Page 81 of Jain

“What?” I spluttered, seizing a robe from the bathroom door across from the bed.

“I’ll go and answer the door. Be calm. This won’t be easy. I love you, ok?”

I nodded, my hand shaking as he walked away from me, a steely look in his eyes. This was something I didnotwant to see but had to. I ran down the stairs, hearing the door open, and Julian stormed in angrily.

“Where’s Jain?” Julian barked, his eyes narrowing when he saw me. The air left my body when he gazed at me, taking in the wine glasses on the table, the pile of clothes on the floor. He clenched his jaw before looking at Evan with rage.

“I’m hoping one of you has a good explanation for what I see here,” he spat as Evan folded his arms. “Because the last I knew, Jain, we were getting married in eight days.”

I was crying, and yet no sound came out. I couldn’t even offer him an explanation.

“What is this? One last fling? What thefuckis this, Jain?!” Julian shouted, and I finally found my voice when Evan stepped forward his face stern.

“Shit, I’m sorry, Julian.” I felt better for speaking, but Julian didn’t.

My stomach churned when Julian’s lip curled with disgust. “He was yourteacher! Is this some sort of sick fantasy?”

Fuck.

Julian’s eyes were wild with anger, yet I tried to understand his reaction.

“Julian, I’m leaving you.”

The words left my mouth robotically, and I clamped a hand to my mouth with surprise.

There was a stunned silence as Evan moved to be beside me, wrapping his arm around me as I inhaled.

Julian lifted his eyes to mine, his teeth gritting together as he pointed the finger at me.

“What? Are you fuckingkiddingme?”

“If you let me get dressed, I’ll talk to you properly—” I stammered as he glared at me.

“Like you should’ve donebeforeyou fucked him, you slut!” Julian roared, stepping forward as Evan moved me behind him.

“No, this ismyfight,” I argued, moving back in front of Evan as Julian stared at me in disgust.

“You were planning on telling me, weren’t you? Or were you going to jilt me at the fucking altar?!”

Julian breathed heavily, and my hands shook when he turned towards the door.

“I have to ask you something,” Julian asked, his breaths ragged with rage as he stared at both of us. “When was the first time? Was it last night?”

I dropped my gaze and felt my cheeks flame. I had never been a good liar.

“Will one of you fucking answer me?” Julian snapped, and I took a deep breath.

“Evan was Lee,” I confessed, knowing this was going to end everything as I knew it.

Julian did a double-take before he covered his eyes and almost fell to his knees. Evan frowned at me curiously as I stared at Julian with despair.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered as Julian looked at me with tears in his eyes.

“You should’ve told me. Instead, you told me he wasdead, Jain. I can’t—I just...I have to go.”

Julian walked out of the door blindly as I ran after him, Evan close behind me.

“Julian! I’m sorry. I do love you. I just can’t be with you.” I sobbed as he turned to look at me, his choked sobs killing me inside.