Act Like You Love Me (Jessica) novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Jessica’s POV

We finally arrived at the exclusive estate where our apartment uit was located.

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As Aaron’s car skidded through the gate, I felt that familiar, uncay ache in my chest–the one that always screamed, reminding me that I would never have stepped foot into this luxury if it weren’t for Aaron. Which, of course, was strictly

true.

He slid into a parking spot, and we both got out. The sun had long set, casting the complex in a deep indigo. Night had fallen already.

I couldn’t wait to run, hide under the covers in my bed, and finally cry my heart out without the watchful eyes of the world.

Just as we crossed the porch, a text message arrived.

My colleague’s name, Fallon, flashed across the screen. I opened it quickly:

“Hey, you back? Uhm, there’s a lady here demanding to see you. She’s causing a scene and sir Derek isn’t having it. You need to hurry, or you may lose your job, Jess.”

My heart stuttered as I reread it, the words blurring a little.

A lady? Who the hell… Rose? Or Annie, my stepmother? They were the only ones twisted enough to pull something like this. But what were they doing all the way in Florida?

Panic flooded through me like ice water, chilling my bones. I couldn’t lose this job, not after how hard I’d fought for it.

Derek hadn’t even wanted to hire me at first, with my spotty resume and that haunted look I couldn’t quite shake. Whatever miracle had changed his mind, I was grateful, but it also meant he could boot me out just as easily, and he had every reason

to now.

“Are you okay?” Aaron’s hand on my shoulder made me jump, his touch warm but startling.

I looked up to find him staring at me with deep concern.

I swallowed and looked away. “I have to go,” I mumbled, already taking a step back.

His brow furrowed. “Go-” Before he could finish, I turned on my heel and began sprinting out of the complex and onto the dark street.

“Jessica!” He called after me, his voice sharp with alarm.

I ran, my vision blurring again. God, please don’t let Derek fire me. Please.

I thought Aaron had let me go, but suddenly, I felt an iron grip close around my elbow. He spun me around harshly, the force causing me to bump hard against his unyielding chest.

I twisted, trying to wrench free from his grip, but it was useless, his hold was like steel.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Jessica?” he snapped, his voice laced with confusion and anger.

“Aaron, let me go! I need to save my job!” I tried harder, pushing against him, but he didn’t budge. He simply held me in place.

“Save your–what is going on, Jessica? You’re really losing your mind.”

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11:59 Sat, Jan 10 DO

Chapter 24

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All the anxiety, the fear of Kennedy, the betrayal of Fiona, loving him without being sure of his feelings and the shame of my family–it all exploded in a hot surge of rage.

“Yes, Aaron, I’m losing my mind! I’m fucking losing my mind, okay?” The words exploded out, loud enough to turn heads from passersby lingering in the twilight.

I’d regret this tomorrow, when the fog cleared and embarrassment set in, but right now? I needed to unleash it, or it’d choke me from the inside.

I was tired. Utterly, excruciatingly tired of everything. I needed a break, or maybe just an end–something to stop this constant ache in my chest and the judgmental voices in my head

Aaron didn’t flinch. He just stood there, his eyes steady as I unraveled in front of him.

I shut my eyes and took a shuddering breath.

“Aaron, can you let me go? Please. I need to get to the diner.” I spoke softly, the fight draining out of me.

His grip loosened a fraction, and I pulled back, stepping away.

I didn’t look back as I hurried off, the cool evening air brushing against my flushed skin.

Aaron’s POV

I respected her wishes and let her go, watching her silhouette shrink into the gathering dusk. But there was no damn way I’d let her wander off alone in the dark, not like this–not with that wild, broken look in her eyes.

I hung back in the shadows, trailing her silently, my footsteps light on the sidewalk.

Her behavior was beyond strange. It had been since the night she opened up about her suicidal thoughts, right up until this hysterical explosion.

What really happened in Grandpa’s office? What the hell did he say to her, and why was she treating it like some forbidden, poisonous secret?

I noticed the way she violently avoids the topic, the way her entire body tenses up like a wire whenever I bring it up. What did he tell her that’s making her so terrified to speak, even to me?

I needed to find out, and I needed to find out now. I slid my phone from my pocket and shot my cousin, David, a quick text.

David was still at the mansion; he said he wouldn’t be leaving for New York until Wednesday. He was the only one I could trust to keep his mouth shut.

Aaron: “Yo! I need a favor from you.” My eyes kept darting from my phone screen to Jess’s distant figure.

In less than a minute, David responded.

David: “What’s up, man?”

Aaron: “Can you get into Grandpa’s office, or maybe the control room? I need the voice recording from Saturday evening.”

He didn’t respond back immediately, but I could see he had read the message. My brows furrowed in annoyance.

The typing bubble popped up, and I sighed in relief, but his text had me boiling. I honestly wished I could snag my hand into the phone and grab his neck.

It was a string of numerous laughing emojis.

Before I could respond, he called me. I answered immediately.

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11:59 Sat, Jan 10

Chapter 24

“Are you crazy, man? You know Grandpa’s office is a no–go zone for everyone–well, except Nonna.”

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I halted mid–stride, pinching the bridge of my nose, but kept my gaze locked on Jess’s path ahead.

“Look, I know that, Dave. But you have to try! Check the control room. I think there should be something there, some digital backup.” I hissed out in frustration.

“Ron, you know I’d cut off my balls if you asked, but this… no thank you. I don’t want Grandpa having my head for Thanksgiving.”

“Ew.” I grimaced, the image of his balls unwelcome. “Well, thanks for nothing.” I seethed and hung up, shoving the phone back in my pocket.

Technically, what I was asking was impossible. No one goes into his private office without his explicit summoning–well, except me. I’ve broken that rule quite a number of times and yet I’m alive.

Given my rebellion record, I guess he learned to make me the only exception, along with Nonna.

Nonna. Yes, she could help. She had a way of slipping through cracks no one else could.

I needed to know what conversation transpired between him and Jessica.

I dialed her number, but it went straight to voicemail. Her warm, melodic voice filled the line:

“Hey, it’s Wendy. Leave a message, and I’ll get back to you with a hug or a scolding–depending on what you’ve done.”

I looked at the time. It was 6:56 PM. Grandma usually took a long shower at this hour, preparing for her dedicated knitting time.

Her free time didn’t start until 8 PM, and she hated any intervention unless it was an emergency.

I let out a frustrated sigh. I guess I had to wait.

I continued trailing Jessica until she reached the diner safely. I watched her yank the door open and disappear inside. Only then, once I knew she was safe, did I decide it was okay to turn back.