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

please don't involve my dad, but his words came back like an iron wall: It's for our financial future,

response, just a tightening in my chest, so I

tension drain through my fingertips as I rubbed

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,"

my eyes

that familiar, infuriating

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PART 3 CHAPTER 160

288 Vouchers

boil at the same time. "For lying

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

leaving mine. "About the Jeep. I sold that thing when I

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

tumbling out faster than I could stop

their eyes, only to die the second I don't remember what

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

He stood there, just watching me, and for a second, I thought maybe he'd leave and let me have

instead, he took another step closer. He reached for me, his arms pulling me into a hug,

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PART 3 CHAPTER 160

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my body molded to

he whispered, his

Something inside me snapped.

shaking with all the anger and 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!"

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

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