21. Chapter 20
B ack to the present
Jenna lay sprawled on the bed, staring at the ceiling, unblinking. The door creaked open, and she didn't need to turn her head to know it was Troy. She heard the quiet rustle of fabric as he loosened his tie, his movements measured, controlled.
"Was that necessary?"
Jenna turned sharply, her breath unsteady. "A spectacle? I endured their cutting remarks all night while you just stood there. I was suffocating, Troy. You let them treat me like I was nothing. Nothing has changed since we got married. It's the same story on repeat."
Troy exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples. "You have changed, Jenna. You're imagining things. They weren't trying to hurt you. It's just the way they are."
Jenna let out a sharp, incredulous laugh. "You think I'm imagining it? Troy, they barely acknowledge me unless it's to remind me I don't belong! And you let it happen. I am nothing more than a glorified servant "
His voice remained even, but a flicker of frustration crossed his face. "Jenna, you need to stop making everything about them versus you."
Her voice trembled now, a mix of anger and desperation. "And Lila? Is she just being polite too? Or does she get a free pass because she's 'poised' and fits into your world? "
Troy's expression hardened. "Lila is Mack's sister and an employee. That's all. Whatever you think is happening, it's in your head."
Jenna shook her head, her eyes dull with exhaustion. "Don't do that. Don't make me feel like I'm crazy for seeing what's right in front of me."
Troy's jaw clenched, his control slipping. "Then stop acting like a child, Jenna. You're twisting everything."
The words hit her like a slap. She stared at him, breathing unsteadily. Then, voice barely above a whisper, she said, "If you think I don't belong, then maybe you should go find someone who does."
Troy met her gaze, his own unreadable. A long silence stretched between them before he finally turned to leave. He paused at the door, hesitating. Then, almost as if speaking to himself, he muttered, "Maybe we both need to take a step back."
Jenna's breath caught, the words twisting in her mind as something far more sinister. The thought of him walking straight to Lila sent a cold chill through her.
Moments later, the front door clicked shut, and a little later the sound of his car faded into the night.
Jenna stood frozen, the stress of the evening pressing heavily on her.
Silent tears slid down her cheeks, soaking into the pillow.
She lay there, eyes open, staring at the dark ceiling, unable to stop the storm of emotions swirling inside her.
Sleep did not come until the first streaks of morning light crept through the curtains, when exhaustion finally overtook her.