False Romantic

For five years I had been the lover of my best friend’s little brother… and I found out that he was only using me for practice! Chapter 1 For five years, she'd been in a secret relationship with her best friend's little brother. Always with plenty of spending money on hand, he'd taken her to all sorts of places, where they'd done all sorts of things together. Stacy Rivers couldn't even go to the restroom without getting cornered by him against the washbasin, the young man's arms encircled around her slender waist. Stacy's eyes swam. "Joseph, not so rough…" Joseph Dorne chuckled lightly, then leaned down and took one earlobe between his teeth, as he taunted her. "Is this too much for you, already? We're only just getting started, you know…" A surge of pleasure rose up from within. Stacy gave in to the feeling, her protests falling silent. Over the years, they'd made lots of little memories in lots of places, but she was ever the one scrambling to keep up with his insatiable desires. Truly, a younger lover wanted it all the time, and wanted it in so many ways… Joseph peered at her with seething intent, hands caressing her hips hungrily. "How can it feel so good, just to touch you? I can't get enough… it's like an addiction. No other man is allowed to lay their hands upon you, I trust you understand. You belong to me." Stacy had long known that he was the possessive sort. She gave him a smile and a kiss. "You know I'm yours, and yours alone." They went for several rounds until Joseph was good and satisfied. He fastened his belt once more, glowing with manly triumph. As he turned to leave, she caught him by the hand. "I'll be turning thirty soon. People have been frantic about whether I'm ever going to get married. I've honored your wish to keep quiet about what's going on between us, but now my parents have a bunch of suitors lined up for me, and… do you have anything to say about all this?" Joseph hesitated, then turned around and planted a little kiss on her lips. "Please be patient for my sake, Stacy," he whispered, in gentle reassurance. "You'll hear my marriage proposal, real soon." These words dispelled the anxiety in Stacy's heart. She watched him turn off at the end of the aisle, then collected her clothes and put them on once again. She checked her handbag, straightened up, and then slowly made her way back to the party. As she was just coming around the corner, she heard a raucous peal of laughter. "Joseph, my man! We could all hear you back there, giving her the business! The way that hussy moaned… hah! It gave us all the shivers!" "Stacy Rivers with that figure, that waist… yowza! Any man would get hooked on that taste! You know how many guys have their sights set on her? But no… only our boy Joseph has what it takes to score that forbidden fruit! Although… how many years has she been with you, now? Don't you think you've had enough fun with her already?" What? What did they mean by, 'had enough fun with her already?' Feeling a sudden chill, Stacy stood there, listening in confusion. Someone inside seemed to ask a question, and then: "Well, of course he's only having fun with her! Joseph's always been in love with that girl, from when we were in high school together! We were all roaring for him to go for it! I mean, can you imagine any girl saying no to this pretty face? But he was so serious about the whole thing, it was unbelievable! No experience, he said! No experience flirting with girls, or being in a relationship… or having sex! He simply refused to court that girl until he was sure he wouldn't mess things up… and that's why he picked up some other woman for a few years: it's all just for practice!" "And now, guess what? The girl of his dreams will be returning from abroad, soon! Joseph, you've had your fun with her for years, now… aren't you going to break it off with Stacy, yet? Instead, the two of you are still going at it as passionately as ever! Don't tell me—it's become something real?" In the questioning silence that followed, there was a thunk as Joseph set down his beer mug, then drawled, "No, she's only for practice. Basically a toy. Nothing more." He'd said that so callously… Stacy felt as though she'd been stabbed through the heart with a knife. Her limbs felt numb, while every breath she drew seemed to fill her lungs with burning agony. It was all she could do to remain standing. But there was no time for her to process these sudden emotions: The voices and laughter were rapidly drawing closer. Fearing to bump into any of them in this moment, she placed both hands onto the wall beside her, pushed herself around to face in the opposite direction… and then she fled, as quickly as she could manage. As a full-grown woman, almost thirty years of age, it should be disgraceful to cry. Stacy stumbled aimlessly through the pouring rain outside, her thoughts and feelings roiling about in a chaotic jumble. She'd first met Joseph during her first year in Summit University, where she'd become best friends with Jeanne Dorne. Hanging out regularly at Jeanne's place, she'd naturally become acquainted with her younger brother, Joseph. At first sight, she'd been utterly smitten by him. However, romance had been the furthest thing from her mind. She was four years older than him. He was Jeanne's little brother. And so, Stacy had treated him as a little brother, too. After graduation, she'd been eager to prove her own independence, and so she'd begun a career here in the city of Balmora. Her looks constantly attracted the attention of all sorts of men. One time, during a social event, she realized she'd taken a spiked drink, and immediately fled to a nearby hotel, calling Jeanne to come to her rescue. In her distress, she'd selected the wrong name from her contacts list, and called Joseph instead. When Joseph arrived, Stacy had