PART 3 - CHAPTER 160

JESS

I slipped of my sandals and walked barefoot across the grass until I got to the pool. Walking along the edge and watching the water sparkle.

From inside, through the sliding glass door, I could hear Aiden's voice, low and steady, mingling with my father's deeper timbre. I knew the conversation well enough by now-

plans for his future, for our future, investments, and business propositions. I had tried to tell him, please don't involve my dad, but his words came back like an iron wall: It's for our financial future, Jess.

I had no response, just a tightening in my chest, so I turned and walked out.

Now, outside by the pool, I exhaled, letting the tension drain through my fingertips as I rubbed my arms against the evening chill.

The soft creak of the door sliding open behind me broke the silence. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. The shift in the air around me, the low hum of tension that always seemed to follow him, told me enough. "You don't need to thank me," Luke's voice cut through the quiet, calm and sure.

I spun around, narrowing my eyes at him. "For what?"

He smirked, that familiar, infuriating half-smile that could make

0.00% O

22:10

PART 3 CHAPTER 160

PART 3 - CHAPTER 160

JESS

I slipped of my sandals and walked barefoot across the grass until I got to the pool. Walking along the edge and watching the water sparkle.

From inside, through the sliding glass door, I could hear Aiden's voice, low and steady, mingling with my father's deeper timbre. I knew the conversation well enough by now-plans for his

involve my dad, but his words came back like an iron wall: It's for our financial

no response, just a tightening in my chest, so

outside by the pool, I exhaled, letting the tension drain through my fingertips as I rubbed my arms

The shift in the air around me, the low hum of tension that always seemed to

my eyes

familiar, infuriating half-smile

0.00%

2210

PART 3 CHAPTER 160

288 Vouchers

pulse quicken and my blood boil at the same time. "For lying

a split second, I just stared at him, trying to form words. "Lying?"

I sold that thing when I moved to L.A. There's

every wall I had tried to build.

snapped, my words tumbling out faster than I could stop them. "I hate those looks, Luke. The hope on everyone's faces, the

eyes, only to die the second I don't

alone speak. My fingers curled into fists at my sides, nails biting into my palms.

away. He stood there, just watching me, and for a second, I thought

his arms pulling me into a hug, but I stood rigid in

22.68%

III

22:10

PART 3 CHAPTER 160

288 Vouchers

molded to his, and I

can wait," he whispered, his breath warm

Something inside me snapped.

frustration that had been building for so long. "Don't you get that? The old me-she's gone! I m it never come back!" Luke's face fell, the smirk replaced with something darker, something more painful. His jaw clenched, but before he could

out in sharp, ragged bursts as I turned to see Aiden standing in the doorway, my father just behind him. They were

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255