Love in the 80s has no way back
Chapter 1
My high school graduation sucked. My fiancé, Jason, dumped me.
Then he married Sarah, my best friend who did get into college, and announced they’d already eloped.
Double whammy. I ran away to clear my head and got kidnapped.
Sarah’s stepbrother, David, spent everything he had to rescue me. Then he proposed to me, even though my hand was mangled.
David spoiled me rotten after we got married. Like, seriously spoiled.
Then, seven years later, I overheard his mom giving him a serious talking-to.
“You kidnapped Amy and broke her hand so Sarah could steal her college acceptance.”
“Then you married Amy to keep her quiet. You’ve done enough for Sarah.”
David’s voice was sad. “It’s not enough. Sarah deserves the best.”
I froze, eavesdropping from the other side of the door.
My rescue, my perfect marriage… all David’s twisted way of paying off his guilt.
…
1
I had the pregnancy test in my purse.
I was bringing dinner to David’s mom at the hospital and planned to tell him the good news.
Instead, he dropped a bomb on me.
Their voices drifted through the door, cold as ice.
The joy of knowing I was pregnant evaporated.
Before I could process it all, his mom kept talking.
“Sarah’s your sister, married or not!”
“When she gets back from Chicago, knock it off. If your stepdad finds out, he’ll kill you!”
“You need to focus on having a baby with Amy. That’s what matters.”
David didn’t answer. His mom coughed, clearly agitated.
Finally, he spoke, sounding resigned.
“I’ll do what I promised. Sarah’s just my sister.”
“But a baby… I’m not ready. We’ll talk later.”
Then his sister, Ashley, chimed in.
“Mom, leave him alone! Who wants a kid with a disabled mom?”
“I told him not to marry Amy! They’re a terrible match!”
David snapped, “Ashley! Don’t talk about your sister-in-law like that!”
Ashley shut up, scared of her brother.
Everyone in his family knew the truth. Except me.
Shaking with anger, I could barely hold the food container.
I heard footsteps and turned to leave.
I bumped into a nurse with a medicine cart.
Suddenly, strong arms caught me. David.
He checked me over anxiously.
“Amy, are you okay? It’s freezing. Why are you here?”
“I made Mom some soup. Just dropping it off.”
“Have the housekeeper do it next time. I don’t want you getting sick.”
He took the container and kissed my forehead.
Usually, his touch was loving. Now it felt fake.
David’s mom, seeing me, started her usual baby-pushing.
“Amy, when are you two going to have kids? I was your age when David was in elementary school.”
I ladled some soup, unsure if I should mention the pregnancy.
David cut me off. “Mom, stop bugging Amy.”
“We have our own plans. Cuddle with Sarah’s daughter if you want a baby fix.”
Sarah’s daughter, Chloe, was coming for Christmas.
David’s mom’s smile froze. She sipped the soup and didn’t reply.
I decided to keep the pregnancy to myself. I excused myself to the bathroom.
As I washed my hands, Ashley appeared, smirking.
“I saw someone lurking. Knew it was you, eavesdropping!”
“Now you know my brother doesn’t love you. Feel stupid?”
“Amy, if I were you, I’d get out of here!”
The cold water stung, but not as much as the truth.
2
I remembered David rescuing me, not caring about my hand.
Begging his mom to let him marry me.
Seven years of being pampered.
Him coming home for dinner, no matter how late he worked.
Putting the factory in my name. Not wanting kids because he didn’t want me to be in pain.
Everyone said he loved me. Said he was the best man in the world.
But he was in love with his “sister.”
I was living a lie, the family joke.
Ashley was still taunting me.
“Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear me?”
I flicked the water off my hands, ignoring her.
I’d made a decision. I was leaving David.
Infuriated by my silence, Ashley yelled, “Just wait! Sarah’s coming back, and my brother will kick you out!”
David was waiting outside to drive me home.
As we passed the mall, he said casually,
“Sarah and Chloe get back tomorrow. Let’s get her a welcome-home gift.”
His eyes shone with happiness. It was sickening.
Fighting back tears, I looked out the window and nodded.
He parked and took me straight to the jewelry store.
The saleswoman showed me a ring.
“This new couples’ design is perfect for you two!”
She reached for my hand, then saw my missing fingers.
Flustered, she stammered, “We have lovely necklaces too…”
I wasn’t interested. I shook my head and followed David.
He bumped into Mr. Fuller, the bank manager.
“David! Heard you stopped sending money to that Chicago account.”
“Is your sweetheart coming back? When can I meet her?”
Mr. Fuller’s jovial tone turned awkward when he noticed me.
He made an excuse and scurried away.
“My wife’s calling. See you later!”
David looked guilty. “Amy, don’t get the wrong idea.”
“My stepdad sends money to…Sarah. Just making sure she’s okay.”
“I know. I don’t mind.”
Relieved I wasn’t angry, he relaxed.
His assistant rushed over. Some clients had arrived.
David hurried me home and rushed back to the factory.
I told the housekeeper what to cook for dinner.
Before going upstairs, I grabbed David’s newspaper.
In his study, I noticed his locked drawer was slightly open.
Inside, neatly clipped newspaper articles. All of Sarah’s published academic work.
And money transfer receipts. David’s treasured collection.
My hands trembled as I flipped through them.
Starting at $520, increasing to $5,200, then tens of thousands.
David claimed he’d spent all his money rescuing me.
He’d sent it to Sarah.
While he worried about his sweetheart’s tuition, I ate ramen to save money.
