The Love That Broke Me

When we got to the parking garage, Jade offered to drive. Since my foot was killing me, I didn't argue.

As I slid into the back seat, she couldn't resist a sarcastic jab. "What? Is the front seat cursed or something?"

I rolled down the window, needing some air. No curse, but the car reeked of Henry's cologne.

Feeling her eyes on me, I replied casually, "You don't do well with blood."

That seemed to settle her down a bit.

"I spilled some perfume yesterday. The smell's probably still hanging around," Jade explained, handing me a half-empty bottle. "I actually made this as your anniversary gift, but I spilled half of it. You can still have it, though, if you don't mind."

I didn't touch it. I don't do leftovers, whether it's food, someone else's perfume, or anything secondhand, including women.

I just leaned back and said, "My foot's bleeding all over your car. Can we get to the hospital already?"

Jade went quiet. Her little attempt at kindness fell flat. But she kept glancing at me through the rearview mirror like she had something on her mind but didn't know how to say it.

When I closed my eyes and pretended to nap, she finally said, "Mom wants us to stop by her house today. Could you..."

She was clearly worried I'd let it slip that Henry was back. Since I was already set on the divorce, I didn't want to make things messier than they needed to be. If her mom found out Henry was the reason, it'd just drag everything out.

So, I just nodded. Jade then let out a sigh of relief.

The rest of the drive was awkwardly quiet, but oddly enough, I didn't mind. It was kind of nice, actually. When we got to the hospital, Jade gave me a squinty look, probably trying to figure me out, then dropped me off at the emergency room before hurrying to the burn unit.

"I'll grab my medicine and be back in a bit. Then we'll head to my mom's."

As soon as we got there, the ER was chaotic. A car accident patient came in, covered in blood. Jade definitely wouldn't have handled it well. She couldn't stand the sight of blood.

It had already been an hour by the time the doctor finished with me, but Jade hadn't returned. Instead, my mother-in-law called, asking when we'd get to the house.

Right then, I got a notification on my phone. Henry had posted something on social media:

'Too much seafood, and now my stomach's killing me. Someone freaked out, but the doctor says it's just indigestion.'

I glanced at the picture. It was taken right here in the hospital.

So much for Jade making it to the old house with me.

Not in the mood to deal with my mother-in-law's endless questions about grandkids, I came up with an excuse to skip the visit. As I left the hospital, nausea hit me, and I had to lean against the wall, dry-heaving while cold sweat dripped down my face.

A passing doctor noticed and stopped.

"You okay, sir?" she asked, looking concerned.

I shook my head. "I'm good, thanks."

Ignoring the dizziness, I headed toward the restroom but overheard a conversation as I turned the corner.

"Henry, you've gotta stop being so reckless. I told you not to overeat, and now you're dealing with indigestion!" Jade said with concern.

Henry smiled mischievously. "Jade, it's your fault for making that seafood porridge so damn good. I wanted to eat the whole thing, even the bowl!"

I turned and saw Henry grinning at Jade like she was the only thing that mattered. The sight of it made my stomach churn even more.

Jade giggled back at him, "If you liked it that much, just let me know. I'll make it for you whenever you want. But you've gotta stop stuffing your face like that!"

Henry noticed me standing there and, with a smug grin, grabbed Jade's face and kissed her hard. "Now that I've locked it down, no backing out!"

Those hands that never cooked for me were now eagerly making seafood porridge for him like it was nothing.

First Love really has a hold on people.

Then, my stomach cramped up even more, and sweat dripped down my forehead. I knew I looked pathetic right then. I glanced at the restroom just a few steps away, then back at the two of them, locked in their little moment.

I decided to walk away, and just so, Henry called out after me, "Luke? What are you doing here?"