Chapter 7: Coincidence
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i ne next morning, Jake saw Asner leaving my
room.
He scowled, his face dark. He had a hickey
on his neck, but he demanded, “Sarah, what
the hell is going on between you two?”
His question infuriated me.
Who was he to question me?
I didn’t notice Asher pause in the hallway.
He wanted to hear my answer.
“It’s none of your business.”
Asher and I could be fiancés, family, friends…
But our relationship was not Jake’s to
question.
I was starving. I turned to go downstairs and
ask Asher for some milk.
Jake grabbed my wrist.
He lowered his head, his voice softening.
“Sarah, tie my tie for me?”
I raised an eyebrow, looking at Lily hovering
nervously in the doorway.
L
“Can’t she do it?”
“She’s clumsy. Your Windsor knot looks much
better.”
We were standing too close.
It looked like he was embracing me.
Lily’s face paled, tears welling up. She ran
downstairs without a word.
I crossed my arms, my voice cold. “Aren’t you
going after her?”
Just one night, and Jake seemed tired of her
already.
He didn’t even glance at her. “Little girls are
so much trouble.”
“She’ll be fine after a while. Don’t worry about
her.”
I smiled faintly, my eyes cold.
I stepped closer and started tying his tie.
When he smiled, thinking he had everything
under control, I tightened the knot, choking
him.
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His eyes reddened, and he tried to pin me
against the wall.
But I pulled away, laughing. “Sorry, haven’t
done this in a while. Out of practice.”
I shrugged and headed downstairs, bumping
into Asher’s dark gaze.
He’d been standing there, holding a plate of
sandwiches, looking like he was about to
shatter.
He said softly, “Breakfast.”
My heart pounded. I felt flustered.
Breakfast was quiet.
Except for Jake’s leg constantly brushing
against mine under the table.
I moved away, disgusted, but he only pressed
closer.
Asher ate his breakfast in silence, his brow
furrowed.
After breakfast, Asher went to his study.
The moment the door closed, Jake and I were
L
alone again.
I flipped through the channels, landing on a
reality dating show.
A girl’s ex was grilling her after she went on a
date with another guy.
“I don’t believe you could move on so fast.”
I popped a blueberry into my mouth, the
tartness exploding on my tongue.
Jake stared at the screen, commenting, “She
still loves him. Why else would she keep
checking who he’s choosing?”
I looked at the persistent ex on the screen.
and said calmly, “Isn’t he the jerk? He’s the
one who broke up with her, and now he’s
upset that she’s moving on.”
Jake was speechless. After a moment, he
said, “He’s just worried she’ll make a bad
choice.”
I scoffed. “That’s unnecessary worry,
considering he’s not exactly… a prize.
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himself.”
I stood up and walked away.
Jake followed me.
He pulled the silver bracelet out of his pocket.
It gleamed under the light.
“Sarah, can’t you just let me have this? A
memento?”
“Would I ever do anything to hurt you?”
He frowned, looking helpless.
Did men only develop feelings for their exes
after breaking up with them?
I stepped forward, ready to snatch the
bracelet and throw it away again.
The phone rang.
It was Lily.
Jake hesitated, then answered.
Her soft cries were heart–wrenching.
“Jake, I’m so scared. Come get me, please.
There’s a group of men following me. I think
they’re the same ones who attacked you
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before. They have guns…”
Jake clenched his fists.
“Stay put, sweetheart. Find a safe place. I’m
coming.”
He rushed out.
A flicker of doubt crossed my mind.
I looked up, meeting Asher’s icy gaze from
the second floor.
Was it my imagination?
Or was Lily’s timing always… too perfect?
