When I Left, He Found His Way Back-Chapter 16: Saving Jessica

Liam’s POV

After leaving her parent’s place, I stopped by Jessica’s friend’s workplace, hoping to find her there. And I did.

From the entrance, I saw her attending to customers, her bright smile and infectious laughter captivating everyone around her. I felt an overwhelming urge to go in and speak to her, but I knew it wasn’t the best place. It was a workspace, and I didn’t want to disrupt her routine or make her uncomfortable.

So, I waited patiently, hiding in the opposite store, keeping a discreet eye on her. As their shift ended, she sat with her friend, chatting and laughing together. But as their conversation progressed, Jessica’s expression changed.

Her face contorted in pain, and her eyes welled up with tears. My heart ached, seeing her in distress. I wanted to rush over, wrap my arms around her, and soothe her pain away. But a nagging doubt held me back - what if I was the cause of her sorrow?

I’d always been, it seemed.

The thought lingered, making me hesitant. I continued to watch from afar, feeling helpless and uncertain. As Jessica and her friend parted ways, I knew I had to make a decision.

Should I approach her and risk potentially making things worse, or keep my distance? The internal conflict raged on, as I stalked her in the crowd, unsure of my next move.

She and her friend didn’t notice because they were engaged in a conversation.

I trailed behind Jessica’s cab, curiosity getting the better of me. Where was she headed? The direction wasn’t familiar, and it definitely wasn’t towards their home. My mind raced with possibilities.

As the cab pulled up at Starplus hotel, a surge of surprise ran through me. Kristen’s hotel? What was Jessica doing here? I parked discreetly, watching as she stepped out of the cab and into the lobby.

My eyes widened as she walked towards the elevator, and then, Kristen appeared and entered shortly. The hotel’s door closed behind him, leaving me stunned.

A mix of emotions swirled inside me - shock, confusion, and unease. What was going on? Jessica and Kristen? I couldn’t process the implications. My mind raced with questions. Was this a coincidence? A business meeting? Or something more?

Kristen had claimed to be Jessica’s boyfriend earlier at the airport, but I hadn’t bought it for a second. Now, as I stood by my car, frozen in stunned disbelief, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

Before me, the Starplus hotel loomed, its sleek glass and steel façade reflecting the fading light of day. My gaze drifted upwards, towards the elevator shaft on the building’s exterior. The transparent elevator offered an unintended glimpse into Jessica and Kristen’s private moment.

As I watched, Jessica wrapped her arms around Kristen, holding him close as they conversed. Their faces were inches apart, their expressions intense. Kristen’s eyes seemed to bore into Jessica’s, his gaze soft.

The elevator glided smoothly upwards, its ascent effortless and silent. As it rose, Jessica and Kristen’s figures grew smaller, their forms blurring into tiny silhouettes. The transparent elevator became a tiny rectangle, a speck of light amidst the towering hundred-story structure.

I remained frozen, my body rigid with rage. My fists clenched, nails digging deep into my palms, creating crescent-shaped indentations. The anger coursing through my veins threatened to consume me.

Suddenly, a metallic taste surged up my throat, bitter and acidic. I doubled over, my stomach convulsing. A wave of nausea washed over me, and I heaved, my body expelling its contents. frёeωebɳovel.com

Blood.

I spat out the crimson liquid, staining the ground. The coppery taste lingered, a harsh reminder of my escalating fury and my unhealthy body. My vision blurred, and for a moment, I felt lightheaded.

Breathing deeply, I struggled to regain control. The pain and anger swirled inside me, a toxic mix threatening to unleash chaos. I entered my car and gripped the steering wheel, my knuckles white, and forced myself to calm down.

"Have I truly lost her?"

The thought echoed through my mind like a haunting whisper. The words felt like a cold, harsh reality, a possibility I couldn’t bear to face.

I slumped back in my seat, my eyes fixed on the hotel’s entrance, as if searching for a glimpse of Jessica, a glimmer of hope. But the doors remained closed, shielding her from me, and my doubts.

Panic crept in, its icy fingers wrapping around my heart. Had I been blind to the signs? Had I let my own emotions cloud my judgment? The questions swirled, taunting me.

I thought back to the moments that had led to this point, the choices I’d made, the words I’d spoken. The memories stung, and I swallowed hard, trying to push down the lump forming in my throat.

"I’ve failed," I whispered, the words barely audible.

My eyes closed, as if in resignation, acknowledging the truth. My teeth clenched, jaw locked, trying to hold back the emotions threatening to spill over.

Regret washed over me, a tidal wave of what-ifs and maybes. What if I’d been a better husband? Maybe if I’d listened more to her than my lust? The questions swirled, taunting me with possibilities.

In the silence, I felt the sting of tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. I forced them back, unwilling to surrender to the emotion.

Suddenly, my brain jolted and my eyes snapped open.

"Kristen is not the right man for her," I whispered, conviction growing within me.

It couldn’t be him. Anyone but Kristen. The thought fueled a spark of determination.

My gaze shifted back to the building, my mind racing.

Kristen has a smooth tongue, he is calculating and manipulative. And what’s more, he’s evil, through and through, a beast out to kill the world. He doesn’t offer a smile without taking something more important in return. I knew his true nature, hidden beneath that polished exterior of his.

If Jessica’s done with me, then she deserved better. She deserved someone genuine, someone who would cherish and protect her. And that person was definitely not Kristen.

A resolve hardened within me. I wouldn’t let Kristen claim her without a fight.

With newfound purpose, I started the car, the engine roaring to life. I knew what I had to do.

"I won’t let him have her," I vowed, the words a promise to myself.

The city lights blurred as I pulled away from the curb, my sights set on saving Jessica from making the same mistake twice.

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