Chapter 4

The next day, I found Jade's contact in my own phone.

Her profile photo was a silhouette of a girl reading, just the side of her face. Her social media was mostly library corners, open books, a cup of tea.

I scrolled down slowly.

Then my finger stopped.

The most recent post. Uploaded yesterday afternoon.

Period cramps are the worst. Can't focus on anything. Good thing my man is taking care of me~

The photo showed a steaming mug of hot milk on a natural wood desk.

I stared at it for a few seconds, then zoomed in.

In the corner of the desk, partially cut off by the frame, was a cardboard box.

On the corner of the box, clearly visible, was the logo of the same expensive pad brand. I counted --- at least eight packs visible.

And beside them, one opened pack that looked like it had just been used.

So that was it.

The desire he'd been holding back during my period had been redirected --- toward another woman entirely.

That afternoon, I did something I never did. I showed up at Damien's office.

What I walked in on made my vision go red.

Jade was sitting on Damien's lap, wearing a school uniform, arms wrapped around his neck.

They were kissing like they had all the time in the world. His hand rested on her waist. The air in the room was thick.

I crossed the room in seconds, grabbed Jade by the hair, and yanked her off his lap.

She stumbled and nearly fell. I raised my hand and slapped her. The sound cracked through the office.

Then I turned to Damien. He'd gotten to his feet, his expression dark.

I raised my hand to slap him too --- but he grabbed my wrist.

"Rachel, what is wrong with you? Why aren't you home? You're supposed to pick up our son from school. What are you doing storming into my office?"

Not a shred of guilt. Like he wasn't the one who'd done anything wrong.

I wrenched my hand free, my voice breaking.

"Damien, you remember we have a son? You could do this here and not think about your wife and kid for even one second?"

Jade pressed her hand to her cheek and shuffled to Damien's side. She tugged lightly at his sleeve, then turned to me and bowed her head.

"Ma'am, I'm so sorry. Please don't be angry with him. It's my fault. I'm the one who fell for him. It's nothing to do with him --- if you're going to blame someone, blame me."

I pointed right at her.

"Jade, I chose to help you because you'd worked so hard to get here from nothing. I wanted to give you a real chance to build your own life. And this is what you do with it?"

"You used your position as someone he sponsors to go after a married man. Do you have any conscience at all?"

Jade suddenly dropped to her knees in front of me, wrapping her arms around my legs.

Her tears were falling fast, the red mark from my slap still vivid on her cheek --- but her eyes were defiant.

"Ma'am, I know this is wrong. But what Damien and I have is real. Loving someone isn't a crime. And if we're really in love --- doesn't that mean you're the one who doesn't belong anymore? The one who isn't loved is always the outsider."

My stomach lurched. I stepped back, trying to shake her off.

"Let go of me. Don't touch me."

But then Jade let out a sharp cry and clutched her stomach.

Her knees buckled. She crumpled to the floor.

"Jade!"

Damien's face went pale.

He'd turned away a moment earlier to close the office door --- he hadn't seen me push her, but he'd heard me tell her not to touch me. When he spun back around, Jade was on the ground.

"Jade? What happened? Are you okay?"

She curled against his chest, tears sliding into her hair.

"I'm okay... my stomach... it hurts a little. Don't blame her. I lost my balance..."

Damien looked up at me. The warmth in his eyes had been replaced by something cold and sharp.

"She's like this and you still pushed her? What happened to you, Rachel? When did you become like this?"