"After everything Clay and I have been through, do you really think that I would let our marriage fall apart, over another man? You've got to be kidding me. Jax, I am not cheating on him. I have been nothing but faithful to him, for all of these years."
"So, then explain it to me, so I can explain it to him."
"You tell him, that if he has a question, or a damn accusation," her voice raises, "he should come to me."
"Ok," Jax nods.
She's in bed that night, waiting for her husband to come home, when her phone rings. She glances at the phone. She instantly recognizes the number. She pulls the phone to her ear.
"Hi, baby. I know, I miss you too. I know, but we've talked about this. I can't do that. I love you, but I can't. Goodnight. I love you," she hangs up.
She puts her phone on the nightstand. She looks up, when she hears Clay clear her throat.
"Are you trying to sneak up on me, or something?" she raises an eyebrow.
"Who was on the phone?"
"No one."
"Gemma! Dammit! Stop lying to me."
"What is your problem?"
"Who is he? Who is this bastard that you've been seeing."
"Jealous is not a good color on you."
"Who is he, Gemma?"
"How many times have you cheated on me?"
"That's not the point."
"What is the point? Huh? Are you going to make him disappear?"
"I just want the truth."
She grabs her phone, and hops out of the bed. She blows past him. He follows after her. She grabs her keys, and heads out the door. She jumps in her car.
"Where the Hell, do you think you're going?" he rages as she backs out of the driveway.
She drives, aimlessly, sobbing. Finally, she picks a direction, and just drives. She drives for hours, and then stops to fill up. She keeps driving, until she reaches her destination. At a normal pace the trip takes nine hours, she makes it in six. The sun is just coming up, as she pulls into the driveway.
She gets out of the car, and makes her way down the sidewalk. She pulls a key, out of her purse, and unlocks the door. She slips her heels off, in an effort to sneak in, unnoticed. She walks past the living room, and takes a left, up the stairs. She tiptoes up the stairs.
She stops, at the top of the stairs, and looks through the half-open door to her right. After she's satisfied that she won't be caught, she continues down the hallway. She stops, at the door way, at the end of the hall. It's cracked.
She pushes the door open, with the tips of her fingers. On the far window, is a large bay window. Underneath the window, is a bed. There is a mound of lavender blankets, covering the bed. She tiptoes over to the bed.
She peels back the covers, and climbs in. She pulls the covers down, enough to reveal long brunette locks. She pushes them away from the face that they are sticking to. She kisses the cheek, of a sleeping angel.
"Zahra," she whispers.
The brunette rolls over, and opens her eyes. She stares at Gemma, in silence. She smiles, a sleepy grin.
"Good morning."
"What are you doing here?"
"I had to see you."
"You just saw me, yesterday."
"I know, and you've already changed so much."
"No, I haven't. I'm exactly the same."
"Your hair is longer," Gemma offers.
"It's early."
"Yes, I know."
"You drove all night?"
"I wanted to see you, before you went to school."
"Why?"
Gemma swallows hard, "I didn't want to have to miss another birthday."
"Why does it have to be this way? I don't understand."
"I know, but one day, you will."
"Don't go," she begs.
"I am not going anywhere, right now."
"Ever," she clarifies.
"I have to."
"Everything, everyone, always comes before me. It's not fair. I'm sick of it."
"I know."
"Can't you stay, this time?"
"Shh!"
Gemma lies, in silence, just staring at the face of an angel. Her savior. One of the only good choices she had ever made in her life. The biggest mistake, the biggest secret.
The burden, that she refused to share. The face, that she refused to share with the world. The secret, the guilt, that had been eating at her, for far too long.
The only thing that kept her part of humanity, was lying in a twin sized bed, next to her. She chokes back tears, that she has saved, for so many years.
"Please, don't leave," breaks the silence.
"Please, don't do this," Gemma begs, feeling her heart breaking.
"I have to go to school, soon."
"I know."
An hour an a half later, Gemma leaves the house, to go home. She hears footsteps, chasing after her.
"No, not yet," she begs.
A tall, grey-haired man, stands in the doorway, staring at Gemma.
"Zahra, come on," he insists.
"I'll drop her off."
"Are you sure?"
"It's her birthday," Gemma responds.
"You heard her, Zahra, grab your bag, you don't want to be late."
She waits in her car, for Zahra. After a few moments, Zahra climbs in the passenger's side. She backs out of the driveway, and heads down the street.