She looked at me with surprise and then a sly smirk, "You're Emily, right? John talks about you often."
Seeing Jessica, so similar to me yet different in demeanor and haircut, confirmed the rumors that went viral for the past sixteen years, which inevitably sank my heart. John had used me as a substitute for Jessica.
"Don’t get it wrong," she said. "My dog died during transport, and John, being the good guy he is, was helping me grieve here."
I replied coldly, "And how is that my concern?"
Despite my restraint, John acted as if I was attacking Jessica.
He stepped between us and said, "Emily, why are you always so confrontational?"
I used to defend myself, but now I had no energy left to fight.
Simply, I answered, "Yes. Are you killing me? If not, I'll leave."
As I began to walk away, John grabbed my wrist out of reflex. I pulled away sharply.
He looked confused, as if I was the one being unreasonable.
"Emily, why all the drama? Didn’t I give you the medication?"
My laughter was bitter, filled with pain, "The medication? The one dose I had to beg for on my knees? It wasn't enough for seven of us, John!"