You Tainted Our Love, I Took Back All

When Jessa opened her eyes the next morning, she found Sawyer sitting next to her.

“Jessa, I heard that you’re better now? Here, have some food while it’s hot.”

A warm sandwich was shoved into her hand.

Feeling the warmth of the gesture, Jessa looked at Sawyer. How could he be so sincere in his care for her this morning when he had been in Vanessa’s bed just last night? How could he have called her a fake and devious woman?

“Are you still feeling unwell, Jessa? About the negotiation today…”

“I’m fine. I’ll go.”

Jessa put the sandwich aside. When she looked down, her gaze was filled with contempt.

Sawyer had not come home so early out of concern for her. It was because he needed her to be at the negotiation.

The sandwich went cold and limp the moment it left her hand.

On the way to the meeting, Sawyer kept asking about her, but Jessa did not respond. She watched the scenery speed past outside her window. She did not know when they had come to this point in their relationship.

Jessa’s phone buzzed in her bag. [Ms. Darling, Vanessa is going to orchestrate a car accident!]

The message was succinct. It came from the spy she had placed in the upper levels of the Cevina Group.

The attached picture had a car plate circled. The vehicle itself was heading onto a highway. It was the very truck following not far behind them.

“Stop the car!”

Just as Jessa pulled out her knife and put it to Vanessa’s neck, the truck behind them barreled at them.

In a split second, Vanessa hit the steering wheel. Being in the driver’s seat, she got hit the hardest.

There was a great crash.

The force threw Jessa against the door. She let go of the knife. Luckily, it had not hurt anyone.

In the chaos, Jessa forced her head up. She could swear that Vanessa had smiled at knowing she had gotten her way before she fell unconscious.

From the back seat, Sawyer’s voice was frantic.

“Vanessa! Vanessa!”

Sawyer ignored the blood flowing from his forehead and frantically went over to undo Vanessa’s seatbelt.

The sound of ambulance sirens approached.

…

In the hospital, the sharp scent of disinfectant stung the nose.

The doctor looked grim as he walked out of the emergency room. “Who is the patient’s next of kin? The patient has lost a lot of blood. She and her baby are both in serious condition.”

Before the doctor could speak further, Sawyer grabbed him by the collar. “Make sure the baby is safe. You have to make sure my baby is safe, no matter what!”

He did not even look back to see Jessa standing behind him, equally pale-faced.

At that moment, Jessa clearly heard the truth. Whatever hope she had harbored was thoroughly destroyed.

Sawyer sat vigil in the hospital for three days and three nights. That third day was even his and Jessa’s wedding anniversary.

That night, Jessa received a call from Sawyer. Through the line, Jessa could hear Vanessa’s weak voice.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Pitt. Mr. Pitt is expending too much worry for the baby and me. He will have to make it up to you on your anniversary next year.”

Jessa hung up. She glanced at the candlelit dinner arrayed before her, the food having long gone cold.

A few days later, Sawyer came home exhausted. He hugged Jessa from behind and looked at her with deep affection.

“I’m sorry, Jessa. I missed our anniversary. I love you, but I…”

Before he could finish speaking, his phone rang.

It was a call from the hospital with news that Vanessa’s condition had purportedly deteriorated.

Sawyer immediately straightened up to leave again, but Jessa blocked his path. “Vanessa’s baby is yours, is that right?”

Sawyer’s face went white. “It was a mistake, Jessa. You’re the one I love. But the baby is innocent.”

“Alright then. Prove it to me. Prove to me that your love for me is worth more than that mistake.”