Silence Reveals Hidden Answers’ by Michael Anderson novel Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Jennifer Marie.

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“You broke up with your boyfriend already?” Mom says, in the glass-walled mansion where she lives with her rich husband. Everything she says bounces off the glass, echoing so loud that my stepdad, Kevin, hears it while he’s on a phone call and walks toward us.

Obviously, she already knew. This whole lunch was Dad’s idea…his solution to get me to eat and talk to someone, since I’ve been shutting everyone out. I haven’t told her why we broke up, and I swear, I’ll take that part to the grave. Kevin, my step-dad works for high-level security authorities.

Mom didn’t ask for his help with Dad’s situation because she wouldn’t want her ex-husband and her new husband tangled up. But if I tell her I dated someone capable of what Harvey did… it would unleash a whole different kind of chaos.

I just stop poking at the melted ice cream in my bowl.

“We don’t have to talk about it. Plus, I know Dad already told you, so you can stop pretending it’s breaking

news.”

I look at the whole spread on the table…freaking lobster, oysters, fancy salads. I’ve been forcing myself to eat again, even though my appetite is basically dead. At least I can now swallow something.

“He was your first boyfriend, Jennifer.”

I look up at her but don’t answer. She just got back from the golf club with Kevin, so her hair is still perfectly styled, not a strand out of place.

“It’s my fault. I raised you indoors.”

“It’s not your fault,” I whisper, pushing a piece of lettuce around.

“Are you in love with him? You mentioned he was your best friend, though I don’t remember you having a male best friend.”

“Can we not talk about him?” I drop the fork. It clatters louder than I mean it to.

“You’re going through a breakup, baby. You have to talk it out. Kevin, tell her.” She looks at my stepdad, who just gives a vague, uncomfortable smile as he sits down.

“What exactly did he do?” Kevin asks, trying to sound neutral. “Is it something that can be fixed-”

“It can’t!”

The force in my voice makes my mom’s eyes widen. She immediately thinks the worst…the absolute worst. “Did he cheat on you?”

I don’t even know how to say no. Saying ‘no’ would require an explanation, and I can’t give one. I just grab my bag from the chair next to me.

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Chapter 62

“Wait, wait. Lucas is on his way here.”

“Who’s Lucas!?”

“He’s Gabriella’s friend. You remember Gabriella, don’t you?”

“Your best friend?” I ask, already standing up.

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“Yes.” My mom chuckles, a light, socialite sound. “He’s a doctor. Works at the biggest hospital, youngest director they’ve ever had. A decent young man. No tattoos, no other… complications.”

“Mom.”

“Sometimes, a little normal is what you need.” She says and I just stare. Where did she even get that from!? “You’re young, and you think you like the sex rough and…and dangerous. But I assure you, normal guys like Lucas are what you need, Jennifer. Not casino owners. Or Prescotts, for that matter.”

I close my eyes for a second and take a deep breath. I can’t even.

“Mom, I’m going through a breakup, and you’re setting me up with your friend’s son? Are you listening to your wife?” I look at Kevin, hoping for backup, but he just gives a helpless shrug. What was I expecting?

“Well, your father asked me for help. This is the help I’m giving. Just talk to him. Not a date, just to get to know him.”

“I’m done for the day, and the last thing I need is to make polite conversation with a random guy. I’m going back to my apartment. I’m going to watch a sad movie, and then I’m going to bed so I can do it all again tomorrow. Bye.”

I start walking toward the grand foyer.

“Jennifer!” I can hear her heels clicking quickly behind me as I step out into the bright afternoon. “Jennifer? If you don’t want this, will you at least be available for the mother-daughter soirée at the garden club? It’s going to be beautiful. You know we haven’t had proper bonding time. It’ll get your mind off things.”

I turn on my car and reverse out of my mom’s pristine neighborhood. I cried less today, so I think I’m getting better at this. I think it’s not hurting as much.

When I think about how Reign came forward and told me everything right in front of my dad…not even giving me a chance to shield the man who almost died from a heart attack.

