Jealous

The ride to the boutique was quiet.

Jane sat still, her hands resting in her lap as she stared out the window. The city lights blurred into streaks of gold, but her mind was elsewhere. Paul drove behind Nick's car, his fingers tapping against the steering wheel. Every now and then, he glanced at Jane, sensing the storm brewing inside her.

When they arrived at the boutique, they were greeted warmly by a group of saleswomen who ushered them in with excitement. The air smelled of roses and fresh silk, and elegant white gowns lined the walls like delicate clouds waiting to be chosen.

Min Jin wasted no time. She glided across the showroom, plucking out the most extravagant dresses without hesitation. "Nick, what do you think of this one?" she asked, holding up a shimmering gown.

Nick barely glanced at it. "Sure, whatever you like," he murmured distractedly, his eyes flickering toward Jane instead.

Min Jin's grip tightened around the dress. She turned to him with a strained smile. Pay attention to me.

Meanwhile, Jane trailed her fingers along the fabric of the dresses before her. She loved them all but hesitated to voice her thoughts.

Paul, on the other hand, took his time inspecting the gowns. He ran his hand along the lace, studying each detail before finally selecting a few. "Jane," he called softly, holding up a dress. "I think this would look perfect on you."

Jane turned to him, admiring the gown—until her eyes landed on the price tag. Her stomach dropped.

"Paul, this is too expensive."

Nick's jaw clenched at her words.

Paul chuckled, stepping closer. He reached out, gently cupping her cheek. "You're going to be my bride, Jane. You deserve the best. Why does the price matter?"

That was the breaking point for Nick.

He abruptly turned back to the rack of gowns Min Jin had picked out, finally giving her his full attention. His fingers skimmed the dresses until he landed on one that was both daring and bold—backless with a thigh-high slit.

"This one," he said, handing it to Min Jin. "Try it on."

Min Jin's face lit up with excitement. She had finally won his attention.

Jane hesitated for a moment before selecting a gown of her own. Then, with their dresses in hand, both women disappeared behind the fitting room curtains.

Minutes later, the curtains were drawn open at the same time.

Nick and Paul sat side by side on a plush velvet sofa, their bodies tense, their rivalry unspoken yet deafening.

Paul's gaze landed on Jane first, and his breath hitched.

She looked breathtaking. The off-shoulder white gown hugged her frame gracefully, the small veil resting atop her head adding an ethereal touch. But what caught his attention most was the back—bare, delicate, perfect. As she stepped toward him, time slowed.

On the other side, Min Jin approached Nick, glowing with confidence. "So," she asked, twirling slightly, "what do you think?"

But Nick wasn't looking at her.

His gaze was locked on Jane.

Min Jin followed his line of sight, her stomach twisting in rage.

"Beautiful," Nick murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jane looked up at him then, their eyes meeting for a brief moment. A silent conversation passed between them—one filled with memories, longing, and wounds that hadn't fully healed.

Paul noticed.

His fists clenched, his jealousy simmering beneath his composed exterior. But before he could speak, Jane turned away from Nick, her smile reserved only for Paul.

"Paul, what do you think?" she asked sweetly.

Paul's heart stopped. Every time she said his name like that, his world tilted.

A single tear escaped his right eye before he quickly wiped it away. He swallowed hard and managed to say, "You are stunning."

Jane's smile widened.

Min Jin, watching the scene unfold, burned with frustration.

"But," Paul hesitated, studying the dress again, "you don't like revealing gowns. Are you sure about this one?"

Jane's eyes twinkled with something unreadable. "You like it," she said, "so I like it too."

Nick's grip on his knee tightened. He knew what she was doing. She's trying to get under my skin.

And it was working.

Without another word, Jane turned and disappeared back into the dressing room.

Min Jin followed, her heels clicking against the marble floor, her patience finally snapping.

Inside the fitting room, Jane reached for the zipper of her dress, ready to change, when Min Jin's voice cut through the air.

"You know," she began, her voice no longer sweet but sharp with irritation, "Nick mentioned you once or twice to me."

Jane turned slowly, meeting her gaze.

Min Jin crossed her arms. "He said he loved you… but you cheated on him. With his friend."

