Page 82 of Jain

I never wanted to hurt him.

“No, clearly not. Did you think of me at all? Howworried I was when you didn’t come home? No? Just...leave me alone. You’re not who I thought you were, Jain.”

Julian turned and got into his car, sending me a devastated look as he did. It wasn’t until he drove off that I let my emotions out, turning to see Evan staring at me with concern.

“Who the fuck is Lee, and why did you tell him I was dead?”

I closed my eyes, knowing I had another round of explaining to do.

“Could I just grab a coffee and some clothes? Then I will explain, I promise.”

Evan nodded, but his eyes told me something had changed, and I prayed it wasn’t anything to do with us.

I couldn’t deal with that. Ever.

Evan

Ilistened to Jain, my stomach twisting this way then that, as I absorbed the information.

“Let me just recap,” I said, as her eyes looked at me with fear.

My robe had slipped from her shoulder, exposing her creamy skin. She was perched on the edge of the sofa, clasping her hands together nervously.

“So, you told him you had an ex-boyfriend called Lee...who wasme?” I checked, unsure where she had connected the names, discarding the question as useless.

Jain nodded glumly, swallowing as I studied her. It made sense to me that she would do that, almost like a coping mechanism. However, I fully needed to understand what she had told Julian.

“You said I died?”

Panic struck her features momentarily before she reached out and grabbed my hands.

“Notyou. I could never say those words. So I made out that my ex died, so I would never have to talk about him orsee him ever again. He asked why you weren’t on social media...it just got too much.” Her voice cracked a little, and I exhaled slowly.

“Fuck, Jain. This is all a bit much for a Saturday morning.”

“Do you, uh, do you want me to go?”

Her voice was tiny, yet I couldn’t help but admire the way she composed herself. Her hands were shaking, and she was incredibly pale.

As if I wanted her to leave. I’d only just got her back.

I shook my head, squeezing her hands.

“No, I don’t want you to leave. It’s just strange. I admire the fact you told him the truth just now.”

Jain let out a strangled cry, and my heart ached.

“Jain, you’re barely twenty-two. Please don’t beat yourself up.”

“He hates me. You think I’m weird—” Jain sobbed as I pulled her into my arms.

“Jain, look at me,” I commanded as she lifted her eyes to mine. “What man would find it acceptable that his wife-to-be had done this to him barely a week before marrying him? Then for him to find out that I’m your ex—who he thought was dead—Jesus. It’s like a soap drama!” I let out a small laugh to try to ease her mind.

“I know, I need to speak to him,” Jain started, and I pulled her into my arms.

“That’s probably the last thing you need to do right now. But you know people will be demanding explanations. His family, your mother...”

She looked up at me, and I stopped mid-sentence.