instructed him to fetch a doctor. Instead, gazing intently at her with those mesmerizing eyes of his, the young man removed his shirt. That night, the barely legal teen had helped her to alleviate the effects of the aphrodisiac drug she'd been given, in a more straightforward fashion. That following morning, Stacy had woken up feeling as though she'd committed a terrible crime. She'd hurriedly made to leave, hoping they could both pretend that nothing had ever happened… but then Joseph had embraced her from behind, kissing her gently on the nape of her neck, while whispering, "Had your fun, now you're just gonna run? I won't allow it." Following that incident, she'd tried to evade him, but he was relentless in his advances. Eventually, she'd succumbed to his charms, and they'd started seeing each other in secret. The past five years, they'd gotten along perfectly, the passion between them never dissipating in the slightest. Stacy had come to believe that they'd make it all the way. She'd been eagerly awaiting his proposal, so that they could finally move on to the next stage. But she'd been kept waiting. Pressured by her family, she'd finally asked him about it. She hadn't expected, though, that there was nothing at all in store for her! He already had his heart set on another woman; as for Stacy, she'd never been anything besides a toy for him to 'practice' with! She found her way home in a daze, then curled herself up in a corner, gradually freezing to death as she thought about nothing in particular. She just remained like that, losing track of time completely, until the ringing of a phone shattered that icy silence. She fished out her phone and took the call. The voices of her parents came through, somber with concern. "Darling, it's been weeks! Have you reached a decision yet… about meeting one of these men?" Stacy's eyes fell upon a photograph on the table: one she'd taken with Joseph, to commemorate their fifth anniversary together. She sucked in a long breath of air. "Alright, I'll do it." From here on out, she'd be starting a new life for herself. Joseph was free to go pursue his old flame, or whatever. And the two of them would never have anything to do with each other, ever again. Chapter 2 Stacy's parents hadn't expected her to give in, just like that. "Really? You're sure? When will you be coming back, then? Shall we just proceed with the wedding arrangements? Or would you prefer to meet the guy first, and see how things work out?" Emotionally drained, Stacy couldn't even be bothered to have an opinion about anything anymore. "I leave it entirely up to you guys. I've just gotta tie up some affairs over here, and then I'll be heading home." Hearing the weariness in her voice, her parents had a few more words of concern for her, before hanging up. Silence fell over the room once more. At last, Stacy climbed back up to her feet, and staggered into the bathroom. After a shower, she emerged to find Joseph on the sofa in the living room. "You left without saying anything. Did something happen?" Stacy's breath caught, and she lowered her head so he wouldn't see how she'd cried her eyes red and raw. "My phone ran out of battery, so I decided to just come back." Not the most convincing excuse, but Joseph didn't dwell on it. He pulled her close, and with a light tug, undid the sash on her bathrobe… Stacy gripped his hand firmly before he could reach inside and cause havoc. "Didn't you just go several times, back at the party? It's only been a couple of hours…" Not realizing that he was being rejected, he caught hold of her hand in return, lacing his fingers through hers. "Has it only been that long? Don't you know, the mere sight of you instantly fills me with endless desire? I want you, more than anything else in this world…" His usual sappy, romantic drivel… it all just sounded like cruel mockery, now. Endless desire, huh? Wasn't she only a toy, for practice? Hadn't he had quite enough fun with her yet, over these past five years? She turned aside from an incoming attempt to kiss her. "Is that so?" she murmured coldly. "And what if you were never able to lay your hands upon me, ever again?" At last, Joseph began to realize that something might be amiss. He paused in thought for a moment. "You love me; I love you. We are in love. What could keep us apart?" In love, he said? Really, now… Stacy's lip curled. Instead of giving a frank response, she dodged the question entirely. "Never mind, it's nothing. I got caught in the rain on the way back, and now I'm feeling kinda unwell. I just wanna get to bed, right now." Joseph couldn't dispute that she did look somewhat drained and weary. He placed a few gentle kisses upon her forehead, and was about to carry her into the bedroom… Just then, however, his phone emitted a tone. He reached over to the table to see what it was about. Stacy looked too, and read a message from someone named Charlotte. [I'm just coming out of the airport now, but I can't find a taxi in all this rain! What should I do?] Once he'd read that message, Joseph immediately set Stacy down on the sofa instead, then straightened up. "There's something I need to go handle. Get some rest. Don't wait up." He'd closed the door behind himself almost before he'd even finished speaking. Eyes watering faintly, Stacy quietly retreated into her room. She blew her hair dry, crawled between the sheets, and turned off the lights. In the darkness, she was tormented by memories of all the times she'd shared with Joseph, these past several years. He'd bought her a necklace worth millions, and put it on for her with his own hands, while promising to buy her enough diamonds to last her a lifetime. To celebrate her birthday, he'd set off fireworks on the beach for three days and nights, non-stop. Cheerfully, he'd declared that everything he owned in this