• Chapter 2
    I walk silently into my house and kick off the heels. I sigh and walk into the bathroom. I flick on the lights and look into the mirror. I splash my face with ice-cold water and shiver. I glance back to the mirror and now black eyemakeup runs down my cheeks. I want to punch out the mirror, I want to make my body bleed. I want to rip my own eyes out with my nails. I don't deserve a man like Jade. I don't deserve a man like Gerard. I try to scream, but I will wake up Jade and he will see me.
    I wipe the makeup off my face until my skin is red. I walk back into my room, pulling the dress off over my head. I put it back on the hanger and pull my hair out of the bun. I brush my hand over my head, trying to relax. I look over to the bed and see Jade under the covers, his dreams now interfered by my return. I slip on my nightgown and join him.
    "Where were you?" Jade asks as I begin to stroke his hair.
    "With Gerard. He wanted to see me for my birthday. We haven't met in forever." I sigh.
    "I know," Jade tells me. "It was obvious that you went out to see him. I don't hate you for it," he adds with a small laugh.
    I return a chuckle but my face refuses. It's hard to love two men. I turn to my side and switch the lamp off. In the dark, Jade can't see my tears but he knows. I feel his long arms wrap around me and pull my body close to his chest. I breathe in sharp and hard, and more tears fall.