34. （CARE）ssing
VERENA
34
It had been days since the car incident.
I was such a fucking coward, hiding from Jae. Running away because I didn’t want to talk about what happened during our fake…or maybe not fake…date. It was easy when he went to work.
But at night, I had to use Mina the cat as a shield, his sneezes and red eyes keeping him away.
I couldn’t avoid him forever, though.
Every evening was the same routine. Jae would return from work, his presence filling the apartment with a tension that made the air feel thicker. I’d retreat to the guest room, Mina curled up in my lap, her purring a comforting contrast to the turmoil inside me. I’d hear Jae’s muffled curses whenever he came near, his allergic reactions to Mina providing a temporary barrier.
But I couldn’t avoid him forever. We had appearances to keep up.
Visiting Mom was always an event, but today felt like a spectacle. Jae and I walked up the front steps, hand in hand for the sake of our charade, but the warmth of his grip felt too real. I tried to ignore it as we stepped inside.
Things had been weird since our date night. I didn’t know where we stood—what was fake, what wasn’t—and I wasn’t ready to ask him what we were. How did you define this sort of relationship? Jae didn’t seem in any hurry to define it either. Plus, it felt wrong to pressure him into answering when Auntie was so sick.
They’d been spending more time together, which made me happy. She came over for dinner, or he left work early to take her to the park. It was sweet, and the fact that he was relinquishing control at work to prioritize her and…well…me…was a shock. But I couldn’t dwell on that now. I had to focus on today.
The smell of freshly baked cookies hit me first. Laura and Luke were in the kitchen, flour on their hands, laughing as they tried to outdo each other with the cookie shapes. Auntie was there too, but her persistent cough cut through the hilarity, a harsh reminder of why we were all gathered here.
Mom’s eyes were on Auntie, a worried crease between her brows. “Auntie, you need to check your oxygen levels,” she said gently but firmly.
Auntie waved her off, smiling. “I’m fine, Jennifer. Just a little winded from all the baking.”
“You didn’t tell me Luke would be here,” Jae grumbled, his jaw tightening, the veins in his neck pulsing with barely concealed irritation.
I rolled my eyes. Jae always hated him, and I never understood why. “It’s not like it’s a big deal,” I replied, trying to keep my voice light. “He’s just a friend.”
Jae’s eyes narrowed as he watched Luke laughing with Laura and Auntie. “Yeah, just a friend who wants to fuck you.”
I sighed, nudging him playfully, though my heart raced at the possessive edge in his voice. “Jealous much?”
Jae’s gaze flicked to mine, a flicker of something intense in his eyes that made my breath catch. “I’m not jealous. Just…cautious.”
“Cautious?” I raised an eyebrow. “Of what? Luke’s cookie-baking skills?”
His lips twitched, but he didn’t smile. The tension in his jaw remained, his eyes dark with a mixture of protectiveness and frustration. “Of how he looks at you.”
“Oh, please.” I waved off his comment, though a small thrill ran through me at the thought of Jae being jealous. “We’re here for Auntie, remember? Not to start a war with Luke.”
Jae’s grip on my hand tightened, pulling me closer until our bodies were nearly touching. The proximity made my heart pound, and I could feel the heat of his breath against my ear as he whispered, “Just remember why we’re here. And that I’m not going anywhere.”
I glanced at Luke, who was now shaping cookies with Laura, oblivious to the tension between Jae and me. “You’re being ridiculous,” I whispered back, though my voice lacked conviction.
“Am I?” Jae’s eyes bored into mine. “Maybe I just know how guys like Luke think.”
“And how’s that?” I shot back, trying to keep my tone light, but failing miserably.
“They see something they want, and they won’t stop until they get it,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “But I won’t let that happen. Not with you.”
I swallowed hard, the intensity of his words leaving me momentarily speechless. Before I could respond, Auntie’s cough broke through the moment, reminding us of the real reason we were here.
Jae released my hand, his gaze softening as he looked at Auntie. “Let’s enjoy our evening,” he said, his tone gentler but still firm. “We can deal with everything else later.”
As if on cue, Luke looked up and spotted us. “Hey, Verena! Jae! Come join us!”
“Great,” he muttered.
We walked over to the kitchen, where Luke immediately stepped closer to me, his eyes lighting up. “Verena, you look amazing! How have you been?”
“Thanks, Luke,” I replied, feeling Jae’s eyes boring into the side of my head. “I’ve been good. Just busy with…everything.”
Luke leaned in a little closer, his smile widening. “Well, you look fantastic. I read the first chapter of your book, by the way. I know you aren’t sure what to write, but it’s a great start.”
Jae’s head whipped around so fast I thought he might get whiplash. “What book?”
I hesitated. “I decided to try writing again.”
Luke jumped in, clearly enjoying the moment. “Oh, you didn’t know? She asked me to read it and give some feedback.”
Jae’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing. “No, she didn’t tell me. Why am I not reading it?”
Luke smirked, sensing the tension. “Uh-oh, trouble in paradise?”
Jae’s eyes flashed with irritation, a muscle twitching in his jaw. “No trouble. Just surprised I wasn’t included.”
I tried to defuse the situation, placing a hand on Jae’s arm. “I was going to tell you. I just…I didn’t want to distract you.”
Luke chuckled. “Well, it’s really good, Verena. You’ve got a gift.”
Jae’s grip on my hand loosened slightly, but his eyes remained locked on mine. “I would have liked to read it.”
“I’m sorry, Jae,” I said softly, feeling the sting of his disappointment. “I didn’t mean to exclude you.”
He took a deep breath, his expression softening just a bit, but the tension in his body was still evident. “It’s fine. But let me read it when we get home.”
“Okay,” I agreed, feeling a pang of guilt.