world was hers, without reservation. As a once-in-a-lifetime comet passed overhead, he'd made a wish to remain with her until the end of time, never leaving her side. She'd relived that cherished moment more times than she could count… but now, she knew that even then, it had been a lie. He'd always meant for this relationship with her to only be a temporary thing. Halfway through the night, Stacy developed a terrible fever, burning up even as she shook with violent chills that went all the way into her bones. By sunrise, the sheets were drenched with her sweat. Joseph came in and found her, flushed and shivering. Instantly, he was wide awake. Scooping her up in his arms, he hurried frantically to the hospital with her. As they stepped into the entrance hall, Stacy opened her eyes groggily, and grumbled, "Why bring me here?" "You're burning up. I've brought you here to see a doctor. You're not a little girl anymore, don't you even know how to take care of yourself?" Joseph's voice was laden with panic and anxiety. He carefully set her down in a chair, then hurried off to join the line at the counter… But then, he ran into Charlotte Lane. "Charlotte?" he exclaimed in surprise. "What are you doing here? I just sent you home!" The girl named Charlotte was clad in a petite white dress. She looked like an angelic figure, innocent and sweet. "I tried to cook something at home, but I ended up burning my hand, so I came here to get it looked at." She showed him how the back of her hand was lobster-red. Joseph's expression shifted dramatically, and his urgent concern for Stacy was instantly forgotten. Joseph accompanied Charlotte to take a number, consult with a doctor, and then pay for some ointment from the dispensary. The whole time, Stacy was the furthest thing from his mind. Stacy watched in silence as the couple walked off. It was unlikely that Joseph would be coming back for her. She chuckled wryly to herself, and then levered herself upright on wobbling legs, and moved to join the queue. The doctor prescribed her an IV drip bag, and instructed her to wait for three hours. However, exhausted from her sleepless night, Stacy dozed off. With no one paying attention to her, the drip bag emptied out completely, and then the intravenous needle started drawing her blood out instead, so that the drip bag soon contained a bloody mess. Finally, a nurse hurried over and shook her awake. "You came here alone? Is no one here with you? Your family? Maybe a boyfriend…?" Stacy stared at the deep purple bruise across her hand. "I have no family here in this city with me, and I… don't have a boyfriend." Right on cue, Joseph Dorne came striding up to her. "Stacy!" The nurse had just hooked her up to a fresh IV bag. Seeing him, she snapped, "Are you her boyfriend, then? Why weren't you here with her? She was losing blood over here, you know? Things could have gotten ugly!" Joseph wrapped both hands around Stacy's swollen hand. "I'm so sorry, I ran into a friend and got carried away chatting. Forgot about you for a moment, there. When I came back, you'd disappeared, and it took me a while to track you here." Stacy knew the truth of the matter, of course… but all she did was nod silently in response. Chapter 3 After her second drip bag had run its course, Joseph helped Stacy make her way out of the hospital, toward where he'd parked his car. Charlotte was there, waiting. The moment he saw her, Joseph immediately let go of Stacy. "Charlotte! You're still here?" Charlotte stared at the other woman for a moment, her smile faltering a little. "There was something else I needed to discuss with you, Joseph. But this is…?" Accustomed to keeping their relationship under wraps, Joseph smoothly replied, "This is my sister's best friend. She's fallen ill, so my sister asked me to bring her to a doctor." Hearing Joseph describe her in such terms, Stacy suddenly found it a little hard to breathe, as though something was constricting her throat. For years, she'd struggled to understand why their relationship had to be kept secret. At first, she'd assumed that Joseph was afraid of what Jeanne might say… but now she understood. The real secret was the one he'd been keeping from her, the one standing before them right now. Joseph didn't want Charlotte to find out. Stacy forced herself to smile, and weakly spoke up to say, "Hello, I'm Stacy Rivers." At this, Charlotte's smile brightened with more sincerity. She introduced herself, and then got straight to business. "My friends are throwing a party to welcome me back. Joseph, will you go with me? Stacy's welcome, too! The more the merrier! And I'm always happy to make new friends!" Stacy meant to turn her down, but Joseph answered first, agreeing to everything. The car door was opened for her. She had no choice but to get in. The whole ride, Joseph kept probing around for conversation topics, and Charlotte was happy to revisit her mutual past with him. "I see you've still got these strawberry candies in your car, Joseph! Remember that New Year's Day event, when I had to go on stage to perform on the piano, but I was absolutely trembling from stage fright? You asked me if there was anything that might help to calm my nerves, and I mentioned strawberry candy… then you ran outside, through the pouring rain, to buy some for me! After that, every time I saw you, you always had some more of that candy for me. "Oh, isn't this…? I sent you a photo once, to show you the super cute teddy bear that I'd found somewhere… and you bought the same thing, yourself? "Mmmm… Joseph, you smell good! It's that brand of men's fragrance I pointed out that time, isn't it? The one I described as 'wildly alluring!' And so you've been using it ever since!" In the backseat, Stacy listened in on all this in sullen silence. Apparently, Joseph was the sort of guy who made countless