After Escaping From Wedding Night

Chapter 16: Being Dumped?

Ruth's angry shout, in the middle of the hotel foyer, attracted a lot of people. She had a voice that grated in your ears, which did not match her face and Jessica flinched as it resounded against her eardrums. Last time, Aaron had moved her mind off of Ruth's attack, but today he was not here to save her.

"Can you quiet down?" Jessica snarled as she started to walk into a secluded corner. Of course, Ruth followed, which was what Jessica wanted.

"Listen, b***h. You have some guts going after my husband!" Ruth continued yelling.

Jessica rolled her eyes; she knew Ruth was bluffing. Roger and she were not married yet.

"Why don't you tell your husband to stop? He's the one who is after me!" Jessica coyly replied.

"How f*****g dare you!" Ruth screeched. She leaped closer as Jessica backed up; Jessica did not want to fight Ruth in the middle of the hotel.   

Suddenly, a set of strong arms encircled her neck from behind. The man behind Jessica hugged her in his arms, pulling her towards his body. A familiar voice spoke up beside her ear.

"Don't touch her!" 

Jessica froze as she realized whose voice it was – Roger Richard. She looked around her to confirm; however, his familiar scent wrapped her body and told her what she was looking to confirm. Roger Richard had protected her – from his girlfriend. But why?

Ruth was just as much in shock as Jessica was. Her mouth was gaping open, and her eyes held a view of disbelief and anger.

"Ro…Roger…baby, what are you doing?" She spluttered out, half laughing in disbelief.

Roger stared back at Ruth while not letting go of Jessica. "Don't you dare touch her again."

"Wh…what!" Ruth gasped out in shock. "Why do you care about her?" Ruth accused now, glaring back at Roger in anger.  

Jessica almost felt sorry for Ruth. Beneath the anger, Jessica could see the heartbreak in her eyes. She really loved Roger, which was her downfall. This man was not capable of love. And sadly, Jessica knew she would be in the same situation.

"She's mine now." Roger simply replied. His tone presented finality even though this short statement changed two people's lives. For Ruth, the emotions of anger, disbelief, shock, disappointment, and heartbreak played on her face as if she could not decide what she wanted to do. She had supported Roger for years and had been there for him through hard times and this is how he responded.

"Roger…why?" She could only ask one word. "I…you…"

Roger replied firmly, "Ruth, you know as well as I do that, I never promised you anything."

Ruth looked at Roger with a betrayed look on her face. Her face was flushed in embarrassment that this was all happening in front of Jessica.

Roger looked away but did not release Jessica as tears started to slip down Ruth's face.

She quickly wiped them away and looked at Roger angrily. "You are going to get what's coming for you, Roger."

With that final statement, Ruth turned around and walked rapidly out of the hotel without a second glance.  

Jessica stood stock still in Roger's arms, still in disbelief over what had just happened. Did Roger dump his girlfriend for her? Could he really... no, Jessica. You know this man. He is not capable of feelings. There must be something else on his mind which he needed to do this for. Roger had a one-track mind, and right now, the only thing on his mind was revenge.

As if knowing what Jessica was thinking, Roger squeezed her shoulders almost painfully.

"Don't get too excited," he whispered in an amused tone. "I only did this so you can have the most miserable life." 

Jessica snorted, of course. What else could she expect from this man? If he said he would make sure she had a miserable life, then she would have a miserable life. She could stand Roger's insults and frame-ups, but she could not bear his help and warmth, which would give her an illusion, and it seemed like he was coming to realize it. Jessica squeezed her eyes and prayed, dear God, please let him treat her harshly. She could take all of that! But she could not take the playing of her feelings!   

She had imagined that maybe Roger was not so cruel. That maybe beneath all the coldness and ice, he was perhaps a good person. However, now she just felt ridiculous, sad, and even shameful for thinking that and to justify her having feelings for this man by telling herself that. She had even started to believe it.  

_______

The rainy days and the slight chill in the air seemed to match Jessica's mood. The sudden turn of the weather reminded her that the winder was coming. Though Jessica enjoyed the warm cozy nights, the oversized sweaters, and cuddling with her son, the greyness irritated her.  

She hiked up her bag further on her shoulder and got ready to run to the bus stop as she felt the first drop of rain on her skin. She was not looking forward to getting soaked today, but she did not want to spend money on a taxi.

"Hey, girl!" A loud voice broke her from her deep thoughts.

Jessica looked back to find Aaron, dressed in casual clothes and holding a big black umbrella, walking towards her.  

"Am I coming in time to save you?" He laughed as the rain started to pour.  

Jessica smiled and quickly got under his waiting umbrella, thanking God he had decided to come, "Yes."

Unbeknownst to both, a pair of eyes, narrowed into slits, was watching their every move. Roger was sitting in his car and watched how Jessica smiled widely. Her smile was one of happiness growing, much as a spring flower opens. It was genuine, and Roger had never seen her smile like that around him. And why would she? Remember, you are set on making her life miserable, a voice popped into his mind.

But who was that asshole? He had seen him before with her once; she seemed to be awfully close with him, Roger noticed, as she leaned into his side without reservation. Was he the father of her child? No, that would mean they would be living together, which they did not.

Roger needed to find out more about him. Quickly, taking out his phone, Roger dialed a trusted number.  

______

Carol was Jessica's mother, and she should know everything about her daughter, but she did not. Jessica had always been a quiet and secretive child, always wrapped up in her own world. She had played alone, studied alone, and had no friends, and Jessica was content with that.

Carol had no clue what had happened between her and Roger three years ago. And Jessica had never mentioned who Evan's father was. However, she could tell from his looks who the boy's father was.

So, when she read an article about Roger and Jessica, an article that seemed to bash her daughter, she was shocked.   

"Jessica, what happened between you and Roger?"

Jessica knew her mother was asking out of concern, but she could not explain more, so she simply shrugged her shoulders and replied, "Just like what it says."

"Jessica, is he your son's father?" Carol asked as she tentatively sat beside her daughter, ensuring her grandson was not around to hear this.

Jessica looked up at her mother with a tired look on her face. "How'd you guess?" She knew she could not hide from her mother anymore.

Carol laughed and looked at a picture of Evan that was upon the mantle before them. "One simply has to look at that boy's face to know who his father is."  

This was the thing that worried Jessica. If Roger found out about Evan, he would undoubtedly take Evan away from her without any concern. Even though he did not like children, he would do this to take revenge and hurt Jessica.

But Jessica would not let that happen. She would kill anyone who tried to take Evan from her, including Evan's father, Roger Richard.