Chapter 5

Let Him Come

Jessica's POV

The moment the door clicked shut behind Jake, a cold shiver ran down my spine.

I could still feel his gaze lingering, heavy and possessive, as if he did left a shadow of himself behind.

My chest felt tight, and my fingers trembled despite my efforts to remain composed.

Rolda's hand on my shoulder calmed me. "You okay?" She asked, her voice calm but firm.

"I will be," I whispered, though my heart still pounded violently.

"He.... he won't leave me alone." I murmured to myself.

I paced the room, trying to steady my breathing, replaying his words.

"I'll be back, Jessy. I promise."

There was something in that promise that isn't just a threat but a warning.

Jake never gave up. Not on anything and definitely not on anyone.

Two years ago, I had walked away from him. Those were years of freedom, of rebuilding my life and trying to forget the man who had treated me like I was expendable.

I was nothing then more than a possession and now he had found me.

Though I wasn't surprised, the billionaire in him thrived on control,power, and I had been the one thing he couldn't control and that was unbearable for him.

Rolda shifted uneasily. "Jessy, he's dangerous. You can't just pretend he won't try to come back fully. You know him." Rolda mentioned in fear. I could see clear concern evident in her eyes.

I swallowed hard. I know him too well. I remembered the nights I cried alone,the constant belittling and empty promises.

I still couldn't forget his charm,the way he could twist words until they sounded like truth. He made me feel as though leaving him was impossible and that was why I had to be careful now.

I moved to the window, my eyes scanning the driveway where his black sleek car had been parked moments ago.

The street was quiet, as though the world itself was holding its breath. My mind raced with questions I couldn't give answers to.

I couldn't stop wondering how he found me and possible actions to protect myself from him.

While I was still thinking about this possibilities, a message pinged on my phone.

I picked it up expecting maybe a work notification or spam message, but it wasn't. 

It was from an unknown number and it read. "I know you're thinking about me. Don't pretend you don't feel the same. J"

My hands shook in fear as I read it. He was already testing the boundaries and breaking the walls I had carefully built around my life.

Rolda's eyes narrowed. "You can't let him do this, Jessy. You need a plan," she  mentioned, her eyes flickering through the message.

"I know," I said quietly,my voice low that I would barely hear myself. My voice was calm, but my mind was sprinting a mile a minute.

"I had escaped him once. I could do it again," I whispered softly.

The moment I decided to return to New York, I knew it wasn't going to be an easy side. But I was ready and I knew I needed to be smarter.

I sank into the couch, my hands clenching into my lap. Thoughts of the past thumped through me.

The thought of Jake coming back into my world,of being forced to relive the pain and humiliation I had endure made me shiver. And yet, deep inside, I felt a fire ignite a determination I hadn't realized I still possessed.

"He won't control me this time," I added with a final resolve. I won't be the same woman I was years ago.

Rolda sat across me, concern apparent in every line of her face.

"Do you want me to call Gabriel?" She asked.

Gabriel? Jake's best friend, a man I trusted more than anyone when it came to keeping safe. He had always been loyal and protective.

But I hesitated. I didn't want to drag him into this until I knew how far Jake would go.

"No," I said firmly.

"Not yet. I need to understand his game first." I added with certainty.

We sat in silence for a while,the kind that screams tension.

Every creak in the floorboards and distant car passing by made me jump a bit. It was impossible to ignore the feeling that something big was about to happen.

My phone rang again. Another message from the unknown number.

"I know I hurt you. I know I failed you. But I can make it right. Let me. J"

I threw the phone onto the couch, my chest tight with anger. The audacity of him!

The sheer confidence to believe he could undo two years of pain with words alone. My anger surged. He didn't get to walk back into my life and rewrite the past.

I got up and moved to the mirror, looking at my reflection. My hair was a mess, my eyes red from the stress, but the determination in my gaze was unmistakable. I had to stay tough and sharp.

I needed to look out for myself more than anything else.

"Rolda," I said, my voice was steadier now.

"We need a plan. I can't let him manipulate me again. Not with my heart or my life. If he's back, he's not just coming for me emotionally... I have a feeling this time, he's going to escalate," I muttered in confidently.

Rolda nodded solemnly. "We'll figure it out. We'll be ready," she said with clear resolve.

I went to the window again, scanning the empty street. But my gut told me he hadn't left entirely.

Jake was never one to give up, and he never acted half-heartedly. He would come at me with everything he had. I was very sure of that.

As I turned away, my phone pinged yet again. Another message, this one with a photo attached.

I opened it, and my stomach dropped. It was a photo of me, from outside my window. Someone had been watching.

I slammed the phone down and felt my blood run cold.

Rolda's eyes widened. "Jessy.... he's not just testing you. He's already inside your life again, in ways you don't see."

I dropped to the floor, my back against the couch, trying to steady my racing heart. I had to think clearly and anticipate his next move. This was no longer just emotional blackmail, this was strategy, and he was the master.

If he wants a war, he will get one, I thought grimly.

"Let him come," I breathed the words out.