romantic gestures for the girl he liked, and never missed even the tiniest details. In the rearview mirror, she could see that his ears had gone red. Charlotte was bringing up stories from ages ago… did he still feel so strongly about those moments, even now? But then again, this was his first love, innocent and pure. They arrived at a pub, and Stacy found herself a hiding place in the corner. Meanwhile, Joseph took a seat beside Charlotte, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. He shrugged off his jacket and handed it to her, so she could use it as a lap blanket. Noticing this little gesture, everyone whooped and whistled. "It's been five years, man! Joseph still acts like Charlotte's boyfriend? Are the two of you just gonna drink out of the same glass, tonight? Hah!" "No one should be surprised, honestly! Joseph's still single, and he's a legal adult now! If Charlotte wills it, he'll drink this pub's entire stock all by himself, just to make her happy!" Joseph glanced toward Stacy. She appeared to be distracted, looking at her phone. Nevertheless, he felt the need to send her a message now. [They're just having a bit of fun, don't mind them. It's not like they know about us. I don't wanna start any drama when everyone's here for Charlotte tonight… but I'll find the right moment to announce our relationship to everyone next time.] Next time? There would be no next time. Soon, the drinking games began. Stacy lost the very first round, and the penalty was three glasses. Joseph wanted to help her with this, but no one would allow it. "Whoa, there! The rule is, you can't share someone's drinks unless you get their permission! Miss Rivers, you're a mature woman, no stranger to the real world… three cups is nothing for you, am I right?" 'Mature woman'… Stacy didn't like the undertone behind that. She couldn't bear to show any weakness, not now when she was just about to leave Joseph… and so she downed it all, ignoring how unwell she felt. Her reward was a round of applause and cheering. Charlotte lost the next round. She glanced briefly towards Joseph. Understanding what she'd meant by this, the drink was served to him, in her stead. Without hesitation, he drained the glass. Charlotte went on to lose several more rounds, and Joseph paid the price each time. Soon, he was staggering drunkenly toward the restroom. Ten minutes later, when he still hadn't returned yet, Stacy got up and left, and then found him at the staircase. The moment he caught sight of her, he yanked her into his arms, babbling senselessly. "Charlotte, I'm so glad you've come back to me at last, after all this time… I want to spend the rest of my life with you, making you happy… I swear you'll have nothing but the very best… that's why I've spent five years learning how to sweet-talk a woman, buy her gifts… I'm a good kisser, now! I'll be so good to you! I'll make you feel like the luckiest woman who ever lived! So, please… say you'll be mine, won't you? I really, really, really like you…" Every word cut deep into her heart, with a searing flash of agony. She gazed at him, unable to hide the pain and sorrow in her eyes. Bit her lip so hard that her teeth broke the skin, and her tongue tasted the sharp tang of blood. She asked, "Joseph… what exactly am I to you?" Chapter 4 The sound of Stacy's voice broke Joseph out of his drunken stupor. Opening his eyes to find her gazing at him with abject misery, he snapped right back to reality. Joseph was aware that he'd been babbling, but he couldn't quite recall the gist of it. At length, he said, "Stacy, I'm drunk. Nothing I just said really means anything, okay?" Someone was calling his name. Joseph kissed her several times, in the hope that it would console her, and then headed back to the party, staggering and stumbling the whole way. Stacy watched until he disappeared from view, then got up and entered the restroom, where she silently remained for a long while. Her legs were going numb when the sound of footsteps outside jolted her from her dazed reverie. She was about to push the cubicle door open, but then she heard her own name being mentioned. "Did that Stacy character just leave on her own? What's going on? Do you suppose she got jealous, seeing how Joseph was taking such good care of you?" "Who knows, who cares? I'm certain Joseph has zero interest in an old hag like her." There was something about Charlotte's disdainful tone of voice that caused Stacy's hands to curl up into fists. Not knowing she was listening in on them, the girls continued to gossip viciously about her. "I've heard that she's not merely his sister's best friend, she's in fact been his woman these past several years! Worry not though, Charlotte. Apparently, Joseph was only using her for practice. She's his plaything, nothing more… but still, it's unbelievable how shameless she is! Talk about trying to score beyond your own league!" "I'm not worried. One time, in order to protect me from some thug, Joseph actually took a knife for me. He nearly died! But when he came to, the first thing he did was try to make me feel better. "That boy is absolutely devoted to me. He loves me more than life itself! There's no way some shrivelled-up prune past her sell-by date has any chance of coming between us." "Then how are you going to play this? You ought to know that, after Joseph fetched you home from the airport last night, he immediately got his boys together to plan your next birthday party. What if he's planning to confess to you during that party? Will you say yes?" Charlotte harrumphed haughtily. "If he can persuade me." There was the rush of running tap water, and then the sound of the girls' merry chatter grew distant. Stacy looked down at how her fingernails had dug deep marks in her palms. Her lips curled up into the most hideous leer. She made her way