When I Stopped Running のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 51 - チャプター 60

Jake's Pov"Tell her I'm busy.""Sir, she says she won't leave."I looked up at my assistant, my eyes burning with exasperation.Of course she wouldn't. Linda had never been good at accepting boundaries."Fine."My assistant hesitated."Should I send her in?" She asked politely.I already knew what would happen if I said no. Linda would simply find another way inside."Yes." I replied.A few moments later, the office door opened. Linda walked in like she owned the building.She looked confident, and elegant. I returned my attention to the reports spread across my desk."You're getting harder to reach," She started, her eyes rested on me."That's usually what happens when people are working," I responded, while raising my eyes to meet hers. The last thing I wanted today was another pointless conversation.She dropped into the chair opposite me."I haven't seen you in weeks."I signed the document in front of me before speaking."Congratulations."Her lips pressed together. The silence

Jessica's PovThe room felt smaller now. Everyone was looking at me. I could feel their eyes judging me, weighing me, finding me guilty without a trial. The same people who had smiled at me hours ago now stared at me with doubt and suspicion."I didn't take anything." My voice came out steady even though my hands were shaking. I maintained my posture, trying not to let them see how frustrated I was."Liar, You stole the piece," A man uttered from the crowd.The words hit me like a punch. It stole my breath and reminded me of the past I had tried so hard to escape and work hard over the past months. I had rebuilt my reputation piece by piece. Proven myself at work. I had shown everyone how capable I was. Now it was all falling apart in seconds."Everyone, please stay calm." Mr. Bernard's voice cut through the noise with authority. "We will sort this out," He added."Sort what out?" A woman shouted from the crowd. Her expensive dress shimmered under the lights as she pointed at me. "Th

Jessica's POV"Jessica... I'm sorry."The words hit me before I sat down.Mr. Bernard's office felt smaller today. The blinds hung half-drawn. Pale light fell across his desk. He looked tired. His tie hung loose. Dark circles sat under his eyes.I stood in front of his desk. Hands clasped behind my back. It was old habit. Holding myself straight so I wouldn't break."Please sit," he said."What happened?" I asked while still standing.He rubbed his forehead. "The board met this morning. The charity organizers called. They want action.""I didn't take the painting," I uttered in my defence."I know." Mr.Bernard replied with sincerity."Then why am I here?" I asked.He leaned forward. His voice dropped. "I can't stop this alone. Public pressure is building. The hotel's reputation—""So you're firing me," I asked in disbelief. "No." He said it firmly. "I'm suspending you. Indefinitely. With pay."The relief I expected never came. This felt worse. Like they wanted to believe me, but coul

Jessica's Pov"Miss Wilson?"I looked up from the résumé I'd been rewriting. The words blurred together on the screen. I'd changed the font three times, but one of it mattered.Rolda's apartment was quiet. She'd gone to work hours ago. I'd stayed behind, cleaning her kitchen twice, folding laundry that wasn't mine, doing anything to keep my hands busy. I refused to sit around waiting.Another knock came. It was harder this time.I walked to the door and pulled it open and Mr. Bernard stood there.His suit was rumpled and he held a paper bag that smelled like pastries.I blinked. "Sir?""I brought breakfast." He held up the bag. "I wasn't sure if you'd eaten."I stepped aside and let him in. He looked around Rolda's small living room. Took in the mismatched furniture, the stack of books on the floor and even the faded curtains.Then he sat down on the couch without being asked. I closed the door and turned to face him."Why are you here?" I asked instantly.He set the bag on the coffee

Jake's PovThe address Marcus gave me led to a building on the outskirts of the city. Old brick, with graffiti on the walls. The windows covered with newspaper.I sat in the back of my car across the street as I watched the entrance."He's been inside for three hours," Marcus said from the passenger seat. "Hasn't left.""He knows we're here?" I asked curiously."He knows someone's watching. He's not stupid."I moved forward, while squinting through the windshield."Then let's stop waiting," I added.The stairwell smelled like stale beer and cigarette smoke. I climbed to the third floor, while Marcus followed behind me.It was Apartment 3B. The paint was peeling off the door and a single light bulb flickered above us.I knocked, but no one answered. I went ahead to knock harder."I know you're in there," I called out. "Open the door."Silence stretched for several seconds, then I heard movement. It was slow footsteps, before I heard a chain sliding across and then the door cracked open