I…I just hate the memory all over again. What’s worse is now I know who the stalker was, too. Reign or wether he sent someone. Is that why Harvey hated him so much from the very beginning? The jet… Jenna coming in while Harvey and I were together… all of that nonsense. She was bent on making sure I knew Harvey used to date her.

He didn’t cheat on me, but he can never have my trust again.

I’m getting better at thinking about it. On the first day, it felt like I needed to pull my own hair out. Now, it feels… manageable. As long as I don’t have to see either of them, I’ll be fine.

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Chapter 62

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As I pull into my building’s underground parking and get out, I see Tinka’s message pop up on my phone. She’s telling me she made some cupcakes and asking if I want some. Why is everyone trying to feed me?

I’m about to enter the elevator when I see movers carrying furniture inside. I end up sharing the elevator with one of them, and he presses the button for the 28th floor.

My floor.

As soon as the doors open, I step out first and move to the side. There, I see it’s the third door on the left that the appliances are going into. The door is wide open. I walk past it toward my own suite. There’s another door right across from mine, too, but I’ve been too busy nursing a broken heart to notice if the former neighbour has moved out since I got back from Italy.

Just as I’m about to unlock my door, Anita from building management spots me.

“Oh, Jennifer, hi!” she chirps.

I force a small smile. “Hi.”

“I saw the coverage of the wedding dress you did for the Prescott wedding! Jaw dropping.” She gushes, and while I’m thankful, I really just want to disappear inside.

“You have two new neighbours! One is a male…a hot-looking male with tattoos and all that. He’s got the girls in the building swooning all over him since he rode the elevator to check the place out almost two weeks ago.” She giggles, and I try not to roll my eyes. I am so done with men, and especially men with tattoos.

“Oh, and here is your other new neighbour. Let’s do a quick introduction!” Anita says brightly.

But I don’t care to meet anyone.

I look and the person who steps out from the open door across the hall is JENNA!

Feeling homely, wearing a light pink robe with a smile on her face like she isn’t a poisonous snake from the wilderness. I look away for a second, then back, hoping I’m seeing things.

“Hi, Jennifer.” she waves.

“Oh, you two know each other already?” Anita asks.

“Of course. We met in Italy.” Jenna smiles again.

“Whoa-”

“Um, Anita. Can you come back in, say, thirty minutes? The movers are crowding the area a bit. When they’re done, we can talk.”

“Got it!” Anita gives a little wave and heads back toward the elevator.

I immediately turn back to my door, fumbling with my keys cause my automatic thumb lock is not answering. My hands are shaking.

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Chapter 62

“Jennifer.”

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“Stop!” I whirl to face her and anger rising hot in my throat. I jab the key at the lock, but it won’t turn. Stupid door.

“I’m not trying to get in your hair-”

“You’re not!? So was it Santa Claus who was busy planting your panties on Harvey’s bed!?”

She stops and decides to smile again.

“I’m not done with him. You can have him! But if you have to do all this…” I gesture vaguely at her, at the movers, “then I don’t think he wants you, does he?”

I mean to make her angry. Instead, her smile turns pitying.

“You know what they say,” Jenna takes a step closer to me. “A man never forgets his first love.”

“Well, that was me. So-”

“I’m not so sure you see.” She pouts at me. “I mean, he moaned my name when I took his virginity. Ugh, poor Harvey was so new at it, didn’t know what he was feeling as he rocked his army hips. I rode him gently. I felt him come inside me, and that’s when he said, ‘Jen, I want you.’ Our names are so alike… we can never know if he was talking about you, or me.”

I have no words. I didn’t expect this. I just feel… gutted. I thought I wouldn’t be crying anymore but that’s all

“Yeah,” she continues as if we’re just chatting. “It’s obvious you’re done with him. But I need to make sure he’s done with you, too. That’s why I’m here. No hard feelings…”

I don’t even understand what she means by that. Why would she move here just to make sure Harvey is over

me?

The question is answered the second the elevator dings open again.

And Harvey steps out.

I look at the door across from mine. Anita said some handsome guy with tattoos got the room next door. I look back at him.

He moved in here!?

Just as his eyes land on Jenna talking to me, he takes a step toward us but my key finally works. I don’t wait another second. I shove inside my apartment and slam the door shut.

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