Later that night as Jake walked into our room, he was stunned to see the deep cut on my forehead.

“Stacy…” his voice trembled for a moment. If I had not seen him with his brother’s woman, making out in the same bed he shared with me for three years, I would assume his shock was genuine.

“Why didn't you tell me your wound was this deep?” he rushed to my side after picking the first-aid box I had tossed around.

“Let me clean it for you.” He reached out to clean the wound. But, I brushed his hands off, saying in an indifferent voice, “It's merely a scratch, Jake. No need to worry.”

After throwing out these words, I got up in my chair. Making my way to the door, I said. “I’m going to sleep in the guest room. I’m feeling suffocated here.”

“Stacy…” he whispered, “Is this about the morning?”

“If you want Leo and me not to see Linda-”

“It's alright.” I cut him off, “I have no problem with it. After all, she raised him while I was away.”

He reached out to me. Holding my hands, he pulled me in his arms. The same arms that had held Linda hours before. The smell of her perfume still lingered around him and made me feel like throwing up. My gaze swept under his collarbone, a lipstick mark printed on it. The shade of lipstick Linda had worn today.

I quietly broke our hug.

As if a burden getting released, he took a sigh of relief.

“I knew it.” He said, “You have always been mature and kind. Elder Brother died before giving a child to Linda. It's our responsibility to make her feel comfortable. After all, she is a family member.”

“Is this so?” I asked, raising my eyebrows. “Do you only see her as your sister-in-law?”

A moment of hesitation flickered through his eyes. I could feel his heart skipping a beat before he regained his composure as he replied, “Linda and I have a history, Stacy. But, that's all in the past. The day after she got married to my elder brother, I never had any bad thoughts about her.”

He was lying on my face!

But, I did not expose him. I simply smiled and walked away.

The memories of our first night abruptly played in my head. That night, he came drunk. Undressing me, he threw me on bed, deflowered me and told me I was the only woman he loved.

But, the last word coming out of his lips, drained all the blood from my body. He whispered, “I love you… Linda. Please, don't leave me.”

That day, I knew Linda was his first love. But, she was his sister-in-law, and as an adopted child of Vance family, I knew how much value they gave to blood relation. I knew it was impossible between Jake and Linda.

Being blinded in love and affection I had for him since childhood, I believed I would change his heart. So what if Linda was his first love, I would be his last.

But, I was wrong.

I failed to win his heart. Despite sharing a bed with him for three years, from learning new skills just to impress him during the night to cooking meals and taking care of his chores, I could not shake the desire he had for Linda in his heart.

Looking back at me, I had really been living in delusion.

The sound of my phone’s vibration pulled me back from the Abyss of darkness as I looked at my screen. It was Taylor, the man I expected would be the last I would seek help from.

[Everything is planned. In the next three days, you will be dead to the entire world.] He had texted.

[There is no turning point after faking your death, Stacy. You still don't. Because no matter what I’m coming to get you even if it costs me everything I have built for years]

I quickly texted him before I threw my phone aside. [My decision is final. I’m leaving Jake and Leo for good. Never coming back.]

After I texted Taylor, I threw myself on the bed laid on the guest room. A small luggage was placed in the corner. I did not need to pack anything. I hadn't unpacked my stuff yet after arriving from Switzerland.

As I stared at the plane ceiling of the guest room, I told myself. Just three more days, hang on. After that, I’ll be free.

The next morning, Jake left for the office early. He seemed pissed at the time of leaving because I did not prepare his breakfast. However, he chose to be quiet.

Later, as I was taking my coffee, Linda walked into our home. As soon as Leo saw her, he threw himself in her arms.

Giving her morning kiss, he said, “Mama Linda! I missed you so much.”

Linda gave me a side glance, expecting to see jealousy and hurt on my expression. But, I showed none.

I continued taking the sip of my coffee while scrolling my phone, completely unaffected by their little depiction of affection.

“Mama Linda, please drop me at school. I don't like to go with Mommy. She is not as pretty as you.” Leo said, “And, she doesn't take me to eat ice-cream like you do.”

If it was in the past, I would have argued with Linda for hours about taking Leo to eat ice-creams as early as morning. But, the present me, didn't care at all.

However, Linda could not tolerate my silence. She walked on her high heels and stopped just before me.

“Leo is used to calling me Mamma, Stacy. Hope you don't mind.” She said, trying to provoke me.

“It's alright! When he was one year old, he used to call our toilet cleaner ‘Mamma’ and then the maid and one day he saw a bartender and called her ‘Mamma’, I don't mind at all.” I said. “He can call Mamma whoever he wants, I don't mind.”

“He wants you to take him to school, then please do it. He has been a trouble to me, anyways.” I added, “You have saved me a day, Linda. Now, I can happily do shopping with the card Jake gave me last night.”

“You-” she hissed. But soon a smugful smile appeared on her lips as she added, “You are so sweet, Stacy. I guess you definitely wouldn't have minded Jake for taking me on a date yesterday because he thought I was sad.”

“He even gave me a full body massage with his own hands and helped me relieve stress by… ah, let's not talk about that.”

She leaned closer to my ears as she whispered, “Thanks for letting him practice on you for three years. So, he could make me feel good in bed afterwards!”

“He used to be clueless before. But now, he has grown into a really dashing man who knows how to do it. All thanks to you.”

My hands clenched into the Coffee Mug. So, I had really been a substitute for Jake to have practiced until his true love finally came to him.

But, I didn't want to entertain Linda by letting her see through me. I simply smiled as I stood up.

“You are right. I don't mind.” I said, “You want Jake? You can have him. You want Leo? You can have him too. I’m done with both of them.”

Having said that, I walked out of the house. I just couldn't tolerate her anymore.

