Page 30 of His Infatuated Wife

"If you want me to hear the words, I'll say it. I'm married."

She's about to laugh but stops when she realizes I'm serious.

"To the student?"

"Yes."

"Oh my God, Jacques." She stares at me in dismay. "Did you get her pregnant? Because if you did, then---"

"I married her because I wanted her, and now I have her."

It's both the lie and the truth, and I suddenly realize how fucking complicated my marriage is.

"You want her," Eva echoes.

"Yes."

"Oh, Jacques."

The way Eva says my name turns my blood cold.

"I have no doubt you want her. I dare say you've even convinced yourself you've fallen in love with her. But what about her, Jacques? What about her feelings?"

The pity in Eva's eyes makes me feel murderous and nauseous at the same time.

A part of me wants to tell her she's all wrong.

That she has no reason to feel pity for me because my marriage to Riri isn't real.

But then there's the other part of me...

The part of me that knows I'm just fucking lying to myself.

That from the very start I did have feelings for Riri.

And it's why the pity in Eva's gaze fucking stings.

The moment Eva places a hand over mine, my first instinct is to pull away.

"We've been friends our entire lives, Jacques."

But I don't.

"And you know who I am."

Even when I know someone in this restaurant can easily take photos of Eva holding my hand, I let it stay.

"I don't need your money. I don't need anything from you."

"I know."

"So please believe me when I say this. That girl is bad news, Jacques. I don't know what she's made you think, but I promise you she's lying. Because there's this thing I've never told you. And now I wish I did if only to prevent this."

Eva's grip on my hand tightens.

"You're aware of the male student who plays opposite her? His name is Broderick. Has she ever told you that they once hooked up in their first year?"

A sad smile touches her lips when all I can do is look at her.

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