Chapter 9
Jake stared at her coldly, enunciating each syllable: “That makes you the fool.”
Vanessa trembled, tears finally spilling down her cheeks.
“Jake, you’re a complete and utter bastard!”
She screamed hysterically, “Listen to me! Olivia doesn’t love you anymore! She. Doesn’t. Love. You!”
CRACK!
His palm connected with her face in a vicious slap.
Jake’s hand was still shaking, his eyes flooded with crimson rage: “Shut your mouth.”
Vanessa clutched her cheek, tears streaming silently down her face.
“Even if she doesn’t love me…” Jake glared at her, “I will never love you.”
Vanessa finally broke, turning and running away. This time, she likely wouldn’t look back.
I sighed.
“I asked her to help me.”
I looked at Jake calmly. “Leave the James family alone. Was it really necessary to drive them to bankruptcy?”
Jake whipped his head around, his eyes blazing with such intense, blood–red fury it was almost
inhuman.
“Absolutely necessary.”
His voice was raw. “Anyone who tries to take you from me will face my complete insanity,”
“Will you listen to me then?” I asked quietly. “Leave the James family alone, and leave me alone too.”
Jake’s tears suddenly fell.
19:34
Ho Made Me a Prostitute
Chapter 9
“I brought… a renowned specialist with me,” he choked out. “To help your mother.”
I smiled humorlessly. “Oh? Is the hypnotist here already?”
Jake froze completely.
“Vanessa told me everything.”
I stared him down. “She discovered you were searching for a powerful hypnotist. You wanted to make me forget again, didn’t you? Erase those memories one more time?”
His breathing became rapid, fingers unconsciously curling.
“Jake, stop deluding yourself.”
I shook my head. “What happened, happened. It can’t be undone.”
“If you hadn’t helped me find my mother…”
I laughed bitterly, “I probably wouldn’t have survived.”
Jake’s entire body trembled like a man standing on the edge of a cliff, his voice fragmenting:
“Liv, can’t we try again? Are you afraid to?”
He suddenly grabbed my hand, his grip almost painful.
“Because you know…”
His eyes reddened as he emphasized each word:
‘If you forget me again, you’ll still fall in love with me.”
I closed my eyes, feeling like my heart was being physically torn apart.
“Jake, I can’t just forget.”
I said softly, “My father’s death, my mother’s condition, my own suffering… how long would you keep hypnotizing me?”
“I’d rather live with the pain and stay conscious.”
Chapter 9
I looked up, meeting his gaze directly.
“Even if Alexander masterminded it all… weren’t you the chess piece that did most of the damage?”
“I can’t forget…” my voice shook, “this wound.“.
Jake trembled violently, as if all strength had been drained from him.
“Liv, I-”
“If you don’t want to lose me completely, then drop this idea,” I interrupted. “I don’t want to see you.
Don’t disturb us again.”
“You’ve dealt with everyone who hurt me…” I smiled bitterly, “except yourself.”
“Your betrayal cut deeper than anyone else’s.”
I’d said all I needed to say and had no intention of continuing this conversation.
That night, Jake returned home and took his own life.
He left everything he owned to me, along with a letter.
It contained just three simple words: “Please forgive me.”
Vanessa brought me his ashes.
“He said… do whatever you want with them.”
I took the cold urn, stared at it for a long time, and finally walked to the beach where coconut trees
lined the shore. With one motion, I scattered the ashes.
They dispersed in the wind, falling into the waves, disappearing forever.
For the rest of my life, I too will live with guilt.
When my mother passes away, I’ll join her, to see my father again.
And then, I’ll kneel down…
And beg him to forgive my mistakes.
