All Chapters of My Ex's Best Friend Is My Fake Boyfriend: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

I couldn't stop thinking about the note.You trust Jake because you don't know what he did for Ethan.The words followed me through every class.Even when I tried to focus on the teacher, my mind kept returning to them.What had Jake done?Why had Ethan chosen him?And why did everyone seem to know something I didn't?When the final bell rang, I packed my books quickly.I needed answers.But before I could leave, someone slipped a hand into mine.I looked up.Jake.“Hey.”“Hey.”He studied my face.“You've been quiet all day.”“I've been thinking.”“About the note?”I nodded.He sighed.“I understand.”“Do you?”“Yes.”“Then tell me what you know.”His expression became serious.“I've told you everything I remember.”“Everything?”“As far as I know.”I searched his eyes.I wanted to believe him.“I don't want secrets anymore.”“You won't get any.”He squeezed my hand.“Come with me.”“Where?”“You'll see.”Jake led me away from the school.We walked several blocks before stopping outs

I couldn't forget Chloe's smile.It followed me all the way home.It wasn't the smile of someone who had just lost.It was the smile of someone who knew a secret.And that scared me more than her anger ever had.I sat on my bed, staring at my phone.No new messages.For once, there was silence.I should have been relieved.Instead, I felt uneasy.My phone buzzed.Jake: Did you get home safely?I smiled.Me: Yes.A second message appeared.Jake: Good. I was worried.I typed a reply.Me: You worry too much.His response came immediately.Jake: Only about you.I smiled at the screen.Then another message appeared.Unknown: Enjoy him while you can.My smile vanished.I stared at the message.Before I could respond, another arrived.Unknown: Tomorrow. Library. Come alone.My heart started pounding.I should have ignored it.I knew that.But curiosity won.I replied.Me: Who are you?Three dots appeared.Then disappeared.No answer.I locked my phone.Whatever was happening, I was tired of

I stared at Ethan, unable to move.Someone close to my family.The words felt heavier than they should have.“What do you mean, someone close to my family?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Ethan stepped inside my room and closed the door behind him. His expression was unusually serious, and for the first time since everything had started, I could tell he wasn't trying to protect himself or make excuses.“I don't know who it is,” he admitted. “But I found something that might help us figure it out.”He pulled an old envelope from his jacket and handed it to me.I looked at my name written across the front.My stomach tightened.“Where did you get this?”“It was sent to my house.”I opened it carefully, pulling out several printed messages. The first one was dated two weeks before my breakup with Ethan.End the relationship, or she will find out the truth.My fingers trembled as I read the next one.Do not involve the police. Do not tell Emma. Do not trust anyone.I looked at

I stared at the final message until the words blurred.But I can.Whoever was behind the messages wasn't simply watching me anymore. They were trying to make me believe they were the only person capable of protecting me.Jake looked at my phone again, his expression hardening.“Block the number.”I hesitated.“Why?”“Because whoever this is wants you to be scared.”I nodded and blocked it.For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.Then Jake looked at me.“Are you staying alone tonight?”“I'll be fine.”“Emma.”“I'll be fine.”He sighed.“I know you're trying to be strong, but you don't have to do everything alone.”I looked at him.“Stay?”His expression softened.“Of course.”We sat in the living room while my mother remained upstairs. She had barely spoken since Jake arrived.I leaned against the couch, watching the clock.“Do you ever feel like our lives changed overnight?” I asked.Jake smiled faintly.“Mine did.”“How?”He looked at me.“When you asked me to fake-date you.”I smile

I stared at the letter in my mother's hands, unable to process what I had just heard.Never let Emma trust the Knight family.The words seemed to swallow every happy memory I had of Jake.His smile.His hand in mine.Our first kiss.The way he'd promised that he would never leave me.How could the boy I loved be connected to something my father had feared enough to write about?“Mom,” I whispered, “why would Dad write that?”She shook her head.“I don't know.”“You must know something.”“I don't.”“Then why are you so afraid?”Her eyes filled with tears.“Because your father was terrified before he died.”The room became painfully quiet.Chloe stepped closer.“What happened to Emma's father?”My mother looked at her.“He was investigating Richard's death.”I frowned.“You told me Dad thought Richard's death wasn't an accident.”“Yes.”“And then Dad died too.”She nodded slowly.“Two years later.”A chill ran through me.“What happened?”“He was driving home one evening when another ca