pain. Or just the impact on his head that gave him a concussion serious enough to make him dizzy. 

However, I can't touch it. Some of Kevin's body was covered with gauze. I even saw the seepage of a deep red liquid on the gauze bandage. 

I shudder. "It must hurt so bad," I hissed. 

"Get me out of here..." Kevin groaned over and over. 

“Shut up! If you force me to get you out of here, death will come upon you as soon as you hit the streets!” my hard drive.

 "Aaargh! This... it hurts, Jenny!” Kevin groaned louder. His body twitched and then began to move here and there.

“Call the nurse, madam! Hurry up, don't just sit there!" cried a woman who was a fellow patient nurse to me. I nodded, then pressed the red button attached to the wall near Kevin's bed. Not long after, two nurses came. A stethoscope hangs from your shoulder, a thermometer and an oximeter in your pocket, and don't forget a set of stationery.

I stood away. If need be, I'll run away from this shitty hospital. The rancid smell of blood and the smell of medicine made me nauseous. However, the ethics of being a good wife and loving husband were the only things that kept me going, only standing about a meter behind the medics who were examining Kevin. 

When a syringe entered the skin of his arm, Kevin groaned louder. Oops, that bastard is way too easy to hurt other people's bodies than to feel pain in his own body. 

"Calm down, Sir. This will make you feel no pain, you can even sleep for some time,” said a tall, lanky male nurse. 

"Get me out of this hell, Jenny!" shouted Kevin in an indistinct pronunciation. Of course I'm the only one who knows. I couldn't help but roll my eyes and shake my head. I signaled him to be quiet.

After all, there was no point in rebelling either. That would make him even more helpless. Kevin calmed down after that. His wild eyes slowly closed. 

“Rebecca … don't leave me ….” Kevin sighed before finally falling asleep. Even if I hated his attitude so much, I wouldn't be able to fight the jealousy. Turns out my love is still there for that bastard!

 "Who's Rebecca?" I asked slowly. 

"Sorry, Mrs. Jenny. Rebecca is the woman who was with Mr. Kevin when the accident happened,” said the nurse, making me gasp. 

"So it's true what Lana said ... oh, Kevin, you really are a traitor ...." 

"Do you know Rebecca, Madam?"

“No … oh … yes, I know him but not familiar. We … are two women fighting for a place in Kevin's heart.” 

The nurse nodded her head. “But Rebecca didn't survive, Madam. The woman died instantly at the scene before the police arrived. Until now her body is still stored in the morgue because we didxfind any identity for Rebecca. The police are trying to find her family with Rebecca's haircut and blood samples." 

I smile. Thank God, the wild woman was dead. Too bad Kevin didn't follow him to hell.

 *** 

The chill started to pierce the bones. I shivered. I cursed myself for not heeding Lana's words, letting the good-natured girl get away from me who really needed attention. 

A gust of wind broke my daydream. That pine scent again. Jack .... 

"Need a hug, honey?" 

My blood boils hearing the whisper of the voice. 

“Jack … oh, you ….” Slowly, Jack appeared. His firm jaw was clearly visible in the moonlight streaming in through the roofless inner courtyard of the hospital. My blood boils even more as Jack's strong arms wrap around me. We were standing so close. His body warm against mine. His breath smells like mint. 

"Jenny..." he whispered in my ear. 

“Don't come and go, Jack. You know I need your warmth. A warmth that I can't find from any man. Kevin is no exception." 

"How is your husband doing?" I took a deep breath. 

"The nurse injected him with a sedative and he can sleep now," I said. 

“Kevin raving? Or rebel to want to get out of here?” I grabbed Jack's arm to wrap his arms around my cold body. 

"Both are right. You're so clever." 

In the corner of the hospital waiting room, Jack and I made out. The lips thirsting for love intertwined endlessly. Jack squeezed my shoulders gently and I hugged his neck tighter. 

“I sinned, Jack,” I said, breaking free. 

"Because of what?" asked Jack cluelessly. 

“I got lost in this game. I swear, this is crazy! I am a wife and now having an affair with another man!” I shouted. 

Jack grabbed me in his chest. He buried my head until I felt calm. 

"I'm a husband too, Jenny," said Jack. 

Like a thunderbolt on a hot day, I was surprised to hear Jack's statement. 

"You lied to me, Jack!" 

"But we're in the same position, Jenny. You have a cruel husband. Likewise, I have a devil wife who eats human souls.” 

"You didn't say anything about it before." 

"I'm waiting for the right time." 

"Ah! You and Kevin are the same! I hate you!" I struggled, freed myself from Jack's arms and ran as fast as I could down the dark, empty hospital hallway. 

Until I'm tired of running, this hallway seems endless. I almost fell and passed out when Jack grabbed me and hugged me. 

"Don't run away from reality, Honey," Jack said, kissing me. 

Gradually, a cold chill infiltrated my body. I lost consciousness again and again, letting Jack carry me to manhe likes. 

"I love you, Jack. I really love you. But you are on the other side of my heart, next to Kevin. Same portion, but different expectation ….” My subconscious keeps whispering those words. Oh, Jack. Of course you heard it and must have been overjoyed.