“You’re not an outsider, you’ll never be an outsider. You’re my Paula.” He grabbed her hands and declared passionately, “If anyone dares to drive you out, they’ll have to go through me first!”
Paula’s eyes filled with tears. “Do you really mean that?”
“Of course.” Without hesitation, he pulled her into a tight embrace, gently wiping the tears from her cheeks like she was a fragile doll.
They acted as if I didn’t exist, but I couldn’t care less. I had plans of my own.
***
That night, Jason announced that I would sleep in the guest room. His excuse?
“Paula isn’t used to sleeping here.”
I watched him eagerly usher Paula toward the master bedroom and casually asked, “So, you’re sleeping with her now?”
He flinched, as though caught red-handed. “Of course not. Paula is just afraid of being alone at night, so I’ll keep her company. I’ll sleep on the floor—don’t get the wrong idea.”
I didn’t reply. But later that night, through the thin walls, I heard the unmistakable sounds of suppressed moans and the bedframe rattling violently.
The next morning, Jason emerged from the room looking refreshed and satisfied, while Paula clung to his arm, her face flushed with shy delight.