Chapter 3
806 Words
...stood my biggest fear.
The air left my lungs instantly.
For a moment, the world around me seemed to fade into silence.
My smile froze on my face.
Jackson? He wasn't even the ex that had been haunting my dreams.
He was the last person I'd ever think about, because I thought he was dead.
He looked older now but still carrying that same confidence that had once pulled me into his orbit and nearly ruined my life.
I had convinced myself years ago that I would never see him again.
And now he was standing right next to my husband, in my living room.
My home.
My safe place.
Right in front of me.
Damian, completely unaware of the storm raging inside me, smiled proudly.
"Baby," he said, resting a hand on the stranger's shoulder. "Meet my business partner and old friend, Jackson."
Jackson's eyes remained fixed on mine.
Then he smiled.
Not the smile of a stranger.
Not the smile of someone seeing an old acquaintance after many years.
It was the smile of a man who knew exactly what he was doing.
A chill ran down my spine.
"It's nice to finally meet you," he said smoothly, extending his hand.
The words sounded so innocent that anyone watching would’ve sworn this was our first meeting.
I forced myself to move.
Forced myself to breathe.
Forced myself to place my trembling hand into his.
He tightened his grip slightly.
Not enough for Damian to notice,
But just enough for me to understand.
I swallowed hard.
"Nice to meet you too."
The lie tasted bitter on my tongue.
"See?" Damian laughed. "I told you two would get along."
If only he knew.
Jimi suddenly came back running into the living room again.
"Daddy!"
The little boy launched himself at Damian, who immediately scooped him into his arms.
Jackson watched the scene with mild amusement.
"So this must be the famous Jimi I've heard so much about."
Jimi grinned.
Damian chuckled.
And somehow that made everything worse.
Jackson had heard about my son.
My husband.
My life.
How much did he know?
How long had he known?
I excused myself and hurried toward the kitchen before the panic became visible.
My hands shook as I gripped the edge of the counter.
This couldn't be happening.
After all these years.
After everything I had worked so hard to build.
Why was he here?
What did he want?
A few moments later, Damian entered the kitchen.
"Babe?"
I quickly straightened.
"Hmm?"
"You okay?"
There it was again.
That look of concern.
That gentle worry he always had whenever something felt off.
I hated myself for lying to him.
"I'm fine."
"You sure?"
I nodded.
"Just tired."
He kissed my forehead.
"Don't stress yourself tonight, you are supposed to be relaxing."
Relaxing.
The irony nearly made me laugh.
Before I could respond, Damian's phone began ringing.
He glanced at the screen and sighed.
"I need to take this."
Of course he did.
A few seconds later, he disappeared into the hallway.
The moment he was gone, a voice spoke behind me.
"You still lie exactly the same way."
My entire body stiffened.
Slowly, I turned around.
Jackson was standing in the kitchen doorway.
The relaxed smile on his face made my stomach twist.
"What are you doing here?" I whispered.
His eyebrow lifted.
"Interesting."
"What?"
"Not 'How have you been?' Not 'It's been years.' or where have you been?"
His smile widened.
"Just straight to the interrogation."
I crossed my arms.
"What do you want, Jackson?"
For a moment, the amusement in his eyes faded slightly.
He studied me.
The wedding ring on my finger.
The family photos hanging nearby.
The life I had built without him.
Then he looked back at me.
"You look happy."
The statement somehow felt more threatening than a direct insult.
I lowered my voice.
"Answer the question."
"What are you doing here?... how are you even here?"
Jackson leaned casually against the doorway.
"I came here for business."
"That's a lie."
A brief laugh escaped him.
"Still very smart."
I hated how familiar that laugh sounded.
Hated how easily it dragged memories back to the surface.
"Listen carefully," I said. "Whatever happened between us ended years ago."
His gaze darkened slightly.
"I know."
"Then stay away from my family."
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then footsteps approached from the hallway.
Instantly, Jackson's expression transformed.
The dangerous familiarity vanished, and the charming stranger returned immediately damian walked back into the room.
"Sorry about that," Damian said.
Jackson smiled.
"No problem."
I stared at him in disbelief.
The man could switch masks in seconds.
And somehow that terrified me more than anything else.
Because if Jackson was willing to pretend this well...
Then I had no idea what game he was really playing.
- Writer
