Chapter 46

The next morning, Jane wakes up in Brad’s room, but Brad is not there.

“That’s weird, where did he go?”

She imagined her first time would have them snuggling the whole next day, unable to take their hands off each other. Instead, he has abandoned her.

“Oh God, this feels terrible,” Jane moans and rolls over.

Her mind starts racing with other possibilities, wondering if maybe he’s gone out to get her flowers or buy her breakfast. Her heart feels hopeful that he is surprising her with something special.

She sleeps in for a little bit longer, waiting for him to return, but he doesn’t.

She rolls out of bed and notices a note on the bedside table. Beside it is a finger vibrator. The note says, ‘Thank you for last night, precious. Here’s something for when you think of me…’

What does that mean? Is he ditching her? Is he really just a player? Where has he gone? Is she just some sex toy?

Jane gets mad and throws the vibrator across the room.

“Fuck you!”

She starts crying on the bed, feeling used and betrayed. She punches the bed and pillows. “You goddamn fucking bastard! I knew it! You only fucking wanted me for sex!”

She gets out of bed and grabs her stuff, ready to go over to her room and check out.

She notices a table with breakfast set up on it with roses, freshly squeezed juice, and covered plates to keep the food warm. She notices a newspaper partly opened on the table.

The headlines say, ‘Billionaire Brad Halliwell Wanted for Failing to Pay Child Support. Authorities Vow to Make the Arrest When He Returns to the States.’

What the hell is this? Jane is shocked. Is this why he brought her here? Is this why he left? Is she now stuck on this island? Will she be implicated?

She is panic stricken and doesn’t know what to do or where to turn. She feels anger, shame, shock, and grief all at once. She is paralyzed. Where can she turn?

She runs out the door and goes to her room. She quickly gets dressed, packs up her things, and goes down to the front desk.

She sees John there.

“John!” Jane says panting. “I’m so glad you’re here!”

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“No, I’m not. I have to get off this island. Can you help me?” Jane asks desperately.

“Yes, of course, but why? Where’s Brad?”

“He’s an outlaw? He is wanted in the States! He’ll be arrested when he returns there,” Jane tries to explain quickly. “He doesn’t know I’m leaving. I’m terrified that I’m trapped here.”

“Okay, settle down, Jane. It’s okay. Relax. I’ll take care of it.”

John takes her to the back and promises not to tell Brad she is there. He makes arrangements for a private jet to come and get Jane to take her back to the States. Jane is beside herself, crying and so afraid.

“What the hell have I done?” Jane cries. “I can’t believe I slept with him, John. I gave him my virginity. To a criminal!”

“Don’t blame yourself, dear. You wouldn’t have known. I’m shocked about this, quite honestly. Are you sure it wasn’t some tabloid?”

“No, it was the New York Star.”

“Oh…” John says, disappointed.

The driver comes to get Jane to take her to the airport.

“Where’s Mr. Halliwell?” asks Sam calmly.

“I don’t know, and I don’t care,” says Jane. “Just get me out of here.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he replies. “He hurt you that badly?”

“I don’t want to talk about it, Sam,” she says, trying to hold back her tears. She puts her sunglasses on.

“I understand.”

They get to the airport and Jane boards the plane to head back home. She looks at the island through the window, and it all seems to be lost hopes and broken dreams. She reflects on all the things Brad said and now sees he was playing her the whole time. She doubts herself and wonders if she will ever be able to trust a man again.

The plane lands in New York three hours later, and a cab takes her back to her place. She goes into the apartment and finds an eviction notice on her door. She pulls it off and tears it up.

“Oh, damn it. I don’t have time for this,” Jane says, flopping on her bed. She sees her answering machine light flashing. The mail has piled up. Life just feels so heavy right now.

“I hate you, New York!” she screams out loud. “You have taken every fucking dream of mine, twisted it, shattered it, and taken away my dignity! I want nothing to do with you!”

Jane sobs in her pillow until she falls asleep. She wakes up at about nine p.m. and rolls out of bed. She reaches for the phone to call her mom.

“Mom, I’ve had it. I’m done with New York. I’m coming home.”

“What? Why? I thought everything was fine there.”

“No, it’s not, Mom. I’m lonely, I hate this city, and my dreams are getting crushed. I’m done with ballet.”

“Oh dear, sweetie. Maybe you just need a break away from things. You know you can come home anytime.”

“How about tomorrow?”

“Well, I have to save up some money for your plane ticket. Can you give me two weeks?” says her mom earnestly.

“Yes, of course. Thanks, Mom. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“I love you, sweetie. Don’t you worry. We’ll take care of you.”

Jane starts sobbing and feeling guilty she lied to her mom. She didn’t tell her that she’d been away for a week, or that she slept with a strange man who is now a wanted criminal.

“Oh Jane, you know what’s crazy. I saw in the New York Star about that billionaire, Brad Halliwell, that everyone keeps talking about.”

“Oh, really? I haven’t been following.”

“Well, that bastard hasn’t been paying child support to a woman he slept with years ago. What a jerk! These people with money, I tell you,” she says.

“Yeah, that’s awful, Mom. Where do they get off?” Jane replies, feeling a pit of shame in her stomach. “Mom, I have to go. I’m not feeling too well. Thanks for everything.”

“Yes, dear. Take care of yourself. I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Jane hangs up. She rolls over, hugs her teddy bear, and falls back asleep.