[Music: 10 Summers By Ashley Singh]

I swiped through the pictures like a calendar of memories. It featured mostly me, Jacob, and Annabeth.

It was so radiant. The joy emitting from such happy moments was infectious, but suddenly, I’m immune.

The more I scrolled through the gallery, the more I witnessed how much Annabeth has always been... there.

She was caught in every frame and moment, even from afar, as if the universe personally fit her in.

It’d always made sense because she was my dearest sister, but now it was clear that I was the piece of the puzzle that never fitted.

I slowly shook my head, fighting tears. I don’t wanna believe that. I don’t. I don’t wanna believe that I never meant more to Jacob. When I told Annabeth about my feelings for him, she urged me to tell him but I never got the courage to. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

I chugged the entire glass before filling it to the brim with tequila again.

Those times, he’d smile at me and hold my hand, kiss my forehead tenderly, and always be there when I needed him.

Those unspoken sentiments shared between us, did I think it wrong the whole time? Was I so stupid that I didn’t catch a glimpse of his true feelings?

The glass was halfway to my lips when I paused.

My mind suddenly played everything... this time from a new perspective. It was like uncovering a lost secret that had been buried under my feet the whole time.

Maybe it wasn’t so much of a secret. My feelings were so strong that I must’ve shielded them away.

The way he looked at Annabeth when she wasn’t watching.

~

"Take a picture of me..." I said giggly. "Jacob?"

"Yeah?" he answered distractedly.

Puzzled, I turned my head to trace what held his attention to see Annabeth. My face lit up as I raised my hand and called for her.

"Beth!"

She joined us, and even though it was meant to be some time alone with Jacob, we spent it together.

~

His spirits lifted when she was nearby, and when she needed him, he was willing to drop everything and go to her.

~

"Hey, Jacob. The movie is about to start. Where are you?" I said, looking at a bodyguard I did not want watching me.

This night was for me, and Jacob’s not with that bald head over here.

"You should be here with me," I whined.

There were heavy breaths on the line, getting quicker by the second.

"Jacob?"

"I can’t make it," he forced out.

I blinked before smiling, thinking he was making some joke. "What do you mean you can’t make it?"

"Annabeth sprained her ankle."

"Is she okay?" I asked before narrowing my eyes in confusion. "She was fine when I left."

"She needs me, so let’s take a rain check."

"Are you forgetting something?" I teased. "You’re my bodyguard, not the other way around. So—"

"I’ll make it up to you. I promise."

He ended the call so abruptly that I was worried Annabeth must be in pain or something. So I tried calling her phone, but it didn’t go through.

The movie is starting already. I made all the plans, even rented out the whole theater for the night.

It’s okay. He’s just being there for Annabeth. I’m sure if I were in her place, he wouldn’t leave my side.

Having that thought in mind, I smiled.

~

I scoffed at that memory, shaking my head. That’s right... I always made assumptions because I truly believed Jacob’s heart was mine and no one else’s. I thought... yes... silly me thought he was simply being in good graces with Annabeth because of me.

I clung clung clung... until I very well became a leech.

My phone rang; it was my father calling. He never thought to contact me since the wedding dinner or check if I’m still breathing.

Nevertheless, I picked up the call, pressing the phone against my ear.

"Why do you insist on causing trouble?!" he barked through the line. "Do you want to ruin everything I have worked so hard for? You think only about yourself and never your family!"

"Hello father..." I said dryly.

"You met with Jacob..."

"How did you—"

"He came to me. Don’t forget he’s like a son I have never had. You’re lucky Don Salvero didn’t find out about this, because if he did, we’d have had our brains blown off. You’re his wife! Seeing other men is out of the question. Your loyalty is to your husband, no matter what. Do you understand me? Don’t you ever contact Jacob again."

"Is it true?" I asked in a mere whisper, feeling a strain tugging at my insides.

"What?!" he demanded, almost impatient, as if he wanted to end the call right there.

"Is it true that after Annabeth’s death, Jacob never wanted to stay?"

I heard a heavy sigh from his end, and I could already picture him rubbing his temples. "Did he tell you that? He shouldn’t have. That was between him and me."

Something twisted inside me, clenching my gut so tight I thought I’d give out right there.

Despite everything, I still wanted to believe otherwise, that Lisa forced Jacob to say those words to me.

"I made him stay because you were a wreck, and he was the only thing you needed to move on from your sister’s death. God help me, I could have married you off to him if I had to..."

I heard a squeeze. It was my grip compressing against my phone.

"Now tell me. Did you consummate your wedding night?" he switched the topic so fast I saw red.

"Well?"

I ended the call before he could say anything more. My phone rang again, repeatedly, and the more it did, the more infuriated I got until it went dead silent.

"Act as you were bought for, a thing that doesn’t matter to anyone. All alone... abandoned by family."

"An expensive property. Wear pretty clothes, do your nails, because that’s all you’re worth and will ever be. A. Lonely. Spoiled. Princess... who has tried so hard to be someone she’s not."

Lisa’s words cracked through my skull. Someone I’m not... yes... I tried to act as if I was okay with everything thrown at me, and in other words fuck it all. But the truth was... I’m not okay.

Annabeth is gone forever.

Jacob left me.

Father sold me.

That bitch Lisa was right, I was a lonely, sad, spoiled girl that no one wanted.

I poured more drink into the glass. As I gulped down everything, my head drew backwards a heavy burn in my throat, but I didn’t stop until I was sipping from an empty glass.

My eyes fluttered open, and immediately locked with a pair of green eyes staring down at me.