Chapter 7
Josie stood there, shivering with cold, as she watched him vanish into the dense smoke.
Ten minutes later, a figure emerged–Adam, carrying the unconscious Jessica on his back. His shirt had been burned away, leaving his exposed skin raw and bloody.
Meanwhile, Jessica was on his back. She appeared untouched, with her skirt only slightly dusty and her hair perfectly in place.
“Get an ambulance!” he shouted, collapsing to his knees but still cradling her protectively.
It wasn’t until he saw her safely placed on a stretcher that his vision went dark, and he fainted completely.
Josie’s eyes reddened as she pressed her chest, feeling no pain.
anymore.
It was a relief.
The emotional wound Adam had inflicted seemed to be healing.
At the hospital, Josie stayed by his side throughout the night.
When Adam awoke, his first words were, “Where’s Jessica? Is she okay?”
Josie replied calmly, “She’s fine. She left after her wound was treated.”
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He exhaled in relief and then added, “Josie, I saved her because we’ve known each other a long time. I didn’t want her to die…”
“I understand.” she said.
Adam was surprised and gently tousled her hair, thinking she believed
him.
Josie realized just how deeply Adam cared for Jessica, so much so that he was ready to put his life on the line for her.
In the days that followed, Adam remained in the hospital, his gaze constantly fixed on the door, anticipating someone’s arrival.
Josie understood he was hoping to see Jessica.
However, Jessica wouldn’t show up.
She was well–versed in the art of playing hard to get.
Unable to wait any longer for her appearance, Adam was eventually released from the hospital.
Once he was out, only two days remained until Josie’s wedding.
While Josie was booking her plane ticket on her phone in the car, Adam suddenly suggested throwing a birthday party for her, as her birthday was approaching.
“Josie, who would you like to invite? You don’t have many friends. My sister is your best friend, but I have no idea where she’s been lately.
“She’s about to marry into the Acker family, so I don’t want to impose too much. Since she’s unavailable, why not invite those from the class reunion? You’re familiar with them too…”
Chapher
Among those from the class reunion was Jessica.
Josie closed her eyes, feeling tired.
Adam was clearly hinting that he wanted to invite Jessica.
“Just organize it however you see fit,” she responded..
Ultimately, the birthday celebration took place on a cruise ship and was incredibly extravagant.
Adam presented his girlfriend with an incredibly valuable diamond necklace. The guests expressed their envy, noting how lavishly he treated his girlfriend.
However, only Josie noticed that his eyes were constantly tracking the woman in the white dress on the deck.
Then, Jessica approached with a glass of red wine.
“Happy birthday, Ms. Hacitt,” she said..
Josie distinctly felt Adam’s arm around her stiffen for a moment.
“Thank you,” Josie replied with composure.
Jessica’s eyes lingered on the necklace for a moment before she “accidentally” tripped–the red wine splashed all over Josie’s dress.
“Oh no! I’m so sorry!” Jessica exclaimed, hurriedly grabbing a tissue. “I didn’t mean to…”
Adam frowned and said, “What are you doing?!”
Although his words seemed critical, he didn’t even glance at his
Chapter 7
girlfriend, whose dress was now stained.
Even while Josie was assisted in changing her clothes, Adam seemed completely oblivious.
As she observed him, still standing by Jessica and seemingly wrapped in an argument with her while sneaking glances her way, Josie felt a wave of self–pity and gave a bitter smile.
An attendant guided Josie to the cabin’s corridor.
Just as she opened the door to the changing room and was about to step inside, a rough, large hand suddenly clamped over her mouth from behind.
She muffled as she was forcefully pulled into the utility room, the overpowering stench of sweat assaulting her senses.
A disheveled man pinned her against the wall, his murky eyes gleaming with lechery.
“Ms. Meane was right. You’re indeed a beauty…” he sneered, tugging at her collar. “She paid me to sleep with you and said she wanted to destroy your reputation. Hehe…”
Ms. Meane?
Jessica Meane?
Her mind reeled. She never imagined Jessica could be so cruel as to hire a vagrant to disgrace her.
