Chapter 39
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Fiona
After a surprisingly pleasant day at work, and a nice dinner with Ethan, I drive home with a gooey, warm feeling in my body. Throughout the whole day, Ethan was extra attentive, making sure I had anything I needed or stopping by my desk at random times. It’s different from his hovering yesterday, though.”
This time was a softer hovering, like he was doing it without meaning to. It wasn’t the aggressive stares or awkward checkups like yesterday.
I felt like he was really paying attention to me, like I’d asked him to.
At one point, I’d asked him for help on replying to a former client who reached out. As he stood behind me, dictating what I should say to them in the email, I felt his fingers playing with the ends of my hair.
I didn’t say anything because he didn’t seem to realize he’d been doing it, but I actually liked the small touch. It was intimate and unusual for Ethan.
It was a sign that we can make this strange relationship work, and maybe we could even grow into something more.
Smiling, I pull into my driveway, which is when I see someone standing on my porch.
Jessica spins around when my car cuts off, her face red and her body tense. I look around, and when I don’t see Jack anywhere, I relax a bit. Only a little, though, because nothing good can come from Jessica being here in any capacity. I can’t imagine why she would venture out to find me at my house.
I hadn’t done anything to get her attention lately, so as I climb out of my car, I decide to quickly tell her to leave. I don’t want to fight with her today or any day, but this was the best day I’ve had in a while, and I don’t need her ruining it like she always does.
“Jessica, there is no reason you should be here,” I announce while pulling my keys out of my purse. It’s true. She should be off somewhere with Jack screwing each other to hell.
I pause for a moment, realizing that the thought of them together doesn’t bother me like it did at first. The painful ache in my chest has subsided, and even though I’m still mad they did what they did, it doesn’t hurt as much anymore.
“Like hell there isn’t!” She screeches. “You think you’re so untouchable now that you’re sleeping with Ethan Montgomery, don’t you?” The sneer she sends my way is fierce, but I only cross my arms and glare back.
“I don’t see how that has anything to do with you, Jessica. Leave my house and don’t
me back,” I tell her, unlocking my front door. I slip inside, ready to close the door when she shoves against it, making me stumble back.
Then, she follows me in, slamming the door behind me.
“You blame me for ruining your life, Fiona, but it’s the other way around. If you would just let it go, I could be happy,” she yells, her face turning more and more red as she rants. It’s the same thing she’s been saying since I found out she never liked me, but why today?
“I don’t speak stupid, Jessica, so whatever you’re trying to tell me,” I say, waving my hand in the air, “Just tell me straight and get out of my house.”
She gapes, her jaw dropping open as she stands there momentarily stunned.
“Y–You did this to me! How selfish are you?!”
I raise a brow, sincerely not understanding what the heck she’s talking about. I haven’t talked to her in a while, and I haven’t been keeping up with anything she’s been doing.
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“Jessica, no matter what you think, you’re not the center of the world. I have more important things to do than worry about what you’re doing, so get out of my house and get off my property,” I order, pointing at the door behind her. I narrow my eyes in my best imitation of Ethan’s fierce glare, but I know I’m not as intimidating as him.
“It’s your fault I lost my money and now I’ve been demoted at work!” She yells, lunging forward and shoving me back. The sudden aggression catches me off guard, and I fall back, my butt hitting the hard floor.
“What the hell, Jessica!?” I scream. “How is you getting demoted related to me?” I force myself to my feet and face her, keeping a closer eye on her. I won’t let her put her hands on me again. She has no right to hurt me.
Besides, I don’t have any connection to the law firm other than my divorce and inheritance cases. She may be with Jack and work at the firm, but other than that, Jessica isn’t anywhere close to my priorities list.
“That stupid report! You told Ethan that I messed with it, and he demoted me to work as a receptionist for the junior lawyers!”
She wails like it’s the worst thing in the world. Like a toddler, she stomps her foot, and her words finally sink in. The report.
“You’re the one who sabotaged the report? Jessica, that was one of the biggest mistakes you could’ve ever made,” I tell her. Doesn’t she realize how bad that was? “You’re lucky Ethan didn’t fire you or sue you! You almost set his company back where he would’ve lost a lot of money.”
Her mouth opens and closes like a fish gasping for water, and if it weren’t so pathetic, I’d laugh.
“Honestly, Jessica, I didn’t know you tampered with the report until you admitted it,” I tell her, crossing my arms over my chest. I can only imagine why she did it, but in the end, Ethan caught her.
“Because you ruin everything, Fiona. I wanted to let you taste your own ruin,” Jessica spits. Her delusions are so large she can’t see what’s right in front of her.
“I’ve had plenty of your stupidity for a lifetime, Jessica, so just leave.”
“Everything would be better if you just disappeared,” she snarls, moving toward me again. This time, I’m prepared. When she raises her hand to hit me, I catch her wrist and swing my hand.
The loud crack that echoes through the house when my palm connects with her face is so satisfying, but not as satisfying as her screech of pain. She staggers back, nearly falling on the floor before catching herself on the wall and staring at me with the most amusing surprised expression.
I’d never truly fought back against her, and it felt so good.
“What? Did you think I’d stand here and let you play the blame game and push me into a corner? Get a grip, Jessica. I’m not the one making terrible life choices here. You are, and if you don’t check yourself, you’re going to end up destroying yourself in the process.”
I take two steps toward her, backing her up against the wall.
“Now, get the hell out of my house,” I growl, grabbing her by the hair and dragging her to the door.
Once I get the door open, I shove her through and slam it closed, locking it. Taking a deep breath, I lean against the door and slide to the floor. That seriously just happened.
Reaching into my pocket, I pull my phone out and find Isla’s name. A message from her already waits in my inbox, and I feel bad that I missed it. I didn’t even hear the message come through, but with all Jessica’s screeching.
When I open the message, I find a screenshot of an invitation and the question: Did you know about this?
I take a second to read over the invitation and scoff. Of course. Jack is hosting another promotion party, and I hadn’t been informed. Not that I want to go, but for Isla to hear about it before me is crazy especially since I work for the company who
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his office.
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