outside, hailed a cab back to her place, slept until morning, and then submitted her notice of resignation at work. Her supervisor read through her letter, then remarked, "You're going home to your parents? But didn't you say something about getting married to your boyfriend and settling down here? Why the sudden change of heart?" Eyes downcast, Stacy replied with some random excuse, her thoughts in a jumble. In her mind, she continued to drift through all the time she'd spent in this city of Balmora: Four years of university… three years of work… Five years in love. There had been countless opportunities to return home to Safeport. Each time, she'd opted to remain here with Joseph, instead. At last, it was finally time to go. The original girlfriend had arrived to reclaim her rightful title. For the next three days, she heard nothing from Joseph. However, photos and videos on social media revealed that he was spending lots of time with Charlotte. Here, they were at some church, exchanging tokens of good fortune. There, they were strolling along a tranquil beach, side-by-side. In yet another scene, they were on a roller-coaster, holding hands in exhilarated terror. With each photo, the couple seemed to grow ever closer. Not quite as intimate as lovers yet, but there was certainly something more than friendship there… Stacy finished flipping through those photos, then put her phone away, her features impassive as stone. She got her luggage ready. She packed some basic essentials, then decided to step out for dinner. Just then, one of Joseph's friends called her: "Ms. Rivers, please come to the hospital! Joseph's been in an accident!" Stacy hesitated for a long moment. Then she reached for her car keys. If nothing else, Joseph was her best friend's brother. While Jeanne was out vacationing overseas, Stacy was obligated to watch over him. She arrived at the emergency room to see Joseph and Charlotte lying in stretchers, covered in their own blood, while hospital staff fought to preserve their lives. The mutual friends of the couple watched on in a daze. When Stacy approached them, they recounted to her the tragedy of the night, tripping over their own tongues as they did so. "We'd planned to watch the sunset from a summit. Charlotte said that she missed driving, so Joseph let her take the wheel… but she sped too fast, then braked too suddenly… she lost control of the car, and it rammed into the mountainside. They've both been pierced through with a steel bar, and now the doctors are working on getting it out!" "The problem is that it's lodged very close to both their hearts! There's only one doctor in the city who can pull off this kind of surgery. Even with all the money in the world, you couldn't find another guy in time!" "Joseph was in the passenger seat, so his injuries are worse than Charlotte's! We've all told him that he needs to be the first one into the surgery room, but he simply won't listen! Stacy, you've gotta convince him!" Stacy's heart was in her throat as she turned back around and went over to Joseph. His face was pale, and blood still oozed from his gaping wounds. Her voice shook as she declared, "Joseph Dorne, you're going for surgery this instant!" His eyes flickered open, and he faintly shook his head. A hoarse whisper rasped from his throat. "Charlotte first… save Charlotte first! She's in danger, I can't…" That was the point where Stacy's emotions took over. "Are you crazy?! Her condition is stable, she can wait! But whether or not you'll allow the doctors to operate on you immediately is a matter of life and death! If you die here tonight, what's going to become of your parents? How will I tell your sister?" "My life doesn't matter. Only Charlotte's. I can hold on…" More lights came on in the emergency ward, as a nurse approached them with a consent form to delay medical treatment. As everybody around him hesitated, Joseph summoned a heroic effort, and signed the form with his own hand. Charlotte had been right—he did love her, more than life itself. Stacy reached out to snatch away that accursed document, but Joseph caught hold of her sleeve with one bloodstained hand. "You are not family to me. You have no right to interfere." Chapter 5 At these words, Stacy felt something shatter inside her soul. Her heart was seized in an excruciating vice-grip, so that each breath she took was a painful ordeal. Charlotte was rushed into the operating theater. Joseph's eyes closed slowly, and his hand fell limply away from her. The heart rate monitor emitted an urgent squeal. His friends were losing their minds from panic, begging and pleading for her to think of something. Stacy rallied herself and called up an old friend from back in Safeport, whose uncle used to be a hospital director here in Balmora, although he'd retired long ago. Once Stacy had outlined the situation, her friend urged her to have Joseph sent to another hospital, where she'd persuade her uncle to come out of retirement for his sake. The hospital staff flew into action, loading Joseph back onboard the ambulance, even as they fought to keep him alive. Ten minutes later, Joseph was being wheeled into a different operating theater. Stacy waited outside. She waited the whole night. Her mind was blank. She chewed her lower lip into a blotchy mess. At daybreak, the doors to the operating theater were finally opened. "The surgery has been a resounding success." Hearing the good news from the surgeon, Stacy suddenly felt all the strength leaving her body. She exhaled heavily, her legs gave out beneath her, and she fainted dead away. The next day, Stacy awoke at noon to see a nurse pulling a needle out of her. "Relax, your boyfriend's operation was a complete success! He's already come out of the ICU." Soothing the needle wound with a hand, Stacy found out which hospital room Joseph