I was in the driveway, intending to drive far away. I was seconds away from turning the key and never looking back when a piercing scream ripped through the quiet of the estate.

"Stacy! No! Please!"

I spun around. Linda was standing ten feet behind my car, her clothes torn, her face smeared with dirt. She threw herself onto the gravel, rolling and sobbing as if she’d been struck.

"Help! Jake! She’s trying to kill me!"

Jake charged out from his car, his face contorted. Leo was right behind him, his small face pale, clutching a toy soldier.

"What happened?" Jake roared, rushing to Linda’s side.

"Leo asked me to drop him at school!" Linda wailed, pointing a trembling finger at me. "She got angry... She said I was snatching her son. So, she’d make sure I never walked again! She put the car in reverse and floored it, Jake! If I hadn't jumped..."

"I saw it!" Leo shouted, his voice high and shrill, perfectly rehearsed. "I was looking out the window! Mommy aimed right for Mama Linda. She was smiling, Daddy. She looked like a monster!"

I stood paralyzed, the keys heavy in my hand. "I haven't even started the engine, Jake. The car is in park. Look at the gravel—there are no tire marks!"

Jake didn't look at the gravel. He looked at Leo, whose testimony was the only truth that mattered in this twisted house.

"You tried to run her over," Jake said, his voice dropping to a terrifying, calm register. "In front of our son.”

“I thought you were kind and mature. But, I was wrong.” He spat, “You are a jealous scheming woman who bullies others.”

‘I didn't do it!’ I wanted to scream.

I never meant to fight her for you or Leo? She wants to have Leo, she can have him.

She wants you? She can have you as well. I’m done with you, Jake.

But, he lunged before I could scream, his hand was around my throat, pinning me against the driver’s side door. He reached into the open window, clicked the locks, and shoved me into the driver’s seat.

"Jake, what are you doing?" I gasped, clawing at his hands.

"You like cars, Stacy? You like using them as weapons?" He leaned in, his face inches from mine. "Let’s see how you handle one without a safety net."

He didn't hit me. Instead, he reached under the steering column with a pair of heavy-duty shears he’d grabbed from the garage. With two swift, practiced snips, he severed the brake lines. I heard the hiss of fluid leaking onto the driveway like a dying breath.

Blood drained throughout my body. I had never rode a car in the past two years while I was away, and still didn't know how to drive properly.

Driving a car without break was like asking me to do suicide.

But, Jake’s dark and distant gaze were crystal clear that he was not joking.

"The estate road is a three-mile decline, Stacy," Jake said, his voice devoid of any humanity. He reached over me, shoved the car into gear, and jammed a heavy wooden block—a leftover from Leo’s toy set—onto the accelerator.

"Jake, no! Stop!"

“You should have thought twice before even thinking of hurting Linda!” He spat, his voice cold.

The engine roared, the tires screaming as they struggled for purchase on the gravel before the car lurched forward.

I looked in the rearview mirror one last time. Jake had his arm around Linda, and Leo was waving goodbye.

***

When I opened my eyes, the harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital room blinded me. I groaned, my throat feeling like I’d swallowed crushed glass.

"Stacy? You're awake."

A familiar voice sounded. It wasn't the voice of the man who had severed my brake lines and watched me careen toward a potential grave. It was soft, almost melodic.

I turned my head slowly. Jake was sitting in a chair pulled close to the bed. His usual sharp suit was wrinkled, and there were dark circles under his eyes.

When he saw me looking at him, he reached out, his fingers brushing a stray hair from my forehead with a gentleness that made my heart stutter in confusion.

"The doctors said you had a severe concussion and a few cracked ribs," he whispered, his hand lingering on my cheek. "You're lucky the car hit the embankment and didn't go over the cliff side."

I stared at him, my mind reeling. Where was the monster from the driveway? This man looked... devastated. He squeezed my hand, his palm warm against my cold skin.

For a fleeting second, I wondered if the crash had been a fever dream. Maybe he hadn't done it. Maybe he had saved me.

Then he said, “You have learnt your lesson. From now on, do not try to hurt Linda.”

My nails dug deeper in the sheets.

‘I didn't do it!’

The words remained stuck to my throat, never coming out. I knew he wouldn't believe me.

The next two days, he stayed by my side. And when I was discharged, he personally helped me into the car, placing a pillow behind my back. He didn't speak of the accident, only of my recovery.

"We’re going to the family dinner tonight," he said as we pulled up to the manor. "Everyone is waiting. I told them you had a minor 'mishap' with the car. It’s best we move past it."

I felt a chill. Mishap. Is that what we were calling an attempted execution? Yet, as he walked me into the dining room, his arm remained firmly and protectively around my waist.

I leaned into him, a small, treacherous part of me hoping that the near-death experience had finally opened his eyes to my innocence.

The long mahogany table was set for a feast. Leo was there, playing with a silver spoon, and Linda sat to his right, looking radiant in a cream-colored silk dress—the picture of a victim who had narrowly escaped a villain.

The dinner was quiet, the clinking of silverware the only sound. As the dessert plates were finally cleared, Jake cleared his throat. The room went silent. He turned to me, his hand covering mine on the table.

"Stacy," he said, his voice dropping to that same soft, gentle register he’d used in the hospital. "I'm glad you're back. I’m glad you’re safe."

I felt a tear prick my eye. "Jake, I—"

"But for us to truly move forward as a family," he continued, his thumb tracing circles on the back of my hand, "there needs to be closure. We can't have this darkness between us."

He looked toward Linda, who cast her eyes down with a practiced, trembling lip.

"Stacy," Jake whispered, leaning in close so only I could hear the terrifyingly calm edge beneath his words. "Apologize to Linda. Tell her you’re sorry for trying to kill her. Do it now, and we can go back to how things were."