Chapter 4: Pawns in a Bigger Game

Jinx silently stepped away towards the kitchen as Sandra left. He did not wish to be at the receiving end of Sarah’s anger. Tanya had followed Sandra outside while Sarah remained slumped on the couch. She was still in shock from recent revelations.

By the time Tanya returned, Sarah was already working on her laptop. She had pulled their bank statements and was sorting through the transactions.

Tanya stood behind her, peering over Sarah’s shoulder. Sarah groaned in frustration after she had checked everything.

“I don’t get it,” she said, confused. “No strange transactions. No suspicious withdrawals. All I can see is grocery expenses and utility payments.”

Tanya touched Sarah’s shoulder in support. “If we go by Sandra’s words, then it’s expected. Maybe we need to dig deeper to understand his goals.”

Sarah looked at Tanya and shook his head. “You don’t get it, Tanya. He had quit his job, but there are regular monthly deposits of a substantial sum. He continued with our planned investments, and there were no withdrawals. He has left me with generous cash and impressive savings.”

Tanya did not believe Mark had good intentions. “Don’t be fooled, Sarah. This could be one of his tricks.” She spoke.

Sarah recoiled as if she was slapped again. “What are you saying? That he did not love me?”

Tanya was surprised at the outburst. “What? No...” She held up her hands in a placated gesture. “Listen Sarah. You need to be practical.”

Sarah interrupted her. “You and your holier-than-thou attitude,” she seethed. “You won’t even consider his perspective because he lied? You have already assumed he is the bad guy, right? Have you ever considered that you alienate people in your life because of your attitude?”

Tanya was shocked. Sarah’s angry words hurt her deeper than she wanted to admit. “I can’t believe you’re saying these things,” she whispered hoarsely. “I was only trying to help you.”

“You just want to believe the worst because you are jealous of what I had with Mark.” Sarah’s voice rose to a shrill note. “You’ve always been the goodie-goody two shoes. Too afraid to be vulnerable. People are not perfect, Tanya. They have flaws and they make mistakes. You need to understand that you are alone because of your unrealistic high standards.”

Tanya looked at her, disbelieving. “What? I am jealous. For a man who doesn’t even exist? Who lied to you from day one?” She continued with a shake of her head. “Wake up, Sarah. You are deluding yourself.”

Sarah leaped up from her seat. There was fury and pain on her face. “Forget it. I don’t need your fat ass telling me how to live my life. Just leave me alone, Tanya. Go back to your sad and lonely life. Where people can’t make any mistakes, and no one feels any pain.”

Tanya stood up, her face red with anger. “Oh, so now it’s my fault. You always play the victim,” she looked away from her. “I may be fat, but at least I have integrity. What about you, Sarah?”

Jinx was listening to the commotion from the kitchen. The situation was getting out of hand fast. He had to step in. “Hey, ladies. Let’s all just calm down.”

Tanya brushed past him. She was already crying as she gathered her coat. “I never knew you resented me so much,” she sneered at Sarah. “Good luck with your perfect life and your perfect husband. Hope you’re happy.”

She flung out of the house, slamming the door behind her. Jinx hesitated between Sarah and Tanya. He wanted to support Sarah, but he could not let Tanya leave like that. Sarah needed her. So, he rushed behind Tanya to stop her.

Sarah collapsed onto the couch and hid her face in her hands. Her tears flowed freely. Deep down, she knew Tanya was right. She was right about everything. Including her resentment of Tanya. She had kept her feelings hidden for so many years until now.

She also knew it was time to accept her reality. Her marriage was based on secrets. Not only her secrets but Mark’s as well.

Jinx jogged up to Tanya just as she reached her car. He was huffing from the sprint.

“Tanya! Please wait,” he panted out. “I know Sarah was way out of line, but she didn’t mean it.”

Tanya turned to face him. She wiped her tears before speaking. “Jinx ... I am not needed here anymore.”

“You can’t give up on her,” Jinx said. He touched her arm gently. “She needs you, even if she won’t admit it.”

Tanya stepped away from him. “I appreciate your concern, but this isn’t your fight. You’re just a kid playing grown-up games.”

Jinx blinked, taken aback by her harsh words. “What? No, that’s not ... I care about Sarah!”

Tanya scoffed at him. “Right. How about you mind your own business?”

She slid into the driver’s seat and glanced back at Jinx. “And another thing. You are way too young for me. Find someone of your age to play these games with.”

Before Jinx could respond, Tanya sped off.

He stared after her car, trying to process what had just happened. “I don’t get it,” he muttered to himself. “She completely misread that situation.”

He liked older women. He also liked Tanya, but that was not the point. Her unexpected rejection filled him with determination. People always underestimated him, but he believed he was better. He vowed to make an older and wiser woman fall for him one day.

Jinx decided to stay outside a while longer. His mind was already churning with plans for the future.

Sarah curled up on the couch, holding a pillow to the chest as tears flowed down her cheeks. How had her life turned upside down so easily? Mark was her rock, her shelter from the storms of life, and now it turned out that he was nothing but a liar. He had his own hidden agenda while he acted his role.

But deep down, she knew that the love they had was real. The way Mark looked at her with those fiercely piercing blue eyes, his soft-spoken words, and tender touches, were heartfelt and natural. He had loved her; she knew it in her bones.

She recalled all those late-night conversations when she had come home so tired from work. He always listened to her without judgment, knew how to calm her, and set her mind at ease. He was the only one who appreciated who she was, all her flaws included.