Luke leaned in even closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “You know, Verena, you really should have more confidence in yourself. You’re more talented than you realize.”
Jae’s eyes darkened, his hand tightening around mine once more. “I think she knows that, Luke. She doesn’t need you to tell her.”
Luke raised an eyebrow, his smirk never faltering. “Just trying to be supportive. Something a good friend does.”
Jae’s glare could have cut through steel. “Well, she has plenty of support from people who actually matter.”
Mom, sensing the tension, stepped in. “Verena, why don’t you help me with the cookies?”
I nodded, grateful for the distraction. As she and I moved to the counter, I could still feel Jae’s eyes on me, a storm of emotions swirling beneath the surface.
As we worked, Mom leaned in close. “Things are different between the two of you,” she murmured.
I blinked, caught off guard. “Oh?”
“I sense a disturbance in the force,” she said with a knowing look. “There’s…tension. Lingering looks.”
“Mom, I’m not talking about my sex life with you,” I hissed, trying to divert the conversation.
She gasped, her eyes widening. “So you’ve had sex with him?”
I hesitated. “No. Maybe.”
“Oh shit, you went and fell for your fake fiancé.”
“Say it a little louder, Mom, why don’t you?” I muttered, rolling my eyes.
“Well, he seems more human these days, and you’re happier. I could get on board, depending on if he treats you right.”
“You were anti-Jae, like, a week ago,” I pointed out.
“I’m allowed to reassess and reevaluate,” she replied. “Plus, Auntie keeps sharing all these cute stories about him.”
“Mom, what do you mean?” I asked, my curiosity piqued and my nerves on edge.
She glanced around, making sure no one was within earshot, then leaned in closer. “I had no idea how much he’s built up his business, or all the things he’s done for you over the years.”
“What are you talking about?” My stomach tightened with unease.
“Well, remember that contract error you made once? The one that lost millions?”
My stomach dropped, the memory flooding back. “Yeah, I came home crying because I messed up a contract, but Jae fixed it. What about it?”
Mom’s eyes softened. “I didn’t realize he paid for it with his own money.”
My heart skipped a beat. “He what?”
Mom nodded. “The board wanted to fire you, but Jae stepped in. He paid the penalty out of his own pocket to keep you on.”
I stood there, stunned. I didn’t realize he paid for it with his own money, either.
“Why didn’t he ever tell me?” I whispered, more to myself than to Mom.
She shrugged. “Maybe he didn’t want you to feel indebted to him. Or maybe he just cares about you more than you realize.”
I glanced over at Jae, who was arguing with Luke again. The way he spoke, the way he moved—it all seemed so different now. More meaningful. More…real.
My mind raced as I processed this new information. The Jae I knew was arrogant, domineering, and often infuriating, but this revelation painted him in a new light. He had protected me, sacrificed for me, without expecting anything in return.
“Mom, why didn’t you tell me this sooner?” I asked, my voice quivering slightly.
She sighed. “I only found out recently. Jae never wanted anyone to know. But I thought you deserved to know the truth.”
I tried to steady my swirling emotions. “Thank you.”
She gave me a reassuring smile. “Just remember, people often show their love in different ways. Sometimes, it’s the things they don’t say or do that speak the loudest.”
I nodded, my eyes drifting back to Jae. He caught my gaze and gave me a small, playful wink, completely oblivious to the emotional storm brewing inside me.
As I watched him, a flood of memories rushed through my mind—his support, the way he always seemed to be there when I needed him most. And now, this. A sacrifice I never knew he made.
I glanced over at the table where Auntie was watching Jae, who was now engaged in an arm-wrestling contest with Luke. Her smile was wide, eyes sparkling with amusement. It was a rare sight, one that filled me with warmth. But then, her expression changed.
A violent cough erupted from her chest, shaking her entire body. The force of it was terrifying. She tried to wave us off, insisting she was fine, but her body betrayed her. Her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed in a heap.
“Auntie!” I screamed, my voice breaking as I rushed to her side.
Jae was already there, his face pale with fear. He cradled her gently, his hands trembling. “Call an ambulance!” he shouted, his voice tight with panic.
Mom’s hands shook as she dialed. “We need an ambulance. Now!”
Laura and Luke hovered nearby, their faces mirrors of shock and horror.
The sound of Auntie’s labored breathing was the only thing I could hear. It was shallow, irregular, a horrifying reminder of her fragility. Her face was ashen, the life that usually lit up her eyes dimming.
“Auntie, stay with us,” Jae whispered, his voice breaking, the words a desperate plea.
I gripped her hand, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst from my chest.
My mother, a seasoned nurse, was the only calm one in the group, listening to her chest, checking her pulse, barking orders.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly. The seconds dragged on, each one an eternity as we waited for the paramedics. Every breath she took was a battle, and it tore at my heart to see her like this.
When the paramedics finally arrived, the room exploded into a flurry of activity. Urgent voices filled the air as they assessed her condition, their movements quick and precise. They lifted Auntie onto a stretcher, and the sight of her frail body lying there, so still, was more than I could bear.
We followed them out to the ambulance, every step burdensome with dread.
As the ambulance doors closed, sealing her away from us, I turned to Jae. Tears streamed down my face, my vision blurred by the sheer intensity of my emotions. “She has to be okay.”
Jae’s eyes were red-rimmed, his face etched with fear and helplessness. “She will be,” he said, his voice a hollow promise, as if he was trying to convince himself as much as me.
We stood there, watching as the ambulance sped away, the sirens wailing a mournful cry. It felt like a piece of our hearts had been ripped away, leaving a gaping wound in its place.
The world seemed to stand still as we stood there, united in our shared grief and desperation. And as the ambulance disappeared from sight, carrying Auntie away from us, the reality of our situation settled in.
She had to be okay. She just had to be.