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Chapter 40
What I didn’t expect was to see Jairus and Katie at the café where I was meeting a client.”
I had arrived early, hoping for a quiet corner to prepare. The aroma of coffee soothed my nerves. Until they walked in, laughing like they didn’t have a care in the world.
Katie’s hand rested on Jairus’s arm. Her polished smile was brighter than the chandelier overhead. She leaned in, whispering something that made him chuckle.§
I stared down at my cup, willing myself to stay calm. But Jairus spotted me.}
“Vanessa,” he called out. I could hear the surprise and guilt in his voice
I forced a neutral expression. “Jairus.“}
Katie followed his lead, pulling out a chair at my table. “Mind if we join you?“>
“Yes,” I wanted to say, but they sat down uninvited.
“This place is quaint,” Katie said sweetly. “Do you come here often, Vanessa?“}
“Sometimes,” I replied curtly.”
“Meeting someone?” Jairus asked, studying me with too much interest.
“Yes, a client.“}
“Always working,” he smirked. “So dedicated.“}
I ignored him, glancing at my watch as the minutes dragged on. Katie giggled at her phone, occasionally showing Jairus something that made him laugh.
“Isn’t this adorable?” she cooed, holding up a picture of a baby in a pumpkin costume. “Jairus, we should do this someday, don’t think?”
My jaw clenched, but I refused to ro
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Katie,” Jairus replied awkwardly.
She pouted, then smirked at me. “Oh, right. Vanessa, I forgot you don’t like kids. Or was it that you can’t-“}
“That’s enough, Katie,” Jairus cut her off sharply.
Mr. Williams, my client, arrived moments later, offering a
put me at ease.
“Sorry I’m late,” he said.”
you
much–needed distraction. He was tall, with a warm handshake that instantly
“No problem.” I smiled, grateful for the excuse to shift my attention.”
Jairus extended a hand. “Jairus Thatcher. Vanessa and I work together. Mind if I join you two?“>
I shot him a warning glance, but Mr. Williams, oblivious to the tension, nodded politely.
The meeting began, but Jairus kept inserting himself, interrupting every chance he got. His presence By the time Mr. Williams left, I was fuming. “What was that about?” I snapped.”
Jairus feigned innocence. “What do you mean?“}
“You had no business being here.“>
Katie smirked. “Relax, Vanessa. Jairus was just helping. Isn’t that what partners do?”
“Partners?” I repeated, locking eyes with her. “Funny, I don’t recall you being part of this team.”
was suffocating.
Her smirk faltered briefly before she turned to Jairus. “Darling, why don’t you grab us some drinks? I’d love a matcha latte.“> Jairus hesitated, glancing between us. “Be nice, both of you.”
The moment he walked away, Katie leaned in, her sweetness evaporating.
“Let’s be honest, Vanessa,” she said coldly. “You’re irrelevant. Jairus is mine now. You’re just an obstacle.“}
I refused to flinch. “And yet you’re the one trying so hard to provoke me. Seems like you’re the one who feels threatened.“}]
Katie’s lips twitched. She extended her hand across the table with a fake smile. “Truce?”
“No thanks.” I moved to push her hand away, but she seized the moment.
With an exaggerated gasp, she grabbed my hand and twisted, throwing herself to the floor.”
The café went silent, heads turning toward us.”
Katie clutched her wrist, tears welling in her eyes. “Vanessa, why did you push me?“N
My jaw dropped. “I didn’t-”
Before I could finish, Jairus rushed back, dropping two cups on the table as he crouched beside her.
“Katie! Are you okay?” he asked. Panic was evident in his voice.
She whimpered, leaning into his concern. “She just shoved me. I was trying to make peace, but she…”
The absurdity of the scene rendered me speechless. The other patrons whispered and glared, their judgment stifling.
“What the hell, Vanessa?” Jairus snapped.
“She’s lying!” I shot back. “You weren’t here. You didn’t see-”
“I’ve seen enough!” he interrunted His glare was niercing thmunh ma
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“I’ve seen enough!” he interrupted. His glare was piercing through me.
Katie dabbed at imaginary tears with a napkin. “I shouldn’t have pushed. I just thought… maybe we could move past everything.”
Jairus’s face darkened. “You’ve gone too far this time, Vanessa. This behavior is unacceptable.“}
My hands trembled as I stared at him. Not because of his words, but because of the realization settling over me.”
He would always believe her.
No matter what she did, no matter what I said, Jairus had made his choice.
And it wasn’t me.
