The Storm Between Them
435 Words
Chapter 33: The Storm Between Them
Lena stood in the hallway, her hand frozen just inches from Jay’s office door. She knew she shouldn’t be here. But her heart wouldn’t stop pounding, and the nagging voice in her head refused to quiet.
After what she’d seen last night—the photograph of that woman—something had cracked inside her.
She needed answers.
With a breath she didn’t feel herself take, she pushed the door open.
The room was dim, lit only by the moonlight that spilt through the half-drawn blinds. Jay’s desk was clean. Too clean. Like someone had wiped away the truth.
But then she saw it.
A drawer, half-closed. Inside, tucked between some folders was a small, leather-bound notebook.
She hesitated.
This was wrong.
But she opened it anyway.
The pages were filled with scribbles. Names. Places. Symbols she didn’t understand. But one thing stood out—a name written more than once.
Ava.
Below it is a message:
> “If they ever find out about her… I lose everything.”
Lena’s breath caught.
Her?
Did he mean her as in Ava? Or… her, Lena?
Before she could think further, the sound of footsteps behind her made her whirl around.
Jay.
He stood there, his jaw tight, his eyes unreadable.
“What are you doing in here?” His voice was low. Dangerous.
“I—I was looking for something,” she said, not meeting his gaze. “Maybe the truth.”
His eyes darkened.
“You don’t belong in here, Lena.”
“Then where do I belong, Jay?” she snapped. “You say you’re protecting me, but from what? From you? From your past? From that woman?”
He stepped closer, his face inches from hers. “You don’t know what you’re asking.”
“Then tell me,” she challenged. “Tell me who Ava is. Tell me why you keep secrets like they’re weapons.”
His gaze flickered. For the first time, he looked… tired. I'm not angry. I'm just tired.
“She was part of something I can’t erase,” he said softly. “And if I could go back, I would’ve never let you near me.”
Lena’s chest tightened. “But you did.”
Silence stretched between them.
Then, almost imperceptibly, Jay lifted his hand and brushed her cheek. It was a soft, broken gesture—one that screamed everything he couldn’t say.
But he didn’t kiss her. Didn’t pull her close.
Instead, he walked past her, his voice like gravel as he said, “Get out of my office, Lena.”
- Writer
