Chapter 12
Drake seemed to suddenly remember his girlfriend was still there. Like waking from a trance, he dropped his hand from Sienna’s waist and stepped back.
His friends, following his gaze to Jessica, scrambled to smooth things over.
“Let’s keep playing. Sienna, skip the drinks if your stomach’s bad-just do truth or dare instead.”
Yeah, truth or dare’s perfect!”
Drake composed himself and returned to the sofa.
He expected Jessica to be jealous, to show some sign of hurt.
But she said nothing.
ler indifference unsettled him more than any reaction could have. Something about her felt different tonight.
he silence stretched between them.
>rake was considering an explanation when another round of cheers erupted from the group.
Sienna lost again! Truth or dare?”
lis attention snapped back to Sienna.
Dare,” she said, throwing Drake a loaded glance over her shoulder.
Alright, pick from the dare cards.” Someone produced a stack of cards.
ienna drew one casually. The reader’s eyes went wide, darting between Sienna, Drake, and Jessica.
girl peeked at the card and gasped.
What is it?”
What’d she get?”
Kiss any guy in the room of your choice,” the reader announced, shooting Drake a nervous glance.
he temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees as Drake’s expression turned glacial.
ienna, apparently oblivious to the tension, stood up with a playful smile and approached a handsome man nearby.
Chase, mind if I kiss you?”
Chase glanced at Drake’s murderous expression, frozen in place.
When he didn’t respond, Sienna leaned in, arms sliding around his neck.
Enough!”
Drake’s shout cut through the room. He stormed over, grabbed Sienna’s hand, and pulled her out the door.
09%
The remaining guests exchanged looks before turning sympathetic eyes to Jessica.
She took a sip of her drink, smiling easily. “Why are you all looking at me?”
They quickly looked away, pretending to be absorbed in their drinks and conversations.
Jessica nursed her drink, feeling her heart grow colder.
In her experience, Drake rarely showed strong emotions about anything.
This was the first time she’d seen him lose control like this.
When her glass was empty, she headed to the restroom.
Through the door, she heard women talking by the sinks.
“Drake’s lost it-leaving his girlfriend here to run off with Sienna.”
“Shows who he really cares about, doesn’t it?”
“Did you see his face when Sienna was about to kiss Chase? Terrifying.”
‘Poor girlfriend, watching her man lose it over another woman.”
‘She’s just a replacement anyway.”
They’ll break up soon, obviously. Everyone can see Drake’s in love with Sienna.”
Yeah, I-” The voice cut off abruptly as Jessica emerged from the stall. The women hurried out, avoiding eye contact.
essica calmly washed her hands.
They were right about one thing-she and Drake were headed for a breakup.
But it wouldn’t be him ending things. She was done.
Back at the penthouse, exhausted, Jessica fell asleep quickly after her shower.
Drake returned the next afternoon.
He pushed open the bedroom door and frowned at the open suitcase on the floor.
What’s this?”
essica looked up from behind the closet door. “Oh, you’re back. I’m heading home for a while.”
She had accumulated a lot over two years. Some clothes and shoes could be donated, but she needed to sort everything. When she
eft, she wouldn’t leave a trace of herself behind.
Her eyes caught on the fresh mark on his neck. She looked away, unfazed.
She was done caring about what-or who-he did.
“Why the sudden trip home? Still angry about last night? Running away?”
“No, just missing my family. Want to visit.”
Drake’s expression relaxed. “That’s good.”
In three years, Jessica had never gone home.
She’d spent every holiday alone.
He couldn’t leave his family to spend holidays with her, and he certainly couldn’t bring her home for holidays.
His mother, Caroline Ashcroft, would never accept someone without the right background.
“I’m swamped with work, so I can’t come with you. When’s your flight? I’ll have James drive you to the airport.”
Jessica folded her favorite pieces carefully into the suitcase.
No need. I’ve got a ride.”
Drake tried to hide his relief.
le’d dreaded her asking him to meet her parents.
After three years, normal couples would be discussing marriage.
But he wasn’t normal. He was Drake Ashcroft, sole heir to Ashcroft Capital.
Their social divide was an unbridgeable gap.
Drake knew they had no future.
Meeting parents would be pointless.
le was grateful Jessica understood this, never pushing for more.
lis friend’s words echoed: “Keep both. If you feel guilty, just buy her nice things. Women are easy to please.”
Maybe he could marry Sienna, keep Jessica as his mistress.
A woman like Jessica would never find another man of his status.
he loved him too much to leave.
le’d talk to her after she returned.
Text me when you land,” Drake said. “Let me know when you’re back in New York-I’ll pick you up.”
essica murmured a soft “okay.”
won’t be back, she thought.
Drake’s phone rang.
After a brief call, he turned to her: “I need to go. About last night-I shouldn’t have left you there. I got you something. My assistant will drop it off.”
essica gave a noncommittal response.
As soon as Drake left, Jessica’s phone lit up with a message from Asher.
