CHAPTER EIGHT

"Did something happen between us?" I finally gained the courage to ask.

Jake raised an eyebrow, amused. "No, nothing happened. I don't take advantage of drunk girls," he said, handing me a cup of coffee. “I prefer when a woman is fully aware, savoring the pleasure she deserves.”

"I couldn't help but giggle, my cheeks instantly flushing. Jake’s confidence was disarming, but I appreciated his directness. Then, his tone softened, and he added, "Besides, I don’t think you’re in a good place right now... you know, with your husband leaving and all."

My stomach dropped. "Oh my God, did I tell you about that?"

"Yeah," Jake nodded, his gaze sympathetic. "That's pretty much all you talked about. You were sobbing in your sleep."

Humiliation washed over me like a tidal wave. "I’m so sorry," I muttered, shaking my head. I hated feeling weak and especially hated unloading my problems onto someone I barely knew.

Jake shrugged casually, his tone light. "No need to apologize. I’m sorry it happened to you."

I was mortified but tried to play it off. "I need to go," I blurted out, trying to focus on anything but the embarrassment bubbling inside me. Just then, a thought struck me. "oh, My car is still parked at the club!."

Jake pointed toward the dresser. "Already handled. Your car's in the basement. Keys are right there."

I blinked, stunned. "You had someone bring my car?"

He gave me a boyish grin. "I figured you’d want it back."

My heart softened a little at his thoughtfulness. "That was... really nice of you. Thank you." I paused, biting my lip, unsure if I wanted to ask the next question. "Why are you being so nice to me? We barely know each other."

Jake tilts his head and pulls himself closer to me, his eyes twinkling with something unreadable. "Well, for one, you're a beautiful woman. And if it weren’t for all the stuff you're dealing with, trust me, I’d have already taken advantage of you.”

The air thickens with unspoken tension and I knew I needed to escape this intoxicating moment.

I swallowed my bacon hard, feeling a mix of gratitude, and turned on at the same time.

"I need to leave," I said, standing up and grabbing my bag.

"I have my very complicated life to deal with. I had a bit of an episode yesterday and trashed my apartment."

Jake didn’t try to stop me, but his gaze held mine for a beat too long. "Are you sure you can't stay a bit longer?"

"I can't," I said, forcing a smile. "Thanks for breakfast, though. And for everything."

He walked me to the door, his hand brushing mine briefly as he handed over my keys. His touch was warm, igniting a spark. For a split second, I felt a pull, a dangerous one.

"Take care of yourself, Racheal," he said softly, his blue eyes locking onto mine.

I nodded, pulling the door open before I could second-guess myself. "I will. Thanks again, Jake."

As I walked towards the lift, I could feel his eyes on my back, the weight of unspoken possibilities lingering between us. But I couldn't afford distractions. Not now. Not with my life in ruins and Jack's betrayal still fresh. I had to focus on picking up the pieces, even if part of me wondered what it would be like just to let go and fall into something or someone new.

I got into my car and sat there for a moment, gripping the steering wheel. Jake’s words still echoing in my mind, and somehow I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn’t the last time I’d see him. But for now, I had to push all of that aside. I had bigger problems to face.

With one last glance in the rearview mirror, I started the engine and drove off, the weight of my shattered marriage pulling me back to reality.

As I drove home, my thoughts kept drifting back to Jake. It was maddening, really. Here I was, in the throes of heartbreak, yet my mind was fixated on a man I had only just met. A stranger, really. He was handsome, no doubt about that, and his chivalry had struck a chord with me in ways I hadn’t expected. But why was I thinking about him? This was ridiculous. I had far bigger problems to deal with, yet I couldn’t shake the strange pull I felt toward him.

It didn’t make sense. I was supposed to be grieving the collapse of my marriage, not fantasizing about someone else. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, forcing myself to snap out of it. I had a habit of running away from my problems, of burying the painful truth under whatever temporary distractions I could find. This wasn’t the time for that.

I sighed, staring out at the road ahead.

What the hell was I going to do now? Jack had taken care of everything. Our bills, our home, even me.

When we got married, he convinced me to quit my job.

“You don’t need to work,” he’d said with that confident smile of his.

 “I’ve got more than enough for the both of us. You’ll never have to lift a finger.” And like the lovestruck fool I was, I agreed. I thought it was romantic, i thought it was how love was supposed to be. Now, I was paying the price for that naivety.

What was I even good at? I hadn’t worked in years. All I knew how to do was take care of Jack. And now he was gone. I had to face it, and I was completely unprepared for this. My future was a blank canvas, but not in the exciting way people usually described it. This was a terrifying void. I had no plan, no income, no stability. The weight of it all settled over me, pulling me deeper into my thoughts.

As I pulled up to the building, something felt off. There was a strange tension in the air, like the moment right before a storm broke. I parked and stepped out, and that’s when I saw my belongings. My stomach twisted into knots as I stared at the pile of boxes and bags outside the door to the penthouse. My things were out on the street.

“What the hell was this?”

My heart pounded in my chest as I rushed toward the door. It was wide open, and through it, I could see the wreckage from last night. Broken glass, shattered frames, remnants of the emotional hurricane I’d unleashed in my drunken rage. But that wasn’t the most shocking part.

Standing in the middle of the chaos was Jack.