Act Like You Love Me (Jessica) novel Chapter 133

Chapter 133

Jessica’s POV

He was buzzing with excitement all the way up to his room, making the once sad house lively.

I took him to his room, gave him a bath, and dressed him in a crisp white shirt and dark jeans.

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I smoothed down the sides of his hair, styling the waves to match Aaron’s exactly, then gave him a quick spritz of kid’s cologne that smelled like fresh apples.

As I slid on his shoes, he rambled non-stop: “Will he like me? What if I say something dumb? Does he play basketball too? Would he be impressed if he knew I could ride a bike without training wheels?”

“If I tell you everything about him now, what will you have to ask him during dinner?” I teased, raising a playful brow. He turned pink and smiled sheepishly.

“Wait here while I get ready,” I said, leaving him to his thoughts.

In my bathroom, the steam from the shower clouded the mirror, but it couldn’t blur the memories.

I stood under the spray and finally let go, hot tears mixing with the water as I grieved for Aunt Lydia. It felt wrong to do this without her; we had spent so many afternoons whispering about how this day would go, planning the surprise down to the last detail.

The magnitude of it hit me all over again-the “why now?” and the “why her?” that I knew would never be answered.

I missed her so much it was a physical ache in my chest. I stayed under the spluttering water until the heat started to fade, letting the salt of my tears wash down the drain.

When I finally stepped out, I dried myself off and moved with purpose.

I kept my makeup light, using just enough concealer to mask the dark shadows of exhaustion under my eyes.

I swept my hair into a soft, loose bun, letting a few strands frame my face to hide how tired I really felt.

Then, I slipped into a simple gray dress-nothing too flashy, just something that felt comfortable–and slid into my favorite flat sandals.

I stood there, staring at my reflection and taking a long, steadying breath. I searched my own eyes, trying to find a glimpse of the woman I had been during those few weeks when Aaron first started noticing me.

Back then, everything felt light. It was the only time in my life I could remember being purely, recklessly happy—no baggage, no secrets, just the thrill of being seen by him.

I picked up the gift I’d spent hours putting together for Aaron. It was a heavy wooden box, and inside was the piece of my life I’d kept hidden for six years: a leather-bound album filled with every milestone he’d missed.

I’d curated it carefully-photos of Adrian’s first steps, his toothless baby grins, his first day of kindergarten,

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Chapter 133

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photos from the day he was born, first smile(I was lucky to get that) his first game… they were all in there.

Beside the album lay a stack of fifty handwritten letters, each tucked into its own envelope.

Some were years old, written in the middle of the night when I was lonely in Pittsburg, and some were from the last few days.

They were my confessions-every apology and every “I love you” I hadn’t been brave enough to say out loud.

I’d also tucked in a mini bottle of the woodsy, warm cologne he always wore, and a sleek silver wristwatch I’d saved up for.

On the back, I’d had it engraved with a simple message: ‘For the time we lost, and the time ahead?

I ran my thumb over the engraving, a small, hopeful smile tugging at my lips. It was a peace offering, a bridge over the six-year gap I’d created.

After everything he’d done for me: providing a roof over my head back in college, quietly settling my bills without ever making me feel like a charity case, right up until this moment-the gift felt almost too small.

Did he bully me? Yes.

We had our history, and it was ugly. But looking back now, he’s paid that debt a thousand times over.

He’s been so consistent, so present, that I’ve almost forgotten there was a time when we were anything but this.

Staring at the box, I realized it wasn’t just a present; it was a white flag. It was the only way I knew how to tell him that I was finally done.

I was done hiding, done making excuses, and most importantly, I was finally ready to stop running.

I went to Adrian’s room and found him pacing like a nervous executive before a board meeting.

He was literally panicking at the thought of meeting his father.

“Addie,” I called softly.

He froze. I beckoned him over and squeezed his hand.

“Don’t be nervous. He already loves you more than anything.”

He nodded with a brave, tight smile, and we walked toward the living room with our arms wrapped around

each other.

We sat on the sofa in a heavy silence; Adrian was usually a total chatterbox, but the anticipation had locked his throat tight.

My phone buzzed in my palm.

It was a text from Aaron: “Ten minutes away.

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Chapter 133

‘We’re waiting for you,’ I typed back, my heart fluttering against my ribs.

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