Chapter 5 ROMANTIC HOMICIDE

"Sarah," he spoke with a slightly colder tone, "we need to have a conversation."

"Sure," I responded, feeling unease growing in my stomach. "What are you thinking about?"

His arms crossed, his gaze becoming stern. What made you respond to the message from the search team?

I was caught off guard by the question. "I... I believed it was crucial, Jake. The communication appeared to be pressing, and I wanted to avoid any delays. I was simply attempting to offer assistance.

He shook his head, his voice getting louder. "Can you assist me?" Sarah, this operation requires delicacy. Rescuing my brother is a sensitive issue. You can't simply involve yourself in matters that are not your concern.

His words sliced through me with sharpness, swapping the warmth and hope I clung to for a bitter chill. "Jake, I didn't intend to meddle. I simply wanted to ensure that they were able to continue searching. I believe you would desire that.

"Perhaps," he mumbled, his gaze narrowing, "but I don't want you to handle things yourself." He let out a sigh, as though he was addressing someone who simply couldn't comprehend. "Isabel will return home to recuperate, and she requires the main bedroom."

She is in delicate health, and I wish for her to feel at ease.

His words carried the weight of a stone, causing my breath to be stolen. "Is that the main bedroom?" Jake, that is... that is the room belonging to us.

The person shrugged dismissively afterwards. Right now, she needs it more than we do. You can transfer your belongings to the guest room until she improves.

I gazed at him, feeling a mix of shock and pain in my heart. It was overwhelming. I had provided him with patience, empathy, and assistance - but this was more than I had ever expected. He seemed to prioritize her needs over mine so much that there was no space for me to even consider it.

"I know she's going through a tough time, but I am too, Jake," I whispered, my voice shaking. Your attention is solely on Isabel, that's why you don't notice." "I, however..." I paused, sensing the heaviness of my hidden truth, the optimism and happiness that had been developing within me. "Jake, I'm also expecting a baby."

He glanced at me, appearing almost uninterested, as though I had mentioned something insignificant, something that didn't deserve his attention. He sighed, his tone infused with disbelief, "Sarah, please." "Let's not get too ahead of ourselves." This is not the moment to play games.

His vacant stare and lack of response to my words completely broke me. I had been anticipating some display of concern or affection from him, a gesture of love and empathy, but instead, he was ignoring me as if my suffering meant nothing.

"I am not messing around, Jake!" I lifted my voice, feeling desperation starting to take over. I've been attempting to inform you, but your attention is so fixed on Isabel that you don't even see me. "I'm also pregnant with your baby!"

He hardly blinked, running his hand across his face as he was already starting to look away.

"We will discuss this at a later time," he stated with no emotion, treating the news as if it were a minor inconvenience. "At this moment, I am focused on Isabel's wellbeing, and I believed you would comprehend that."

I felt a sharp pain in my heart, and I held back the tears that were about to flow. This was not the same man I had wed, the man I had adored. I stood there, informing him that I was expecting his baby, but all he did was brush me off.

Following a lengthy, empty silence, I forced myself to swallow, feeling the tension leave me as I quietly said, "Okay." "If that is your desire."

I abandoned him, sensing like a specter as if I was descending deeper into a world where I was unnoticed, unwelcome. Ascending the stairs to collect my belongings, the weight of each step increased, and my heart was burdened by the truth I could no longer deny. It seemed as if I was sacrificing parts of myself to accommodate someone who had drained me completely.

I collided with Isabel at the top of the stairs, where she stood with a smug smile that intensified my anguish. Her gaze filled me with a combination of pity and contentment, and I resented how it made me feel insignificant and feeble.

"Sarah, things aren't going as planned for you, are they?" she said in a smooth tone, feigning concern with her voice. "Poor thing, being sent to the guest room as an afterthought."

I made an effort to remain composed, unwilling to show her how deeply her words affected me. "I have no idea what scheme you're carrying out, Isabel," I said firmly, "but I won't allow you to meddle in Jake and my relationship."

She released a quiet, derisive chuckle, her eyes shining with a malevolent sparkle. "Oh, Sarah... do you believe you would be part of this family if it weren't for my influence?" She leaned forward, speaking more quietly. Believe in me. Everything happening here is due to my permission.

Her words were poison, each one filled with a mysterious warning that I couldn't grasp completely. Prior to my reply, I caught Jake's footsteps approaching me from behind, and as I glanced back, I noticed him in the doorway, becoming more gentle as he gazed at Isabel.

"Isabel, happy birthday," he uttered, his warm and gentle voice twisting the knife even further. Next, he put his hand in the bag and took out the painting I thought he had brought for me. He passed it to her gently, and then he revealed the bunch of roses I had noticed, their bright red petals reminding me of the void within.

I felt my heart break when I came to understand the truth. The present I treasured, the considerate shock I clung to as evidence that Jake still cared... it was never meant for me. It had always been for Isabel.

They exchanged a silent, close gaze brimming with affection and empathy, a gaze that had been absent from him for months.