If the babies were a raw , open wound in my heart , then my mom was a thorn embedded deep inside .
Sarahs mom destroyed my parents marriage , < and my mom battled depression , eventually jumping off a building .
Sarah had no right to bring her up .
I couldnt take it anymore .
I slapped her across her smug face .
The crack of my hand echoed in the hallway , knocking her head to the side .
Sarah just stared , speechless , clutching her cheek .
After a long silence , she finally reacted .
You hit me ? Damn right I did , I said , my voice icy .
Seeing the hatred in my eyes , Sarah flinched , but she didnt dare say anything .
Suddenly , her anger vanished , replaced by tears streaming down her face as she clutched her swollen cheek , looking at me with hurt in her eyes : Claire , why would you hit me ? She had switched her attitude so quickly .
Claire ! Jakes voice was filled with rage .
I scoffed .

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Figures .
Jake rushed over , gently checking Sarah for injuries , his eyes full of concern .
く Sarahs tears flowed even harder .
Jake , dont be mad at Claire , its my fault , I shouldnt have upset her .
She was so good at pretending to be helpless , just like her mom .
Hearing this , Jakes anger grew , his eyes turning on me like cold steel .
Apologize .
His voice was so harsh , each word hit me like a hammer blow .
This version of Jake was a stranger .
It was like I didnt even know him .
< But I knew that this was the real Jake , that all his tenderness and affection had been an act .
Sarah hid behind Jake , looking at me with a smug smile in her eyes .
She should be apologizing to me , I snapped , facing the man in front of me .
You were the one who hit her , Claire .
How did you become so cruel ? You know Sarah just had surgery , she cant handle anything like this .
Jake looked at me with complete disappointment .
6 く She deserved it .
You only saw me hit her , you didnt ask why .
If it wasnt for … Enough ! Before I could finish , Jakes hand crashed across my face .
My cheek burned , and I tasted blood .
My ears were ringing .
Hed put all his force into that slap .
Claire … Jake was stunned by what hed done .
After a few seconds , regret flickered in his eyes , and he reached out to check on me .
But when I saw what he was trying to do , I instinctively flinched back .
I glared at Jake , refusing to cry.
His slap had shattered the last of my feelings for him .
Jake froze , his hand in mid air .
Sarah had been enjoying the show , but when she saw the regret in Jakes eyes , a sly look crossed her face .
Oof … She doubled over , clutching her stomach and moaning .
That moan got Jakes attention .
Jake … Sarah sounded weak as she collapsed into his arms .
Jake panicked .
Think about what youve done , he said , before scooping Sarah into his arms and running toward the emergency room .
He didnt notice Sarah give me a triumphant grin .
You lost , she mouthed .
Yeah .
I lost , big time .
But so what ? The second I found out Jake had lied to me , I decided I was done with him .
ᄀ Back at the house , I started packing .
I put anything important in my suitcase , tossing everything else in the trash .