Chapter 3: Are You Jealous?
Caleb’s vision blurred from a coughing fit. Through the haze, he first saw a pair of colorful high heels. Looking up, he recognized Raquel Levinson, elegantly dressed in white. His fiancée. The woman who had sworn she loved him, then falsely testified against him in court, condemning him for a crime he didn’t commit. A frown creased Raquel’s face as she instinctively recoiled, noticing the blood on his lip. Disdain flickered in her eyes, quickly masked. She spoke in a measured tone, fighting her discomfort. “I came to take you home. You’ve repaid your debt to Jesse—it’s over. Just get along with him now. He’s willing to let bygones be bygones.”
Let bygones be bygones? A bitter laugh threatened to escape him. I lived a normal life for twenty years—and for that, they turned me into a criminal and a sinner.
A complex emotion flickered in Caleb’s eyes as he stared at Raquel. Five years ago, they were to be married that winter. Then Jesse appeared, and the marriage was transferred to the rightful heir. Initially, Raquel had clung to him, sobbing, swearing her love for him and refusal to marry Jesse. Yet, here she stood, addressing him with such sweetness, as if she’d forgotten those words. “You—” Her phone rang, interrupting him. Her frown vanished, replaced by a radiant smile as she answered. “Jesse. Yes, I’ve arrived.” Her voice, dripping with affection, held the playful coyness of a woman in love—a sight Caleb had never witnessed before. Five years. Apparently, that was all it took. Swallowing the question forming on his lips, Caleb wiped the blood from his mouth and headed for the bus stop. With each step, pain pulsed through his chest; his broken rib ached—Yelena’s doing.
Half a month after Jesse's return, he'd insisted on climbing a forbidden ancient tower. His reckless act caused such a commotion that the police were involved. The old wooden staircase gave way, and the floor where Jesse stood groaned, threatening collapse. Drenched in sweat, Caleb searched for something to brace the stairs. Before he could act, Yelena struck him from behind. “Jump down! Your brother will catch you!” she shouted. Before Caleb could react, Jesse leaped, fifty kilograms of dead weight crashing down on him. Three ribs snapped instantly, one piercing his lung. He was rushed to the emergency room, but the Quixall family fussed over Jesse’s minor hand injury, oblivious to Caleb’s far more serious wounds.
Memories flooded back as he stood at the bus stop. He had enough money to leave, to sever ties with the Quixall family. “Cale, why did you leave without a word?” A sleek car pulled up, and Raquel emerged, her makeup barely concealing her displeasure. She hadn’t noticed him leaving, preoccupied with her call. Caleb didn’t bother arguing. “Why are you following me? You’re Jesse’s fiancée. Keep your distance from other men.”
Raquel stiffened, then frowned. “Are you jealous?”
Caleb was stunned. How did she even reach that conclusion? Before he could respond, Raquel defended herself. “I had no choice. You were gone five years. I’m only human—I need love too. Jesse has been very good to me…”
Caleb’s surprise morphed into mockery. They all claimed to have ‘no choice,’ shoving their burdens onto me, making me carry them alone. But did I ever have a choice?
Cutting her off, he fixed his gaze on her. His voice was quiet, but sharp. “Why did you lie on the stand?”