Act Like You Love Me (Jessica) novel Chapter 131

Chapter 131

Aaron’s POV

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By the time we returned to the hotel suite, the moon was high. Jessica was still in that terrifying, numb trance.

Her coat was stained with the mud of the cemetery, and her eyes were bloodshot and vacant.

I ran a hot bath, steam filling the bathroom, the scent of lavender from the hotel soap trying to chase away the day’s chill.

“Come on, Jess,” I said softly, helping her out of her clothes. She stepped in mechanically, sinking into the water.

I knelt by the tub, gently washing the mud from her legs, my hands careful, like she was made of glass.

It was meant to calm her, to wash away some of the grief, but her eyes stayed vacant.

After the bath, I dressed her in one of my oversized t-shirts, and tucked her into the massive king-sized bed.

I sat on the edge, raking my fingers through her damp hair, whispering every soothing thing I could think of.

“You need to eat something, Jess. Just a little. Some soup? A piece of toast?”

She didn’t respond. She just stared at the far wall, a single tear escaping and disappearing into the pillow.

I sighed, a heavy weight settling in my chest..

“I’m going to go down to the nearest restaurant. I’ll get them to make that pasta you like. I’ll be right back.”

As I started to stand, her hand shot out. She grabbed my wrist with a strength that surprised me.

“Please,” she begged, her voice a broken rasp. “Don’t go.”

I looked down and saw the fear in her eyes. It wasn’t just sadness; it was a terrifying, raw dread.

She had just seen someone she loved disappear into the earth, and she was convinced that if I stepped out of her sight, I’d be

next.

“But Jess, you haven’t eaten in-”

“Aaron, please,” she whispered, the tears rolling down her face in a silent, panic haste.

I couldn’t say no to that. With a loud sigh, I kicked off my shoes and climbed into the bed beside her.

The moment I was within reach, she threw her arms around me clinging so tight it was hard to breathe.

She held on like I was the only thing keeping her from falling off the edge of the world.

I waited until her breathing slowed slightly, then reached for the intercom on the nightstand.

I placed an order with room service-nothing fancy, just enough to get some nutrients into her.

We laid there in the dark for twenty minutes, the only sound the distant honks from cars.

When the doorbell finally chimed, I slowly peeled her hands away.

“I’m just going to the door, babe. Five feet away. I promise.”

The server wheeled in a cart, setting plates on the coffee table with a polite nod.

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10:49 Mon, Feb 9

Chapter 131

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“Good night, sir.” She left, and the room felt quieter than before.

When I turned back to the bed, Jessica had rolled onto her side, her back to me.

Her shoulders were shaking. She was crying again.

I didn’t say anything. I just walked over, lifted her up in my arms and carried her over to the couch.

I sat down and pulled her into my lap, cradling her like a baby, her face buried in the crook of my neck.

“Jess,” I called, my voice soft but firm. “Look at me.”

She sobbed harder at first, shaking her head against my skin.

“I can’t… it hurts too much.”

“I know, love. I know.” I held her tighter, rocking slightly. “But you have to eat,” I murmured, stroking her back.

“I don’t want you falling sick. Adrian needs you. I need you. Please, just a few bites.”

It took some coaxing-some gentle pleading and a few more tears-but eventually, I managed to get her to eat.

I fed her myself, bit by bit, until I was satisfied she wouldn’t faint from exhaustion.

When she was done, I carried her back to the bed and tucked the duvet around her shoulders.

I switched off the lights and climbed back in, pulling her into the curve of my body.

She huddled into me, her hand gripping my shirt, and finally, mercifully, her eyes drifted shut.

I stayed awake for a while, raking my fingers through her hair, keeping her grounded even in her sleep.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand. Moving carefully, I reached for it, squinting at the screen.

It was a text from David: ‘Bro, you have the coolest kid.’

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Attached was a video-David on the floor of their hotel room, Adrian zooming toy cars around him, both laughing like old pals.

I stared at the screen, a small, tired smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. I shook my head.

I realized then that I hadn’t actually told David I’d forgiven him. We hadn’t had the “talk” yet.

But watching him care for my son, watching him step up when I couldn’t, I realized the anger was just… gone.

Deep down, I wanted to let go of all of it. The six years of bitterness, the betrayal, the secrets. I wanted to forgive them both so we could actually start the life we were supposed to have.

The only things standing in the way were a dying old man’s pride and a woman named Lauren who didn’t know yet that her world was about to end.

I looked down at Jessica’s sleeping face. A few days until the wedding. I had to finish this. For Lydia, for Adrian, and for the woman in my arms.

I set the phone down, closed my eyes, and let myself believe it would all turn out fine.

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