Jane's expression remained unreadable, but a flicker of pain flashed in her eyes.

Min Jin smirked. Good.

Silence stretched between them.

"If that's what he thinks," Jane finally said, her voice calm, "then I have no comments."

Min Jin scoffed.

She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "If you don't care about him, then stop seducing him."

Jane's eyebrows knitted together. "Excuse me?"

Min Jin sneered. "I see right through you. You think I don't notice what you're doing? Wearing that dress? Smiling at Paul? Acting all innocent while trying to get Nick's attention?"

Jane's lips parted slightly, but she remained silent.

Min Jin tilted her head, her voice dripping with venom. "Do you really think he'll fall for your little stunt? I've never seen a slut as shameless as you."

The room went still.

Jane's grip tightened around the fabric of her dress. A quiet storm brewed behind her eyes.

Min Jin smirked, confident she had won this round.

But Jane wasn't going to stay silent any longer.

Jane froze, her breath hitching in disbelief.

"Ms. Min Jin, what you're saying is completely inappropriate," she said, keeping her voice steady. "You were the one who invited us. I don't see how I did anything wrong."

Min Jin's eyes burned with fury. "Don't play dumb with me, bitch."

Jane's patience snapped. Her lips curled into a smirk. "It's not my fault that your soon-to-be husband only has eyes for me."

Min Jin's face darkened. "What?"

Jane tilted her head mockingly. "Tell me, Min Jin… do you even know if Nick noticed your dress?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "Oh wait—he didn't. Because he never looked at you."

Jane turned away, ready to change back into her clothes.

A sharp crack echoed through the fitting room.

Jane's head snapped to the side as Min Jin's slap sent her staggering backward.

The curtain to the fitting room flew open at that exact moment, revealing the shocking scene to everyone outside.

Nick and Paul both stood frozen in place, their eyes widening in disbelief as Jane lost her balance and fell to the floor with a heavy thud.

Pain shot up her arm as she landed awkwardly, her wrist twisting under the impact. A sharp gasp escaped her lips.

"Jane!"

Both men called out her name at the same time, rushing to her side.

Paul was the first to reach her. He crouched down and carefully lifted her into his arms, his expression dark with concern. Nick knelt beside them, his fingers gently brushing over the forming bruise on her wrist. His jaw tightened.

He turned his head sharply toward Min Jin, his voice low and dangerous.

"How dare you hit her?"

Min Jin crossed her arms, her lips trembling. "You're asking me why I hit her?" Her voice cracked, rage and hurt mixing together.

She turned on Nick. "Tell me, can you even remember which dress I picked?"

Silence.

Nick didn't answer.

Min Jin let out a bitter laugh. She wiped away an angry tear and scoffed. "You don't know, do you? Because you never looked."

Her voice rose, raw and desperate. "Do you still have feelings for her?" she demanded. "Did you forget what she did to you? She ran away, slept with your friend, and now she's marrying him—right in front of you! And you're still—"

"Enough."

Paul's voice was ice.

Min Jin flinched as he stepped forward, his entire body radiating pure fury. His hands clenched at his sides, his dark eyes burning with a deadly promise.

"Don't you dare speak another word about Jane," he said, his voice quiet yet lethal. "Or I swear, I'll rip your tongue out."

Min Jin stumbled back instinctively.

She looked between the two men—both of them standing protectively in front of Jane. The realization hit her like a slap to the face. No matter what she did, no matter how much she screamed or fought for his love, Nick's heart still didn't belong to her.

Whispers spread through the boutique. The saleswomen watched the scene unfold with barely concealed excitement, gossiping amongst themselves.

Paul had had enough.

He reached down, taking Jane's injured hand in his, his grip firm yet gentle. "Let's go."

Jane, still shaken, nodded silently.

Paul turned to leave, but then he stopped.

Without looking back, he spoke to Nick in a cold, cutting tone.

"You better learn to control your woman," he said, his words like steel. "Because if you don't… I'll teach her what happens when someone dares to insult my wife."

My wife.

The words sliced through Nick like a blade, cutting deeper than he was prepared for.