Took on piecework despite my hand, to ease his burden.
Pawned my father’s jade pendant to help him start his business.
I read every receipt, my heart turning to ice.
3
Numb, I went to my room and called my mom.
Hearing my voice, she asked,
“Amy, what’s wrong? Is David giving you trouble?”
“If he is, tell me. I’ll come down there and deal with him!”
I pretended to be calm, but my voice cracked.
“Mom, I’m fine. Just miss you. Can you pick me up in a week?”
A week. Enough time to say goodbye to the last seven years.
Mom didn’t pry, just promised to be there.
I hung up and the front door opened.
David walked in, holding a little girl.
A familiar voice followed. “Amy, long time no see.”
Sarah. Wearing a dress from David’s factory.
She handed her purse to the housekeeper.
“Chloe, say hi to your aunt.”
Chloe mumbled, “Hi, Aunt Amy,” then turned back to David.
“Daddy, I’m hungry. Can we eat now?”
My breath caught.
David looked away, not correcting her.
Sarah fake-scolded Chloe.
“Honey, how many times? It’s Uncle David.”
“No! I want Uncle David to be my daddy.”
David soothed her with a look of pure adoration.
I laughed silently, too numb to argue.
“Hi, Chloe. Let’s eat.”
At dinner, David and Sarah flanked Chloe.
They looked like a happy family.
Chloe took a sip of chicken soup, then spat it out, spilling it everywhere.
“Careful!” David shielded them.
The soup splashed my hand, burning my skin.
“Spicy!” Chloe cried.
Sarah checked her tongue, then gave me a wounded look.
“Amy, do you not want us here?”
“If you’re unhappy, tell me. Don’t take it out on Chloe.”
David glared at me.
“Amy! Chloe can’t handle spice! Why did you add pepper?”
I stared at him, thinking how stupid I’d been.
I didn’t know about Chloe’s sensitivity, but David loved pepper in his soup.
He always added it. But, hey, his sweetheart’s daughter was more important.
My hand throbbed. I gasped.
David noticed and softened.
“Amy, I’ll take Chloe to the hospital. We’ll talk later.”
That night, David took Sarah and Chloe out to dinner.
He came back, put Chloe to bed, and finally remembered my burn.
He gently applied ointment, apologizing.
“Amy, I’m sorry I yelled. I didn’t mean it.”
“But Sarah’s my sister. Be nice to them while they’re here.”
Be nice to his lover. Right.
I nodded. “Okay.”
He smiled and hugged me.
His warm breath on my neck, I tested the waters.
“David, should we have a baby?”
It was the first time I’d suggested it. He sighed.
“Amy, can we wait? The factory’s growing. I don’t have time to focus on a baby right now.”
Not no time. No desire with me.
I mumbled something and went silent.
4
The next day, David left early, even though it was his day off.
The housekeeper said he’d taken Sarah and Chloe to tour the factory.
I told her I was visiting a friend and went to the clinic.
The doctor asked about the father. “He’s busy with work,” I said.
David didn’t want a baby. So there wouldn’t be one.
Half an hour later, the procedure was over. I was pale and shaky.
When the pain subsided, I made my way home.
David and Sarah weren’t back yet.
I packed everything he’d ever bought me.
The baby clothes his mom kept giving me.
I signed the divorce papers and put them on top.
Exhausted, I collapsed on the bed.
I woke to someone near me. David.
He touched my burning forehead, his face etched with worry.
“Amy, you’re burning up! Let’s go to the hospital.”
Normally, I’d have snuggled into him, seeking comfort.
But now, I smelled Sarah’s soap on him. I felt sick.
I turned away, burying myself in the blankets.
“I’m fine. Just a cold. No hospital.”
He didn’t notice my revulsion.
“Of course we need to go! I hate seeing you sick. Please?”
My head swam. I just wanted to sleep.
“I took some medicine. I’ll be fine after a nap.”
He didn’t push it, kissing my forehead.
“Okay, sleep tight. I’ll make you some seafood粥. Have it when you wake up.”
Thunder woke me. I called David’s name.
Over an hour had passed. No粥.
I put on a robe and went to check on him.
Moaning sounds came from the guest room.
I stopped at the door. Sarah, half-dressed, her back to me.
David held her close, comforting her.
“David, I’ve missed you so much. Did you miss me?”
He groaned, his eyes flushed with desire.
He kissed her. “Sarah, I missed you too.”
Tears streamed down my face. My chest ached.
I was in the house, and they couldn’t wait to jump into bed.
I grabbed my bags and left.
I found Mr. Jones, the mailman who delivered the college acceptance letter.
He remembered. “A letter from the University of Chicago? Of course I remember! Big deal.”
“The woman who signed had a scar on her forehead and part of her thumb missing.”
That was Sarah. Injuries from her time volunteering in rural America.
Mr. Jones still had the signed receipt. Sarah had forged my signature almost perfectly.
I offered to buy it. He just gave it to me, after I explained why I needed it.
I thanked him and made a copy. I mailed the original, along with a letter, to Sarah’s university.
I had a newsboy deliver the copy to David’s house.
Then I took my bags and boarded the train home.
…
That night, David stayed in Sarah’s room.
At dawn, he woke from a nightmare.
Remembering the unfinished粥, he planned to buy more seafood.
Amy could have it when she woke up. He’d check on her then.
The door burst open.
His mom, supported by the housekeeper, clutched a piece of paper.
“David! Amy… Amy knows about the acceptance letter!”
