Act Like You Love Me (Jessica) novel Chapter 174

Chapter 174

Author’s Note;

Hello dear readers,

The previous chapter “I admire you Aaron” is wrong. I deeply apologize for the mistake.

It’s supposed to come after this current chapter you’re reading. Please accept my apologies.

I have made the updates, it’s left for the team to make the changes on the apps.

Jessica’s POV

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“Enough?” Lena, his cousin who had perfected the art of the biting remark since she discovered my existence,

chimed in.

She was nursing a drink, her eyes narrowed.

“He destroyed a woman’s entire career for you, Jess. Fiona is a nobody in the industry because of what Aaron did. I hope you’re worth the price he paid.”

I felt the heat rising in my neck. The air felt thick with their resentment.

“She’s worth more than this entire room, Aaron snapped, his jaw tight. He caught my hand, a silent command to stay steady. He closed his eyes and exhaled loudly.

“Look, we’re here for the party. Let’s leave the interrogation for another day.”

He whirled me away, navigating through the thicket of staring relatives until we reached a quieter corner near the French doors.

He turned to me, his hands gripping my shoulders. His eyes were searching mine, dark and intense.

“Are you okay?”

I forced a smile, though my lips felt brittle. “I’m fine, Aaron. Just… a lot of people who clearly preferred me dead.”

“Don’t listen to them,” he whispered. “Stay right here. Don’t move an inch. I have to talk to David and a few of the estate managers-it’s the only way to keep the peace for a minute. Do not wander off.”

He kissed my forehead-a quick, desperate pressure-and disappeared back into the crowd.

I stood there, feeling like a statue in a gallery of people who hated the art. I reached for a glass of water from a passing tray, trying to focus on my breathing.

“You always did know how to ruin a perfectly good party, didn’t you, Jess?”

The voice was oily and far too close. I stiffened. I didn’t even have to look to know it was Eric.

17:24 Mon, Mar 2 d

Chapter 174

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He slid into my line of sight, leaning against the wall with a predatory grace. He looked me up and down, his eyes lingering on the curve of my neck in a way that made me want to scrub my skin raw.

“I have to say,” he drawled, taking a slow sip of his drink. “The ‘back from the dead’ look suits you. You’ve filled out since you were that scrawny twelve-year-old following Aaron around like a lost dog.”

I felt a surge of pure disgust. People like him never changed; they just got better at hiding their rot behind expensive suits.

I wanted to tell him exactly where he could go, but my throat felt clogged. I didn’t have the energy to fight a cockroach when a lion was waiting for me in the next room.

“Go away, Eric,” I seethed, my voice cold.

“So fierce,” he chuckled, stepping closer into my personal space. I could smell the expensive gin on his breath.

“I have to say, Aaron has always had impeccable taste, but you… you’re something else entirely now.”

He reached out, his fingers hovering near the strap of my dress.

“Eric, for the love of God, stop being a creep.

Aria appeared like an angel of mercy, shoving her way between us. She didn’t even look at Eric; she just grabbed my arm.

Jessica is coming with me. We’re going to the barn.

Aria didn’t stop until we were out in the cool evening air.

“I’m sorry about him. He’s been a pig since the womb. Come on, let’s look at the horses…”

The sun began to dip behind the black forest, casting long, skeletal shadows across the lawn. Aria and I wandered the perimeter of the stables for a while. She was talking, but I barely heard her.

My mind was in a hundred different places, mostly wondering where Kennedy had stashed my son.

When we eventually circled back to the terrace, the party was in full swing. The elite of Europe and America were mingling, laughing and clinking glasses while a string quartet played something light and airy.

Wendy stepped onto the stone dais to give the opening speech.

She spoke of family, of heritage, and the “blessing” of having everyone gathered at the farm. Her voice was warm, but as I watched her, a cold knot of dread began to tighten in stomach.

my

If Wendy was giving the speech, where was Kennedy? He never missed an opportunity to command a room.

His absence was a screaming void in the middle of the celebration.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned, expecting Aaron, but found myself looking into the tired, weathered

17:24 Mon, Mar 2 d

Chapter 174

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