All Chapters of When I Stopped Running : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Jessica's POV"You stayed."The words left my mouth the moment I walked into the living room the next morning.Jake looked up from the couch. He hadn't even bothered pretending to sleep.His tie was gone. The top buttons of his shirt were undone. One arm rested across the back of the couch while a half-empty cup of coffee sat on the table beside him.The sight irritated me immediately. This was Rolda's cottage and not his.Yet somehow he managed to look completely at home.Jake glanced at me. "You sound disappointed," he said calmly."I sound surprised," I replied sharply.He gave a small shrug. "Somebody got into the house," he reminded me."And?" I asked."And I wasn't leaving." The certainty in his voice made my stomach tighten.Not because I was touched, but because of the memories from his tone.That was the same tone Jake used whenever he had already made a decision for both of us.I walked past him and headed toward the kitchen.Rolda was already there making breakfast.The sme

Jessica's POV "Miss Wilson, the Hendersons are asking for directions to Central Park again."I blinked as I stared in confusion."What?" I asked.The young bellboy frowned before speaking again."The Hendersons." He pointed toward the elderly couple standing near the lobby entrance."They said you told them yesterday," he added.Heat crept into my face as realisation struck in."Oh," I whispered while forcing a smile."Right," He muttered.The problem was I remembered telling them. I just couldn't remember if it was yesterday or this morning.The last few days had blurred together.The incident in my home, coupled with Jake had all struck deeply within me.Everything sat inside my head like a storm refusing to pass.I grabbed a brochure and headed toward the couple.Thankfully, they were kind enough not to notice my distraction. Or maybe they did and simply chose not to mention it.Either way, I appreciated it, and once I finished helping them, I returned to the concierge desk.The

Jake's POV "Your blood pressure is finally normal."I looked up from my seat as Gabriel spoke to the elderly man sitting across from him.The patient chuckled."My wife says it's because she's stressing me less," The patient replied.Gabriel laughed."I highly doubt that," he added.The old man grinned before standing from his chair.After a few final instructions, Gabriel walked him to the door and shook his hand.The moment the patient left, Gabriel turned toward me.His eyes narrowed instantly."Jesus," He said instantly.I frowned."What?" I asked sharply."You look terrible," He stated.I rolled my eyes."Good to see you too.""I'm serious," He persisted.He closed the file in his hands and studied me properly. There was no judgment in his face, just concern.The kind only a friend could get away with showing.Gabriel gestured toward the hallway."Come on."I followed him toward his office.A few nurses greeted him as we passed.He responded to each one before pushing open his o

Jessica's POV "Mr. Bernard wants to see you."The moment Clara said those words, my stomach dropped in fear.I looked up from the concierge desk."What did I do now?" I asked quickly.Clara frowned, her eyes locked to mine."Why are you assuming it's bad news?""Because nobody gets summoned to the boss's office for fun," I replied in certainty.She laughed softly, but I couldn't laugh.The past few weeks had been exhausting enough. I was still trying to focus at work and move past all that's happening around me.The walk to Mr. Bernard's office felt unusually long.By the time I reached the door, I had already convinced myself that a guest had complained about me.I knocked gently."Come in," I heard from within.Mr. Bernard looked up from his desk.His expression immediately confused me. I could tell he looked pleased.That alone made me suspicious as I closed the door behind me."You wanted to see me?" I asked carefully."Sit down, Jessica."I obeyed reluctantly.A thick folder res

Jake's POV The moment I heard Roman's name, I stopped reading.My eyes remained fixed on the report in front of me.I was completely stunned and for several seconds, I couldn't move or speak, my eyes focused on a point and then slowly, I looked up."What did you just say?" I asked sharply, I could feel a lump on my throat.The investigator sitting across from my desk shifted uncomfortably."He arranged it." He added.A dangerous calm settled over me."What exactly did he arrange?" I questioned, holding my breath as I anticipated the worse."The job opportunity." He answered.My jaw tightened instantly, and for a brief moment, I wondered if I had heard wrong.But unfortunately, I hadn't.Roman Stone, had done what I had expected of him.I dropped the report onto my desk.The papers scattered slightly and the investigator wisely stayed silent.My eyes were burning with fury now as spoke."How long?" The question came out low."Several days," He replied. My heart thumped hard at his wo