was in, and then clambered weakly out of bed. Arriving outside the specified hospital room, she heard a commotion coming from within: "Joseph, we've just told you that Charlotte is fine! Why do you need to be transferred to the hospital where she is? You've only just taken a step back from death's door. You're still not that far away!" "That's right! Do you have any idea how many phone calls Stacy had to make last night, in order to save your miserable life? Quit being such a nuisance, alright? Charlotte is in better shape than you. She's fine, and she will still be fine several days from now!" Besieged on all sides by friends who obviously only had his best interests at heart, Joseph nonetheless insisted, "No, I tried to protect her when we crashed, but she was still badly hurt. I need to see her with my own eyes… I have to!" Stacy listened to all this through the closed door, and then proceeded inside. As one, everyone turned to look at her. Joseph's resolve flagged for a moment, his face a portrait of confused emotions. Before he could figure out which way to steer this dialogue, Stacy seized the initiative first. "I know I'm not your family, so it's not my place to make this decision for you. If your heart is set on being transferred elsewhere, I'll put a call through to your sister, and she should be able to make it back here before evening. Just wait a few more hours, okay?" Stacy said all this calmly, maintaining an even tone. However, Joseph was deeply troubled by her words. He shooed everyone else out of the room, and then took her hand in both of his, struggling to find the right words. "I was the one who let Charlotte drive my car. That makes all this my fault. That's why I insisted on saving her life before my own. The truth is that you're as close to my heart as my own sister, or anyone else in my life. I didn't mean for those words to hurt you…" Stacy could no longer tell the truth from the lies. However, if Joseph held her in equal standing to his own sister… What of Charlotte? Who was she to him, in the grand scheme of things? Instead of asking so directly, Stacy took a more roundabout tack. "Joseph, do you wish to go on living? Don't you think life is a valuable thing?" Not knowing why she would suddenly ask such a question, Joseph nodded with uncertainty. "Of course…" Chapter 6 So… Joseph valued Charlotte's life over his own. Stacy had gotten the answer she wanted. She withdrew her hand, swallowed the anguished protests she yearned to make, and forced a smile for him. "Fine, transfer yourself over there, if that's what you want. However, I'll have to let your sister know about all this, in case anything goes wrong along the way." Then she turned sharply on her heel, and strode out of the room. Just before the door closed shut behind her, she heard Joseph speak up, his tone anxious. "I won't transfer, then! Stacy, please don't tell my sister! She can't find out!" What exactly was it he didn't want Jeanne finding out about? That he'd gotten hurt? Or that he'd been dating her best friend behind her back? Stacy didn't know the answer to this question, and she honestly couldn't be bothered to care anymore. Ultimately, she decided not to inform Jeanne. Her best friend was having a good time on vacation. No reason to ruin her mood. She found two of the hospital's staff, and made arrangements for Joseph's stay. When they served food to her own room there, they would often make some sort of report to her as well. "Ms. Rivers, Mr. Dorne has been asking about you again. In particular, he's wondering if you're upset with him." Stacy merely grunted in response. After lunch, she visited Joseph's room. He wasn't there. The staff were just finishing up with the cleaning. Seeing her, they said, "Mr. Dorne has applied to be transferred over to Southpoint Hospital." He'd flown the coop. Stacy allowed herself a wry little smile. She unlocked her phone, and scrolled through the messages Joseph had been sending her these past few days. [Stacy, I'm bored… come over here and hang out with me.] [It's been three days since we last spoke… Don't you miss me?] [Please forgive me. I'll buy you something nice, once we're out of here. How's that sound?] If she didn't know about Charlotte, it would have been easy for Stacy to believe that this boy was head-over-heels for her. However, having now seen what he was like when he really loved a girl, she no longer bought into such delusions. Returning to her place on her own, she contacted an agent, and put her condominium apartment up for sale online. Over the next few days, half-a-dozen prospective buyers came by to inspect the premises. Eager to complete the sale sooner rather than later, she'd offered it up at quite a bargain. Sure enough, it didn't take long at all to secure a deal. Just as Stacy was signing off on the agreement, Joseph walked in. Surprised, he noted the company uniform worn by the real estate agent. "Stacy, you're selling this place off?" No point lying about it now. She nodded affirmatively. He cocked an eyebrow, and then surveyed the room nonchalantly. "Yeah… this place has been feeling kinda cramped. You could move into my villa, in West Hills. I've had it for a while now, but it's mostly been left vacant." Stacy didn't answer. Instead, she saw the agent out the door, and then changed the topic. "Are you feeling better these days?" "Much better!" Joseph trilled cheerfully. "See, I knew you cared!" He strode up to her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and leaned in for a kiss. His breath was hot, like the blast from a furnace. Stacy dodged aside reflexively. Joseph stared at her, puzzled. Keeping a straight face, she fibbed, "I'm on my period." Joseph sighed faintly. "Stacy, it's not always like that… we haven't seen each other in a while. Is it so hard to believe that I just