He stood there, watching as Paul led Jane away—his chest tightening, his hands curling into fists, his heart bleeding with a pain he couldn't even begin to name.

And for the first time, he realized—he was losing her.

Maybe he already had.

Paul stormed into the hospital, his jaw tight, his grip on Jane was firm.

Jane remained silent, knowing better than to speak when he was like this. His rage was a storm, and she had learned long ago—storms were best left to pass.

He carried her into the emergency room, holding her in his arms like she was made of glass. The nurses gasped, their eyes darting between the furious man and the woman in a bridal gown. The entire room went still, as if watching a scene from a stolen wedding.

The doctor hesitated before speaking. "Sir, please put her down."

Paul didn't move. "She fell. She twisted her wrist. Do something—now." His voice was sharp, commanding.

Jane, feeling the weight of a hundred stares, whispered, "Paul, put me down."

He finally looked at her, his stormy eyes locking onto hers.

"Go wait outside," she said gently.

Paul's fists clenched. He didn't like leaving her. But when she smiled—that smile—he exhaled sharply, nodded, and stepped out.

The doctor smirked. "You must be something special to tame a man like that."

Jane chuckled softly, exhaustion evident in her eyes.

After a quick examination, the doctor bandaged her wrist. "It's just a bruise. You'll be fine in a few days."

As Jane stepped out of the room, relief washing over her, she froze.

Nick was waiting.

Her heart stumbled over itself. "Nick?" She looked around, searching for Paul.

Nick scoffed, crossing his arms. "Afraid Paul will see us?"

Jane ignored his jab.

Nick stepped closer, taking her injured hand in his. His touch was warm, careful. "Does it hurt?" His voice was softer now, filled with something she refused to name.

She nodded, momentarily forgetting everything in his presence.

Then, without warning, he took her other hand and pulled her down the hallway into an empty room.

"Nick, what are you—"

He turned suddenly, closing the space between them. Before she could protest, his lips crashed against hers, stealing her breath.

Jane's eyes widened. She fought, pushing against his chest, but he held firm, his kiss desperate, like a man drowning.

After a moment, he pulled away, gasping.

Jane's palm met his cheek with a sting.

Nick's head snapped to the side. He blinked in disbelief, touching his jaw. "Did you just… slap me?"

"Yes." Her voice shook with anger.

"Why?"

Jane's eyes burned. "Who do you think you are, kissing me like that?"

Nick's lips curled into a faint smile. "You know exactly who I am."

Before she could protest, he leaned in again, pressing a soft kiss against her lips. This time, her breath hitched.

She raised her hand to slap him again, but he caught her wrist, holding her still.

His forehead rested against her shoulder, his breath warm against her skin. "I missed you," he whispered, voice breaking.

Jane stood frozen, her heart hammering.

For a second—just a second—she let herself feel it. The warmth, the ache, the longing.

Then reality slammed back.

She shoved him away, her hands shaking. "You don't get to say that."

Anger boiled over, and she started pounding her fists against his chest. "How dare you?!" she cried, her voice cracking.

Nick took every hit, his face unreadable.

Finally, her strength gave out. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the floor, sobbing.

Nick knelt beside her, his hands trembling as he cupped her face. "Jane, listen to me," he said urgently.

She turned away, but he caught her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.

"I don't have much time," he whispered. "I did what I had to do to keep you safe. Trust me."

Jane let out a bitter laugh. "Trust you?" Her voice was raw.

"I know you hate me," he admitted. "But I had a reason for everything I did."

He looked over his shoulder, paranoia flickering in his eyes. "It'll be over soon."

Her stomach twisted. "What are you talking about?"

Nick's hands tightened around hers.

His next words shattered the air.

"Paul has photos of you," he whispered. "Sleeping beside him. And a video."

Jane's blood ran cold.

Nick continued, his voice strained. "He threatened me with those pictures. He said if I didn't break up with you, he'd release them. I had no choice, Jane. I had to leave you."

Jane's body stiffened, horror sinking into her bones.

"He let you go the moment I promised to stay away." Nick's jaw clenched. "But don't worry. I won't let him control you anymore."

His eyes burned with determination.

"I have a plan."