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

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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

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

tightening in

through my fingertips as

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

narrowing my

that familiar, infuriating half-smile

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PART 3 CHAPTER 160

288 Vouchers

my blood boil at

heart stuttered, and for a split second, I just stared at him, trying to form words. "Lying?" I finally managed, my voice sharper than

a few casual steps toward me, his eyes never leaving mine. "About the Jeep. I sold that thing when I moved to L.A. There's no way you'd

catch in my throat. He was pressing me, his gaze steady and unyielding, cutting right through every wall I had tried to build. Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them back, not willing to give him

I remember a little doesn't mean I remember everything," I snapped, my words tumbling out faster than I could stop them. "I hate those looks, Luke. The hope on everyone's faces, the

the second I don't remember what they want me to

fists at my sides, nails biting into my palms. "It's like they're waiting for me to be whole again, but I'm not. And I don't know if

and for a second, I thought

step closer. He reached for me, his arms pulling me into a

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PART 3 CHAPTER 160

288 Vouchers

my body molded to

whispered, his breath

Something inside me snapped.

you get that? The old me-she's gone! I m it never come back!" Luke's face fell, the smirk replaced with something

sharp, ragged bursts as I turned to see Aiden standing in

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