There's No Turning Around in Love

Even after I sat down on the couch, my entire body was still trembling.

Samuel Larson seemed amused by my breakdown.

He shoved a crushed rose into my hand and patted my head like he was comforting a child.

"Do you remember the day of your father's funeral? Jessie and I were in the room next door. We went through an entire box of condoms.

"She was louder than your crying. It made the whole thing pretty exciting.

"I'd never met such a brazen woman in my life. She's completely different from you. That's when I started having feelings for her."

I heard a buzzing sound in my mind. My eyes went wide with disbelief.

That day, I had nearly passed out from grief in the funeral home.

When people helped me outside, Jessie's legs were shaking. She looked even weaker than I did.

Samuel stood beside me, watched her leave, and said softly, "She's your best friend. Your dad's death probably hit her hard too."

I believed him.

One was my closest friend, while the other was the man I loved most.

I never doubted either of them.

Their betrayal hurt me more than I could imagine.

The first time I caught them, I thought I could never forgive them. Then my mom became critically ill. I collapsed outside the operating room.

Samuel ran around frantically helping with everything, while Jessie held me and bawled her eyes out.

Maybe people gave in easily when they were feeling vulnerable.

Samuel seemed to read my thoughts and laughed.

"You really are soft-hearted, Regina. All I did was put on a little show beside your mother's hospital bed and send a few bouquets of flowers. That was enough for you to agree to remarry me.

"Do you know how hard Jessie laughed at the time?"

I clenched my fists tightly. He then continued, "By the way, Jessie thought your face was hilarious when you caught us together the first time.

"So she had me arrange for you to get a job at the county clerk's office. She wanted to see your expression once you discovered the marriage certificate was fake and realized you'd fallen for the same trick twice."

I froze.

When I finally came back to my senses, I realized I had already slapped him hard across the face.

I completely lost control. I grabbed everything within reach and hurled it at him. My entire body was shaking. "Why would you do this to me?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Samuel's face.

He wiped the corner of his mouth and suddenly laughed.

"So? Enjoying the show, my love?"

I stopped. Confused, I stared at him.

Then, without warning, his phone screen lit up. Jessie appeared on the screen and burst out laughing.

"You did great, honey. I'll let you be on top tonight."

I looked up in shock. I immediately felt light-headed.

"Jessie was dying to see you fall apart after learning the truth. She insisted I livestream it.

"If I said no, she'd keep throwing a fit. You know what she's like. She's like a spoiled brat, but I just can't do anything about it."

I could see his lips parting and closing, but the sound of his voice faded into a distant buzz. My vision turned dark.

I subconsciously grabbed the edge of the table to keep myself from falling.

Jessie leaned close to the camera and kissed Samuel through the screen. "Hurry home. I'll be waiting."

She then lifted her chin toward me. "Regina, you look even uglier crying now than you did the last time. I love it."

The screen went dark. Samuel acted as if nothing had happened.

He nonchalantly looked me up and down. Suddenly, he frowned and reached for my hand. "How did this happen?" he asked.