Hot Shower, Cold Heart by Mark Twain 21
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
When I walked out of the operating room, my head was foggy.
Everything from my past felt like it was wrapped in mist-and I was just a bystander now, calm and detached.
I followed the address in my hospital records and went home.
The second I opened the door, I heard cheering.
“Happy birthday, Leah!”
I stepped into the living room. Everyone was gathered around Leah, singing happy birthday.
Her eyes welled up with tears as she threw her arms around Stellan, beaming.
One of my friends noticed me and cleared their throat awkwardly.
The whole room went silent.
After a beat, Stellan asked, a little uncomfortable, “Ella, you’re out already? Why didn’t you tell me? I would’ve picked you up.”
I dodged his hand reaching for my bag. “The hospital was too noisy. Figured I’d be better off at home.”
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The room got even more awkward.
My longtime friend Oceane stepped forward, trying to smooth things over. “Ella, perfect timing-it’s Leah’s birthday. We all chipped in for a gift. You’re her sister, so you should be the one to give it to her.”
She pressed a small, elegant box into my hands.
I stood there frozen. After a moment, I took it and handed it to Leah.
I’d been her elder sister for years.
This gift could be the last thing I ever gave her-a final gesture to close the book on all of it.
The second I held it out, Leah reached for it-but it slipped and hit the floor.
The box popped open. The delicate glass bracelet inside shattered into pieces.
Leah’s eyes filled with tears. “Ella… you still won’t forgive me, will you? That kiss was an accident. I didn’t mean it!
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Hot Shower, Cold Heart: How Water Temperature Exposed My Military Husband’s Affair
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Chapter 2
I’ve been so worried about you this whole time you were in the hospital…”
Everyone rushed to comfort her. The looks they shot me were full of blame.
“Ella, I’m sorry, but you’re being ridiculous. You’re the older sister-why are you still holding a grudge?”
“It’s her birthday. Can’t you just let her be happy for one day?”
I looked around at the people accusing me.
Standing front and center, staring at me with pure disappointment, was the man I’d loved for ten years.
A roar filled my ears. My vision blurred. I could barely stay on my feet.
“Alright, everyone, stop blaming Ella. She just got out of the hospital.”
Stellan walked over and said gently, “Don’t be mad at Leah. She’s just a kid.”
He picked up the box from the floor and handed it back to me.
“She didn’t mean to drop it. Just give it to her again… You two are going to have to get along eventually.”
His voice was soft, but his hand on my shoulder was pressing down hard.
I took a deep breath and stepped away from him. “That won’t be necessary. She and I… probably won’t be living together anymore.”
“Actually, I came back today to move out.”
The second I said that, Leah burst into tears.
“Ella, are you… kicking me out?” She looked at Stellan helplessly. “Stellan, what do I do? You promised me…”
Stellan patted her head soothingly, then turned to me, irritation flickering across his face.
Before I could explain, my friends cut me off.
“Ella! That’s way too harsh!”
“Where’s she supposed to go if you kick her out?”
“What if something happens to her out there? How could you be so heartless?”
Oceane looked at me with pity. “Come on, Ella. Look how upset she is. She’s just a kid…”
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Hot Shower, Cold Heart: How Water Temperature Exposed My Military Husband’s Affair
Chapter 2
I stared at Oceane, feeling completely hollow inside.
When she got scammed out of all her savings, I gave her every cent I had so she’d have a place to stay.
Back then, she hugged me with tears in her eyes and told me I was her best friend.
Now she was standing against me, defending the girl who kissed my fiancé.
“Oceane, I know we’re close, but this is my family business… Besides, I’m the one moving out. This apartment-”
Stellan cut me off.
“Enough, Ella. Oceane’s just trying to be fair to Leah. She’s your sister. This place is hers too.”
He kept comforting Leah while glaring at me. “Let’s be honest-you’re still holding that kiss against us. But she’s just a kid. If you have a problem, take it up with me. Don’t take it out on her.”
I was speechless. The words stuck in my throat.
Leah timidly walked over and grabbed my hand. “Ella, please don’t be mad at me anymore. I promise I won’t say a single word to Stellan from now on. You’re the only family I have left…”
I didn’t say anything-but then a sharp pain shot through my hand.
I jerked it away instinctively, and Leah stumbled backward, landing hard on the floor.-
I reached out to help her up, but Stellan shoved me back.
“Don’t touch her!”
I’d never seen him lose it like that. My chest tightened with a stabbing pain.
“Stellan… my ankle really hurts. I think I twisted it…”
Stellan scooped her up in his arms and glared at me. “I’m taking her out of here. You need to cool off and think about what you’ve done.”
His jaw clenched. Then he added, “Ella, you’ve really disappointed me.”
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09:57
Hot Shower Cold Heart: How Water Temperature Exposed My Military Husband’s Affair
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