Your Lie Cost You Me Chapter 05
Ben seemed surprised that I had actually left so easily. He stood frozen for several minutes, watching me go, then started after me. But Jean called out from the couch.
“We shouldn’t have made Noelle leave this late. She’s terrified of the dark, and it’s pitch-black outside. Go ask her to come back, or at least drive her to one of those apartments you found.
“Oh, and before you go, could you grab the ointment for me? My knee is really starting to hurt.”
She rolled up her pant leg, revealing a badly bruised knee.
Ben stopped in his tracks and hurried to her side. “Look how swollen your knee is, and you neven said a word. After what she did to you, you’re still worried about her?”
He flicked her forehead in frustration, as though he hadn’t been about to follow me just moments ago.
Jean spoke quietly. “I told you, I slipped. It’s only a bruise. Besides, I’m used to it.”
Ben paused. “You’re used to it? Has she treated you like this before when I wasn’t around?”
Jean hesitated, then nodded.
Ben glared at her in frustration. “Why would you let her push you around like that? I don’t know what kind of hold she has over you. Forget it. I’m not going after her. She’s a grown woman.
“It’s not like she’s going to get lost. Now sit still and let me put some ointment on your knee.”
Jean watched as Ben rubbed the ointment into her bruised knee.
“Why are you so good to me?” she asked softly.
He looked up and poked her forehead. “Don’t be silly. You’re my girlfriend. Of course I’m going to take care of you.
“But what if I wasn’t? What if Noelle were your girlfriend instead? Would you be this good to her?”
Ben’s hand froze in midair, and his smile faded. “You’re pregnant. Stop worrying about things that aren’t going to happen.”
But Jean wouldn’t let it go. “What if it were true? If Noelle really were your girlfriend, which of us would you choose?”
This time, Ben didn’t hesitate. “You, of course. Don’t be silly.”
Reassured, Jean beamed and rested her head on his shoulder. “You said it. You can’t take it back now.”
I knew nothing about the promise they had made or the lies Jean had been feeding Ben about me.
The company had booked my flight for two days later, so I didn’t bother looking for another apartment. Instead, I checked into the hotel closest to the office.
I had just finished getting ready for bed when Ben sent me an address.
“I rented an apartment for you. The door code is your birthday. I’ll let what you did to Jean slide this time, but try it again, and you’ll regret it.”
I stared at the message for a few seconds, decided he was completely unhinged, and blocked him.
I got into bed and closed my eyes, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had forgotten something.
e next morning, I had barely sat down at my desk when I got a notification that Jean had posted something new.
I opened it and saw a photo of her and Ben wearing rings, their fingers laced together. The caption was short and oddly familiar.
“Our story begins with this ring.”
