Chapter 10
Shailey drove home at the fastest speed she had ever driven in her entire life.
As soon as she reached the entrance to her neighborhood, she spotted the delivery driver. However, there was nothing in his hands.
“Where’s my package?” Shailey grabbed him by the arm. “Didn’t you say Warren sent me a package?”
The startled delivery driver stammered, “M–Ms. Ralston? Your husband has already signed for it. I just handed it over to him.”
“I don’t have a husband!” Shalley said furiously.
“Huh? You don’t? But that gentleman said he was your husband…”
Shailey stormed into the villa. “Jacob Stratton! Where are you?”
In the bathroom, Jacob–flinched at her voice. In a panic, he threw the box he was holding into the toilet and frantically pressed the flush button. But before he could finish, the bathroom door flew open with a loud thud–Shailey had kicked it open.
She snatched the box from his hands and went through its contents in a frenzy.
It was filled with photographs from her teenage years to the present, when she had grown into a mature and alluring woman.
The photos showed her in her school uniform, sportswear, and business attire. Additionally there were also some photos of her in comfy home clothes.
Every angle of her had been captured–from the front, from the side, and even from the back.
Warren had taken all those photographs.
Shailey remembered posing for some of them, but many of these photos were ones she hadn’t even known existed. Warren had discreetly captured those moments with his camera..
Warren’s earlier photographs of her were amateurish snapshots. Later, his compositions showcased the masterful use of light and shadow. It was clear that Warren had honed his photography skills while capturing her through his lens.
Though his earlier photos had been less refined, they had nevertheless been captured with boundless love and adoration. That was why Shailey seemed to be glowing in all of those photographs.
Through the lens, Warren’s affection for her seemed to spill forth.
Later on, she matured into a graceful and captivating woman in his photographs. There were moments of her working diligently. Sometimes, they featured her eating her meal serenely.
But in every photo, she was always the main focus and subject.
Shailey flipped through the photos with trembling hands. As she looked through them, tears started streaming down her face. Then, she laughed through her tears as the realization struck
her.
Warren loved her. Through these photos, he was telling her that he had always loved her since he was young
When Shailey reached the last photo, she froze.
It was her wedding photo that was taken by Warren himself. She was wearing a white wedding gown, and her arm was linked with another man
Shailey felt a piercing pang in her heart as unbearable pain washed over her. She clutched her chest, and the photo slipped from her fingers.
She ignored the pain and reached for the photo again, only to notice the writing on the back.
It was Warren’s handwriting.
She picked it up and read it carefully.
“Shailey, perhaps from today onward, you have truly become my sister–in–law. Dear Sis–in- Law, I wish you happiness.”
At the sight of that line, Shailey felt as though a gaping hole had opened up in her heart, and a cold wind blew through it mercilessly.
She checked the back of every photo frantically.
“Shailey, I don’t think you know how beautiful you looked when you were picking out clothes
for me.”
“I love you, Shailey. Did you
know that?”
“I took another picture of you sneakily. Will you be mad at me when you see this? I just couldn’t help it. I wanted to capture every beautiful moment of you.”
“Shailey, will we be together someday? I’m starting to doubt it. Won’t you give me a definite answer?
“I didn’t write that love letter, Shailey. But you got so mad… Doesn’t that mean you care about me?”
“Shailey, do you love me or see me as nothing more than just a younger brother?”
“Shailey…”
The final photo was torn in half. Only her name remained on the back, and the rest of the message was missing.
Shailey grabbed Jacob’s wrist with such urgency that she looked like a madwoman. “Where’s the other half of this photo?”
“Shay, stop this. You’re scaring me…” Jacob pleaded.
“I’m asking you where is the other half? Answer me!” Shailey roared.
Jacob had had enough of Shailey’s frenzied behavior. He pointed at the toilet and said, “I tore it into pieces and flushed it! Ah-
Shailey shoved him away violently, and Jacob fell hard onto the floor.
“Shay…” Jacob trembled as he tried to explain. Warren harbored improper thoughts about you! And to think he even sent these photos to you! If someone leaked them to the media, your reputation would be ruined. I destroyed them for your sake!”
“Get out!” Shailey shouted indignantly.
“I’m your husband, Shay. Warren’s gone. From now on, I’ll be the one by your side. Ah!”
Jacob got up and tried to hug her. But this time. Shailey didn’t hold back. She shoved him to the floor again with even greater force.
Looking down at him, she pointed at him and warned, “Don’t make me repeat myself. Get out.
“Shay…” Jacob tried to appeal to her.
Shailey responded with a shrill scream. “I said get out!”
Jacob could tell that Shailey was on the brink of snapping and unleashing her scorching fury
Unwilling to give up, Jacob offered, “Why don’t I go to the kitchen and make you something to eat? You must be hungry. I’ll go-”
Enunciating each word with chilling clarity, Shailey cut him off and said through gritted teeth, “Get out of the house I share with Warren immediately!”
Chapter 11
