I Fell for the Man Who Ruined Me, Then He Forgot He Ever Loved Me Back novel Chapter 157

Checking the time on her phone screen.

Jorrod had been gone for over ten minutes. He should be heading back right about now...

She casually sent a text: [Did you get them?]

-

When Jorrod received the message, he was standing in line at the convenience store checkout.

The screen illuminated.

Reading the text, he quickly typed back.

[Mhm, still in line. It's crowded, so it's taking a bit longer.]

[I'll be home soon.]

Right as he hit send, it was his turn at the register.

Jorrod didn't buy much—just tossed two small boxes onto the counter. He also picked up a cup of Sienna's favorite ice cream.

After paying, he shoved the small boxes into his pocket and carried the ice cream in a plastic bag.

It was just before nine o'clock.

Jorrod stepped out of the store.

Standing at the intersection, he looked toward the direction of the villa.

Thinking of the person waiting for him at home, the corners of his lips curved up.

But the moment Jorrod stepped forward with his left foot.

A blinding flash of white light violently tore through the darkness.

A white sedan roared past, practically grazing his body. The violent gust of wind whipped his coat tails, and the engine's deafening roar pierced his ears so sharply it triggered a sudden, high-pitched ringing.

Jorrod froze completely, the ice cream slipping from his grasp to splatter onto the pavement, soaking through the plastic bag.

His head throbbed, his heart hammering against his ribs. For several long seconds, his mind was utterly paralyzed by the terrifying replay of what had just happened.

A vibration in his pocket snapped him out of his daze.

Assuming it was Sienna, Jorrod pulled out his phone, only to see two text messages from an unknown number.

[Jorrod, I got you a birthday gift.]

[Tonight only. I guarantee you'll be satisfied. I'm waiting for you here.]

At the end of the text was an address.

His grip on the phone slowly tightened. Jorrod squeezed his eyes shut, forcing down the violent adrenaline spike from the near-miss.

The streetlights carved a path of light through the pitch-black night, casting a long, stretched shadow on the pavement. The shadow moved sluggishly—slower and slower.

Finally, it stopped completely.

Jorrod pulled out his phone and sent Sienna a text.

[I'm going to be a little late.]

Then, he turned around and headed toward the address in the text.

The location wasn't too far away.

But when Jorrod arrived at the destination, he realized there was no one around. The air was empty save for the howling wind, which whipped against his ears until they stung.

He pulled out his phone and typed a message.

[Where are you.]

Almost immediately, his phone rang.

Jorrod stared at the string of numbers on the screen. The perfectly standard digits somehow looked twisted and menacing in his eyes.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and he answered the call.

"I see you. Turn around."