Chapter 8

Emma

After that visit, I realized my fate was decided. 

Andrew was already driving me home, and, of course, Jessica was with us. Since Andrew agreed for her to stay with us under the pretense of “recovering,” my family wasted no time but to let her come with us. Funny that her things were already packed. It was as if that talk was nothing but a mere formality and everything was already decided with or without my consent. 

Oh, well. That was pretty expected. 

Jessica was in the backseat, grinning and full of energy. On the other hand, I felt so uncomfortable knowing that she was sent to our home to seduce my husband. And hell, Andrew was so naive! How could he not suspect that Jessice was faking her illness? Was he blind? 

Suddenly, Jessica opened up a conversation.

"Andrew, thank you for letting me stay with you guys," she said sweetly. She was obviously rubbing it to my face knowing that I knew what her real intentions were. But as expected, Andrew was blind by it. All he could see was Jessica’s sweet image like she was a saint incapable of doing anything bad. 

When in reality, she was cunning, manipulative, and a huge gaslighter. 

I sighed deeply and felt bad about myself. Whenever my family decides something for my life, all I can do is stand by and watch them steer my future.

"Yeah, no big deal," Andrew replied casually.

Jessica leaned her face closer to Andrew.

"Andrew, you know what? When I was at uni, I found the beaches there so beautiful. Have you been before?"

“No, but I’d love to,” Andrew responded enthusiastically. 

I bowed my head as they continued to talk to each other. It was as though I didn’t exist. Andrew even smiled at her the way he never did to me. It was like they were the only persons existing in the world and everyone around them was nothing but a nuisance.

Most especially, me. 

The gentleness in Andrew’s voice was something I longed for ever since. The way his eyes spoke softly to Jessica drove a needle into my heart. Why can’t Andrew ever be like this to me? Why was it hard for me to reach his heart? 

The two of them continued their conversation, not bothering to acknowledge my presence. Neither of them invited me into the conversation. But then again, it’s not like I could easily talk with them. Jessica and I already had unspoken issues, and my relationship with Andrew wasn’t the best either.

So the drive continued, with just the two of them having fun.

"Andrew, I heard that Alpha Ken from the Blood Moon Pack is visiting our pack soon. Is that true?" Jessica suddenly changed the topic.

Andrew tilted his head toward the rearview mirror.

"Yes, you’re right."

Jessica’s eyes widened. Nobody could probably tell that her expression was obviously fake. This false excitement filled the car.

"Wow! I heard that Emma and Alpha Ken are old friends! Sis, did you know about this? Were you two close back then?"

I held my breath. Suddenly, Jessica had invited me into their conversation, but in the most awkward way possible. Andrew suddenly slammed the brakes. I noticed the car was stopped at a red light. Andrew fixed his eyes on me.

After a few seconds of silence, I cleared my throat and turned my gaze toward the bright red light ahead of us.

"No, we haven’t been in touch for years," I said.

I tried to hide the real expression my face wanted to display. I guarded myself by staring at the reflection in the car window, almost letting them see the utter disgust I felt at what my sister was trying to do.

"Oh, I see," she replied, sounding disappointed enough. Oh, I knew what she was trying to do and I won’t give her the satisfaction of falling into her tricks again. 

When the light turned green, we drove back to our place in complete silence. Jessica no longer dominated the mood inside the car. At least for the last part of the journey, I had some peace.

Soon, we arrived at the parking lot of our home. Andrew pulled over near the front door. When I looked in the rearview mirror, Jessica was sleeping soundly. Her face looked so sweet and innocent. It was nothing compared to the scheming person I always knew her to be.

And unfortunately, Andrew was too blind to see. 

Andrew got out of the car. I was about to reach for Jessica’s knees to wake her up, but Andrew rushed to the door, gently pulled Jessica out of the car, and carried my sister in his arms.

I watched as my husband carried another woman into our house. The one that my family wanted to be his new wife and baby mama. 

And at that point, I lost my breath once again.