Chapter 128
Jake’s plane touched down in Sweliss in the early hours of the morning the next day.
The city below was quiet, still half-asleep, wrapped in a blue-grey haze. But Jake barely noticed. It all felt distant, like he was watching someone else’s life through a fogged window.
He went straight to his penthouse, but the moment he stepped inside, he felt the weight sitting heavy on his chest. Although he was now lying on his bed, he couldn’t sleep. He hadn’t slept in over twenty-four hours. Not because of the jetlag, or anything but because of Bella and how deeply he’d hurt her.
His mind kept replaying everything… her voice breaking as she spoke, her eyes full of shock, hurt, and betrayal. He had hurt her and every time he remembered the way she had looked at him, like he had shattered something precious, it made his stomach twist painfully.
He tried to think of what he would say when he saw her again. Should he apologize? Or explain to her? Or even beg?
But the more he tried to imagine the words, the harder it became to breathe. There were no words that could undo what he had done. How do you take back shouting at someone who was already hurting? How do you erase doubting someone who had trusted you with their whole heart?
He sat up, ran a hand over his face, and groaned quietly.
God… what was he thinking?
He should have been more careful five years ago. He should have remembered something as important as the doctor’s instruction.
He cursed under his breath, whispering harshly into his palms.
He had been angry at himself long before he became angry at Bella. And now, knowing she had never lied, never cheated, never betrayed him… it only made him feel worse. Everything he threw at her two days ago, every accusation just came crawling back like poison burning through his chest.
By the time the first light of dawn touched the sky, he had already made up his mind.
He would go to her. He didn’t know what he would say. He didn’t know if she would slam the door in his face. He didn’t even know if she wanted to see him at all.
But he needed her to know he was here. He hadn’t run. He wasn’t hiding. He was willing to face her anger, her hurt, her disappointment… and if she allowed it, her forgiveness. Newest update provıded by
When he pulled up in front of Chloe’s apartment, his heart was beating hard, almost painfully.
He stepped out of the car slowly. The morning was quiet and the air felt cold against his skin.
He walked toward the door, but when he reached it, he stopped.
So many memories flickered through his mind at once.
Bella opening the door with that small, shy smile. Another memory of Bella laughing as Timothy ran around the living room behind her. And another of Bella leaning on the doorway waiting for him to come inside.
All of that felt so far away now.
He swallowed, took a breath, and knocked gently. He wasn’t even sure the knock made any sound; it felt too soft… like he was afraid to disturb the world.
A few seconds passed then Chloe opened the door.
Her locs were tied in a bun, and she was holding a mug of coffee. She froze when she saw him. Her eyes widened, not in shock, but in a tight, strained way that made his stomach drop even more.
“Good morning, Mr. Stones,” she said carefully. Her voice was calm, steady, almost too steady. “Why are you here so early p>
Jake opened his mouth, but before he could speak, her expression changed. Her jaw tightened, and her brows drew together slightly. She didn’t look angry, rather, she looked deeply disappointed.
And somehow, that hurt him more.
“Don’t bother saying. I know why you’re here,” Chloe said quietly. “And honestly… I don’t even know what to say to you right now p>
Jake’s chest tightened as he immediately rushed to say, “I know.” His voice came in a whisper. “I know I messed up p>
Chloe let out a breath that sounded a little like a scoff and a sigh mixed together. She leaned against the door frame, looking at him like someone trying very hard to stay respectful despite everything she wanted to say. He was still her boss, after all.
“You didn’t just mess up,” she said, her voice low. “You broke her. Bella cried in a way I haven’t seen in a long time. You accused her of something she didn’t even have in her heart to do p>
Jake lowered his head, guilt twisting painfully inside him. “I know,” he said again. “I know. And that’s why I’m here, to make things right p>
Chloe shook her head slowly. “Mr. Stones, you should have listened to her p>
Her voice softened, but the hurt in it still stung. “She trusted you so much. She told you the truth… and you threw it back at her. She didn’t deserve that p>
Jake swallowed, forcing the words out. “I… I know and I regret every single thing I said. Every word.” He lifted his eyes slightly. “I just… I want to fix it. Please p>
Chloe didn’t move aside yet. She was still looking at him, trying to read him.
“She didn’t sleep,” she said, her voice softer now, but still firm. “She blamed herself. She kept asking what she did wrong p>
Jake’s eyes closed for a moment—pain, regret, and shame tightening his chest.
“She didn’t do anything wrong,” he whispered. “It was me. All of it was me p>
Chloe studied him for a long moment. “Then why? Why did you treat her like that p>
Jake exhaled shakily. “I was scared,” he admitted. “I was stupid. I let fear twist everything. And I forgot… God, I forgot something important and blamed her for it. I just… I just want to see her p>
Chloe’s shoulders softened a little. Not completely, but enough.
“I’m disappointed in you,” she said honestly. “And I don’t care if you’re my boss, right now, you’re the man who hurt someone I love like a sister p>
Jake nodded slowly. “You’re right to be disappointed. I totally understand. Just let me see her, so I can make this right p>
Chloe looked at him again… really looked. His tired eyes, his unshaven jaw, the way his shoulders were tense, the guilt practically pouring out of him. She sighed.
“I’m sorry but I’m not sure she’d want that p>