Chapter 5. Dean's Brother

LENA

The pregnancy was killing me. My babies were only beginning to grow in my belly, but the nausea, the headaches, and the distress were terrible.

I have to admit, ever since I left the city, I felt sad and alone. I took the first plane I could find and didn't even say goodbye to my parents, as they clarified I wasn't welcome in their home. I think I wasn't welcome in my family anymore. I

n a matter of days, my life fell apart. When I arrived in California, I stayed in a cheap hotel until I could find a new apartment. The money Dean gave me wouldn't last a lifetime, so I had to find a job soon.

In my life, I have always had everything I wanted because my parents had given me everything. But when I married Dean, Mom and Dad thought it wasn't necessary to support me financially anymore since my husband took care of that.

I got up early in the morning, and despite my physical discomfort, I had breakfast and went out to look for a job. I had my resume in hand, but I wasn't sure if it was well-prepared since I had never made one before.

A week went by. I handed out as many resumes as I could, but no one had called to offer me a job yet. I was feeling nervous. I felt a pang in my belly. I sat down on the bed, waiting for the pain to subside. I was terrified. Every little ache I felt brought along pessimistic thoughts.

The second week passed, and I was still waiting for a callback from a potential employer, but I still hadn't secured a job. Being alone for so long, unemployed, and without the family was crushing me. I missed living in Seattle a lot. Above all, I missed Dean. He betrayed me and fell in love with my best friend, but I still loved him.

My phone rang. My phone did not have the number listed, so I hoped someone might offer me a job.

"Hello!" I answered, full of hope.

"Hey! Lena? Is that you?" a man asked.

"Yes... It's me. Who's this?"

"Lena, it's Jake. Dean Clark's younger brother."

My heart pounded heavily. "Jake? What are you calling me for?"

"One of my employees told me that a girl dropped off her resume yesterday. I checked it a moment ago and recognized you. What happened? Why are you looking for a job? You had it all. You're married to my brother. You don't need to work."

"Well... Dean and I got divorced. He fell in love with Carla. My best friend, remember?"

"What? But how? That can't be!"

"It's the truth," I wiped away tears. "And Dean rejected me. I'm no longer part of the pack. I've moved away."

Talking to Jake wasn't a good idea. He was Dean's brother. What if he told Dean where I am? Dean shouldn't find out my whereabouts! My babies would be safe in California if Dean didn't find out. Otherwise, he might take them away from me.

"Dean is a fool. He'll regret leaving you. I promise you that. I'm glad I don't have a relationship with him."

Jake and Dean haven't been getting along for a long time. Jake moved out of the country months ago, but apparently, he's back without saying a word. They were rivals. Jake left the pack because of conflicts with Dean. Dean tried to convince him, but Jake didn't care.

"I need a job, Jake. I'm ashamed. But I need it. I have to support my... Support me," I corrected, almost revealing too much.

"With the resume you've sent, no one will hire you, Lena. It's dreadful. You don't know how to write a resume."

I sighed. Anxiety gripped me.

"But you're in luck. I'll give you a job," Jake announced.

I jumped with joy at his words. But what if Jake found out about my pregnancy? My belly was growing. I wouldn't be able to hide the pregnancy forever. However, Jake was the only one offering me a job. I couldn't afford to turn down his offer. I needed to save money.

"Thank you, Jake! You're the best!"

"Don't thank me. I feel bad for you. I owe you this because of what my brother did to you. I'm sorry. You'll start tomorrow morning."

Jake invited me for coffee in the afternoon to discuss the job. Jake looked very handsome. His expressions reminded me of Dean. It seemed like the ghost of Dean Clark was haunting me everywhere. Jake was kind to me.

When I told him my parents demanded that I leave the house and were angry with me for the divorce, he offered to pay for an apartment. I told him not to, but he insisted.

"You don't have to do this for me, Jake."

"No, but I want to do it for you," he took my hand and caressed it.

"Please, don't tell Dean that I'm here. He can't find out. I don't want anyone to know," I pleaded. "I'm alone in the city, feeling sad, but it's my life now. I have to face it."

"I won't tell anyone. And you're not alone, Lena. I'm here with you," he stroked my cheek.

Jake drove me back to the hotel. He said I could stay at his apartment, but I declined.

In the bedside table drawer was a photograph of Dean and me. It was our wedding picture. I missed them so much. But he didn't miss me. Dean loved Lena. I touched my belly, thinking of my children.

With each passing day, I felt weaker. The curse was real. My life was in danger. I shouldn't have done it, but I searched for Dean's name on social media. My eyes filled with tears.

Dean and Carla announced their engagement today. It didn't even take him three weeks to get engaged to my former best friend.

And that's not all.

Carla was pregnant.