miss you? Just want to kiss you?" Indeed, Stacy found that hard to believe. She no longer had the patience to put up with his endless theatrics. Muttering various excuses, she went to wash up and go to bed. The next couple of days, Joseph didn't leave. Stacy brought out a box, containing all the mementos collected over the years they'd been together. Matching mugs, a shaving razor she'd bought for him, gifts he'd given to her, couple of selfies, miscellaneous trinkets… She gathered them all up, every single item, and stuffed them all into a rubbish bag. Joseph emerged from the study, noticed how bare the whole house suddenly felt, and began to get nervous. "Why are you throwing this all away?" "Didn't you say something about moving to your spare villa? I'm just cleaning up some odds and ends." This explanation allayed his doubts somewhat, but he nevertheless detected that she was in a peculiar sort of mood. That evening, he managed to convince her to accompany him to some sort of auction. The first several pieces were jewelry, and Joseph bought them all without a moment's hesitation. Stacy received envious looks from all across the hall… but she wasn't the least bit interested in any of it. As he was getting up from his seat, Joseph's phone rang. Stacy glanced at the screen. It was Charlotte. Without a word, she headed off to the restroom. Chapter 7 When Stacy returned, she was shocked to find the auction hall in total uproar, people shrieking and running for their lives. Pushing against the flow of the crowd, she made her way back to where Joseph was, and spotted him attacking another man, livid with rage. The other man's face was already badly bruised and swollen, yet he continued to bellow some sort of manic tirade. "That chick you were just talking to on the phone? A couple of years ago, when I was in university, she was a regular in my bed! She's the campus bicycle, everyone's taken her for a ride, and foreigners are her type! Killing me won't change the truth! I've got a bunch of her photos right here on my phone! Hey, you wanna watch a video together?!" With a shaking hand, the heckler offered up his phone. Joseph's face flushed bright red, veins throbbing in his forehead. He reached out hesitantly for the truth… but then, Charlotte came running in, screaming his name, "Joseph!" Joseph turned to her, his eyes brimming with conflicting emotions. Unconcealed shock, disbelieving reluctance, fathomless confusion, excruciating agony… His opponent caught sight of Charlotte as well, and became greatly agitated. "That's her! Here, take it! There's an album under her name, the password is her birthday… you'll see I'm not lying! She's a total freak in the sack! Definitely nothing like the pure, innocent angel she pretends to be!" Charlotte saw who was saying these things about her, and the color drained from her face. She rushed forward and flung herself onto Joseph, talking frantically. "It's not like that, Joseph! I was forced into doing those things! He was chasing me so desperately, so I took pity and went out on one date with him, but then he slipped something into my drink!" "I could swear you were the one who was desperately coming on to me! Just look at how much fun you're having here, in this shot… nobody forced you to do any of that!" That was more than Joseph would allow. He began attacking the man with everything within reach: chairs, wine bottles… Broken glass cut deep into the man's eye. Blood came spurting out. He rolled around on the floor, clutching his mangled face and howling in pain. Joseph swept Charlotte into his arms, laying a hand protectively over her eyes. "It's alright, Charlotte. I'll handle this. Don't worry. I won't let any of this get around." Saying so, he hurled the man's smartphone onto the ground, crushed it into smithereens, then doused it with whiskey, and lit the whole mess on fire. The flames licked high into the air. All the memory chips inside that phone would be scorched beyond salvaging. Standing not far off, Stacy watched the way Joseph pampered and consoled Charlotte, "I promise you, Charlotte, this scoundrel will be put behind bars. Pretend it was all just a bad dream. I swear I'll never let this kind of filth come near you, ever again." Charlotte clung to him tight, tears streaming down her face. "Joseph, do you really mean all that? You don't think I'm… disgusting?" Carefully, Joseph wiped her tears away, while holding back his own. "Perish the thought. In my eyes, you'll always be perfect. In my heart, you'll always be my angel." And with that, he swept her off her feet, and carried her away from this scene of misery. Soundlessly, Stacy laughed at the comedy that was life. She went over to retrieve her handbag from her seat. Several event staff were cowering nearby, and they hissed urgently at her now, "Ma'am, Mr. Dorne has yet to collect all the jewelry he bought for you!" She turned to them, meaning to decline, but then Joseph's former adversary suddenly leapt to his feet, battered and bloody. Snatching up a bottle of champagne, he smashed it against the back of Stacy's head. "Damn him! He's going to ruin my life, on the word of that witch?!" the man snarled, full of hatred and fury. "Here's another one of your precious pets, eh? Well, say goodbye to her!" Hot blood flowed down her neck, rapidly staining her white dress crimson. Stacy toppled forwards onto the floor, her mind plunged into the darkness of a stormcloud, coursing with errant flashes of lightning. Her eyes stared forward at nothing. Her ears echoed with the vague sound of screams all around. "Help! Someone's been murdered!" "Mr. Dorne, it's your girlfriend!" In a fleeting moment of lucidity, Stacy caught sight of Joseph disappearing into the crowd, unheeding as he walked away, Charlotte safe within his arms. He never looked back, even once. Chapter 