The air between them was thick—no smoke, no silver, no rituals. Just the weight of truth.
Sarah's voice came soft. "I didn't want to lie. I had to."
Jake let out a dry laugh. Bitter.
"Had to? That's a classic excuse."
"I was—"
"Don't," he said, holding up a hand. Sharp. "Don't explain. I knew it. Damn it, I knew something was off."
She took a step toward him, instinctively. "Jake—"
"…Now I don't know what to believe," he said, backing away. "Who are you?"
Her breath caught.
"Guess I should've known better than to fall for my dad's 'wife.' Real fairytale stuff."
Silence.
Sarah turned her head, blinking hard.
"I never expected you to feel anything," she said quietly. "I never expected to feel anything for you."
And somehow… that only made it worse.
Jake looked at her for a long second, eyes hard. Then he shook his head.
"…Yeah. Well. Guess you just ruined your own plan."
He turned and walked out, the door swinging shut behind him—leaving her standing in the ruins of everything they never got to be.
A memory hit her like a cold wave.
David's voice was low, serious.
"He's struggling, Sarah. He's lost. He needs help. I don't think I can do it alone—I've tried. We need this—for him."
She remembered the weight of that moment—the silent understanding, the pact made behind closed doors.
She wasn't his wife.
Not really.
Just a role she had to play.
But now, watching Jake walk away…
She wondered if the lie was worth all the pieces it shattered.
"Damnit, David."
She collapsed onto the bed, tears pouring from both eyes.
"Damnit…"