The Second Marriage Chance

Sarah

My thoughts were a tangle of confusion as I emerged from the bathing area, freshly changed into new garments. Jane greeted me immediately.

"Did you relax?" she asked, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. I noticed the other salon staff shared her embarrassment; one even cleared her throat nervously before slipping into the bath area for cleaning. They must have heard my moans through the thin walls.

"D-did you hear it?" I stammered.

Jane nodded, her blush deepening. "And everyone else. But don't let it bother you. What can they do about it, really? Besides, you and Philip are-" "Ex-spouses!" I interjected. Shocks! It was scandalous! That's when I truly took in Jane's transformation. "Wow! You look stunning, Jane!"

"Really? Thanks! I can't believe they managed to do something with my hair. I'm happy!" she said, her spirits visibly lifted. Though her eyes were still red from crying, her whole demeanor had brightened. Her hair was now shorter, accentuating her sophisticated aura. Brandy had truly done an excellent job!

"It's because you're naturally pretty!" I said with a faint smile. "By the way, where is your brother?" I had just noticed that Philip was nowhere to be seen.

Jane's expression grew serious. "Megan's villa is on fire. Philip rushed there with Dr. Ethan to check on her."

I winced, a knot forming in my stomach. Just great. After everything that went down between Philip and me, after I convinced myself that my feelings for him were indestructible, after he intruded on my peaceful spa day, now he's with Megan. How am I to convince myself he doesn't harbor love for her?

"Love, what's wrong?" Jane's observation pierced through my brooding thoughts, her concern evident as she observed the shadows in my eyes.

I mustered a faint smile. "It's nothing, really. Just feeling a bit foolish."

"Oh, love, don't be silly," Jane reassured me. "Philip and Megan are just classmates, and Megan's family is out of town. Philip's just being caring, that's all."

Right, like that changes anything.

"Shall we head to the bar you mentioned?" I redirected the conversation, masking my inner turmoil. I couldn't let Jane suffer the weight of my mood, not after her earlier distress.

"The Quill Tavern?"

"Yes, precisely." I'm eager to unwind, something I haven't managed to do lately.

That's when I noticed the flood of texts from various people: Philip, Jakob, Bronn, Amir, and surprisingly, Josh.

Curiosity piqued, I decided to delve into Josh's message.

It read: Madam Sarah, let's meet. I've been swamped with work lately, but I finally have a chance to break away.

Upon reading that, I turned to Jane and asked, "Would it be alright if I invite someone to join us at the bar? I just need to speak with him briefly."

"Of course!" Jane replied.

As we stepped outside the salon, Trey was waiting. My expression soured upon seeing him, but he made no complaint as he escorted Jane and me to the designated pub. Jane had reserved a private room for us, away from the bustling disco and rowdy patrons in the public area. A server was assigned to cater to our needs within the room. "Please wait out here," I instructed Trey before we entered the private space.

His brow furrowed, silently probing the room with his gaze.

Before he could protest, I added, "Jane and I need to discuss something privately. It's girl talk."

Jane forced a smile at Trey.

"Alright, I'll wait out here. Just be cautious with your drinks," Trey replied.

'Whatever!'

We entered the VIP room and promptly placed orders for food and drinks. As Jane and I settled into our respective single couches, I reviewed the messages on my phone. Amir: Sarah, it might be best for you to return home to Grandpa Mitchell in Dubai.

Bronn: Let's arrange to meet once I'm in Highland Hills.

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Jakob: How are you? How's everything with your husband?

He was deliberately provoking me, itching to get under my skin. Philip: I've got something important to attend to. Catch you later. Important... It indicates just how important Megan truly is!

The need for a drink consumed me like a relentless fire! Thus, when the margarita I had requested graced the center of our table, I swiftly gulped its contents. Jane noticed my actions. "Are you alright?" she inquired.

I glanced at her. Damn it! Why does her brother bear such a striking resemblance to my friend? Jane reached out and clasped my hand; it was clear she had sensed my discomfort before. "You can confide in me, you know. I'm always here," she whispered.

As her best friend, I knew Jane was my only confidante. "Jane, I don't even know where to begin."

"Is it about Madam Cornell? I'm truly sorry, Sarah. At one point, I came close to confiding in my dad about her bullying behavior. However, he promptly encouraged me to excel at work, emphasizing to me that Brother Philip and I should be strong. I hesitated to disclose Madam Cornell's mistreatment, fearing his reaction given his prior advice."

I was deeply moved by Jane's predicament.

"I love your brother, Jane. How do I begin to untangle them?"

"Aww!" Tears welled up as Jane embraced me, a bitter reminder of the turmoil within.

"I've given up so much, Jane. I can't bear to love him any longer, not when there's a harsh reality looming between us. He's Madam Cornell's son, a truth that taints every moment. Despite knowing he never truly loved me, my heart still clings to him, a foolish prisoner of longing. Am I a fool, Jane? I long to despise him, to use my anger as a shield against Madam Cornell's cruelty, but I can't bring myself to hurt Philip."

"My heart agonizes, torn between forgetting and holding onto him. I yearn to extinguish this love within me."

If only I could unlove Philip, perhaps then, life would relent in its cruel grip.

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"I want to apologize. Last year, you confided in me about what happened with my brother and your baby. I didn't confront Philip about it or disclose your secret to him. I avoided discussing you altogether. Madam Cornell threatened me, saying she'd kill you if I spoke to Philip about the baby. She also threatened to sabotage my education in London. For that, I'm deeply sorry, Sarah. I feel powerless to change what occurred."

I was utterly stunned. That conniving woman!

That was one of my questions. I nearly couldn't fathom Philip's claim of ignorance regarding what happened to my poor baby. Yet, my disappointment cut deeper when I realized Jane had kept silent. Why did she withhold such crucial information from me?

Nonetheless, isn't it Philip's responsibility to uncover the truth? He failed to do so because he doesn't love me!

Moments later, Jane excused herself, mentioning that she needed to seek Mr. Cornell's permission to stay with me at Amir's villa for a while.

I despise this emotion! I abhor feeling sorrowful!

Three imposing figures breached the room while I was alone. "Well, well, well... What do we have here?" one of them growled, their presence casting a sinister shadow over the space.

Arching an eyebrow, I pondered whether Trey might be trailing Jane.

"Would you like to entertain us, baby girl?" inquired another.

"We noticed your friend left. It's a pity because you both are quite attractive," remarked the third.

"I must agree. The ones lacking in appeal are certainly the three of you!" I retorted.

Observing them bribe the server to have the man vacate Jane's rented room, I simply shook my head.

"Did you just insult us?" one of them attempted to intimidate.

"Ugh, how exasperating! And do you even dare to question the truth of it?" I shot back with seething intensity.

From my bag, I withdrew a sleek black. 45 caliber gun. With eyes darkened and gritting teeth, I declared, "Do you know what? I'm in the mood for causing some pain tonight. My husband left me for his mistress! So, if you're up for a game, come on! I'll ensure this room turned bloody!"

I slammed the gun onto the table with a resounding thud, hoping to convey the seriousness of my intent. They scattered like frightened mice.

"Tsk! Idiots!" I muttered, pulling the trigger in frustration, an unexpected burst of pungent pepper spray filled the air-it wasn't a firearm, but a pepper spray gun.

Before I could process my annoyance, a hulking figure barged into the room.