8 Stacy's last week in Balmora was spent in the hospital. The whole time, Joseph never contacted her even once. But on the day she was discharged from the hospital, Joseph somehow found out, and came hurrying over at last. Seeing her head all wrapped up with bandages, Joseph was visibly stricken with guilt and concern. "Stacy, I've been so preoccupied lately, I wasn't even aware you'd gotten hurt! What happened to you?!" "Some guy yelled something about vengeance, and whacked me with a glass bottle," Stacy answered vaguely. Who cared anymore, at this point? Joseph gaped at her, eyes alight with outrage. "Which hooligan dared to lay a hand on you? I'll kill him!" Stacy lowered her gaze, but decided to tell him after all, how he'd abandoned her and left her at the mercy of that bloodthirsty thug… Just then, however, Charlotte strode in. "Stacy, I heard that you were in the hospital again! Are you alright?" At the sight of her, Stacy changed her mind once again. "It's nothing. I've already been cleared to leave," she announced coldly. They exchanged a few more lines of polite courtesy, and then a nurse came out and called for her. In her stead, Joseph went off with the nurse to handle some minor formalities. Stacy checked that she had all her things with her. When she looked up again, she found herself looking into Charlotte's icy glare. "Well then, now that Joseph's gone, you can drop the pitiful act. Let's get something straight. Joseph's been in love with me forever, since we were in high school together. You'll never stand a chance against me, so you might as well just forget about him!" Stacy somehow found it easier to contend with Charlotte, now that she'd dropped her usual angelic facade. As serene as a moonlit pool on a quiet night, she replied, "I know. I know all that, already. I never planned to compete with you." "So you say… and yet, you're still hanging around him. You think you still have a chance to turn this all around in your favor. I know your sort, gold-diggers whose only value is a pretty face and an eager body. He probably got tired of you long before you even began to sag!" Coming under such vicious assault, Stacy frowned, and decided to return fire. "I've heard that you've slept around with plenty of guys at your university. You're no angel, yourself." At this, Charlotte's countenance became a nasty sight, indeed. "What's it to you?" "So it's true, then." Incensed, Charlotte slapped her hard across the face. "It's none of your damned business! You're better off worrying about finding an honest man to latch yourself on to! You're not getting any younger, and before much longer your womb will be all dried up, and you'll spend the rest of your days childless and alone!" Stacy exhaled sharply in pain. Her face stung. She reached up and felt the spot where she'd been slapped. Already, it was beginning to swell up. She wiggled her fingers idly for a moment… and then, with every ounce of strength she could muster, she slapped her rival right back. Charlotte wouldn't stand for this. She lunged forward and seized a fistful of Stacy's hair, just as a door was opened nearby. Joseph appeared. Immediately, Charlotte flung herself into his arms, tears welling up on command. "Joseph! Stacy told me some tale about being your lover in secret, and when I said I didn't believe her, she lost her temper and slapped me!" Sure enough, there was a visible handprint on the side of Charlotte's face. Joseph could feel his blood coming swiftly to a boil. He enveloped Charlotte in a protective embrace, then glared darkly at the other woman, behind her. "What's the matter with you, Stacy Rivers?!" he growled menacingly. In their five years together, it was the first time Joseph had ever raised his voice to her. All because of Charlotte. However, it was far from the first time Stacy had seen him placing Charlotte above all, so she didn't actually feel any disappointment, sorrow, or anger over this. Instead, with a frigid tone of voice, utterly devoid of any trace of emotion, she replied, "I hit her, as retaliation for her hitting me. An eye for an eye. Why didn't you try to find out the whole story beforehand?" It was only after she'd said this that Joseph noticed Stacy's face was swollen on one side. Realizing that he might be missing something, he was just about to ask… but then Charlotte passed out in his arms. Alarmed, he picked her up, and hurried to get help for her. He only paused long enough to say to Stacy, "You can head back first. We'll discuss this further next time." Stacy watched him hurry off down the hospital corridor, and chuckled wryly as she muttered beneath her breath, "There'll be no next time." She returned to her condominium apartment, and turned the key over to her agent. "I've left a bag inside. Could I trouble you to have it delivered to No. 4015, in West Hills? Payment on receipt, that's fine." The real estate agent observed the veritable fleet of luggage Stacy was herding about. "Are you leaving Balmora, Ms. Rivers? Do you suppose you'll be back someday?" "No, I'm leaving for good." There was nothing more for Stacy in this city. She gave the place one last, long look, then headed downstairs, and hailed a taxi to the airport. Before taking off, the stewardesses went up and down the aisles, reminding passengers to switch off their phones. Stacy sent a final message to Joseph. [I heard what everyone was talking about at that party.] [Hatred is born from affection, but I no longer hate you as much, these days. I suppose that means I don't love you anymore.] [We began this relationship without anyone knowing, so let's break up as well without any drama.] [I wish you every happiness in this world, with the true love of your life.] And then she deleted his number. She put her phone away, just as the plane began rumbling down the tarmac.