Act Like You Love Me (Jessica) novel Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Jessica’s POV

The journey from the private terminal back to Arcadia College felt like a blur of grey roads and white noise.

By the time I stood in front of our apartment door, my chest was so tight I could barely draw a full breath.

I reached for the handle, but my phone vibrated in my palm, stopping me cold.

I looked down, expecting it to be Aaron, but it was David.

I hesitated, my thumb hovering over the screen.

David was the only bridge I had left to that world, the only person who had actually helped me escape the cage.

I swiped to answer, but when I pressed the phone to my ear, I couldn’t find my voice.

I remained silent, the only sound the hollow wind of the hallway and my own ragged breathing.

“Jess?” David’s voice was hushed, and gentle. “Are you there? Did you make it back?”

“I’m here,” I whispered. “I just arrived.”

There was an awkward, heavy silence on the other end.

I could practically hear the gears turning in his head, the conflict of a man who was still loyal to his blood but couldn’t ignore what he’d seen me go through.

“He’s already looking for you,” David said, his tone dropping even lower.

“He’s been through the whole ship twice. He’s… Jess, he doesn’t look too happy. I’ve never seen him like this. He’s losing it. I think maybe you should-”

“Take care of him for me,” I whispered, cutting him off before he could try to fix what was already shattered.

I didn’t wait for his reply. I hung up, the finality of the click echoing in the quiet corridor. With a trembling hand, I turned the key and pushed the door open.

The door clicked shut behind me, sealing me in with the ghosts of memories that hung around.

I collapsed against the door, sliding down until my knees hit the floor, and finally, I let it all out.

I sobbed until my ribs ached, the sound echoing off the walls of the home we’d built together-or rather, the home I had mistakenly thought was ours.

Memories started to crawl out of the corners, haunting me,

I saw us in the kitchen at three in the morning, laughing over burnt grilled cheese sandwiches because we’d both stayed up too late studying.

I remembered the scent of his coffee in the mornings and the way he’d sit across from me at the dining table, even after he’d graduated, helping me drill through my most difficult courses.

He was brilliant, patient, and for a while, he had been my entire world..

The teasing, our ridiculous petty arguments about who left the milk out, the quiet moments when I’d peek at him in the dark while he thought I was asleep.

13:18 Mon, Jan 12

Chapter 58

Every single detail lit my heart ablaze. But they were all a lie. A beautiful, high-definition lie.

I forced myself to stand up. I couldn’t stay here. If I stayed, I’d drown in the “what-ifs.”

I grabbed my suitcases and began to rummage through the wardrobe, throwing clothes in without folding them..

My hands were shaking so badly I could barely grip the hangers.

Amidst the chaos of fabric, I saw a small silver frame tucked behind a stack of sweaters.

It was a picture of us from Aaron’s graduation day.

I picked it up, and let my thumb brush over the glass. His family-the “legendary” Tyrones-hadn’t bothered to show up for him.

To them, a degree was worthless unless it was shaped like a hockey trophy. The only person who would have cared was his mother, but she was bedridden and couldn’t make the trip.

That left David and Aria, the closest family he had-but they didn’t show up either.

I found myself making excuses for them, hoping there was a damn good reason they hadn’t shown up.

I had been the only one in the stands cheering for him. In the photo, I was beaming, leaning into his side.

I had always thought Aaron looked stoic in this shot, but looking at it now through tear-filled eyes, I saw it. A faint, almost imperceptible tilt at the corner of his mouth. He was smiling.

The sight of it ached so badly I thought I might actually throw up. He looked so human there. So real.

Despite the visceral need to scrub him from my life, I couldn’t leave it.

I tucked the frame into the side pocket of my bag along with a few other gifts he’d bought me over the years.

I hated myself for it, but some ghosts are too heavy to leave behind.

Finally, the bags were packed. I stood in the center of the living room, my feet feeling like they were encased in lead.

It felt as if the apartment itself had grown invisible hands, clutching at my ankles, begging me to stay until he walked through the door to explain.

But I knew better. I’d seen the deck. I’d seen him with her.

I dragged my bags into the hallway. Just as I was about to pull the door shut for the last time, my phone erupted in my pocket.

I pulled it out to see his name flashing across the screen in bold, accusing letters.

I could almost see him; the restless, predatory pacing, the dark eyes darting around as he realized his “flower” had uprooted herself.

He had no right to look for me. He had no right to pretend he cared after what he’d done.

Without a second thought, I declined the call.

Then, I popped the SIM card tray, pulled out the little chip, and dropped it into the hallway trash can.

David had told me Aaron could track me with it, and I wasn’t taking any chances.

I was officially off the grid.

13:19 Mon, Jan 12

Chapter 58

I contemplated stopping at the diner to plead with Derek for my remaining paycheck.

59

65 your hars

I needed every cent. But Derek had never liked me; he’d likely just enjoy watching me beg before telling me to get lost.

I decided to rely on the modest savings I’d tucked away-money I’d kept for an emergency. This qualified.

I didn’t have a plan. I just knew I was leaving Florida. New Orleans was out; my parents were there, and I couldn’t handle going through abuse again.

Maybe Pittsburgh, I thought. It was cold, industrial, and as far away from the salt air and the memories as I could get.

I managed to haul my hefty suitcases down to the curb. They were heavy, but they weren’t nearly as weighted as the burden sitting in the center of my chest.

I hailed a taxi, and the driver helped me load the bags into the trunk without a word.

“Train station,” I croaked.

As we pulled away from the college, I watched the familiar palm trees and glass buildings disappear in the rearview mirror.

I had no idea where I’d sleep tomorrow night. I had no pre-made plans for a job or a home. But I’d survived Florida when I had nothing, and I’d survive whatever came next.

I sat back against the vinyl seat and closed my eyes.

I just hoped that this time, the script would be different. I hoped I’d never have to ask a man to let me live with him.

I hoped I wouldn’t fall for a bully, play the part of a “fake girlfriend,” or become a rebound for someone still haunted by his

first love.

I was done being a supporting character in Aaron Tyrone’s story.

It was time to start my own, even if the first chapter started in a train station with nothing but a broken heart and a stolen photograph.

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13:19 Mon, Jan 12