"But what did you do in return of her affection for you? You destroyed her already broken family. First, she lost Sir, and now Jacob too."
"It was all her doing. I didn't do anything. Jake deserved to know the truth, the truth I accidentally found." I stated, holding my ground.
"Some truths are better hidden. What happened to Sir was very unfortunate. But madam would have handled it. Jake didn't have to know; he will never be able to cope up with this."
"So, you are saying it was ok for a murderer like Ben to roam freely? It was ok for him to blackmail Pam and exploit her, emotionally, mentally, financially?"
Suddenly she went silent in retrospect, she knew deep inside that what happened, no matter how painful, it still was the right thing.
She gave me regretful stares before disappearing into the house again. I just paced up and down for hours, anticipating Jake's return. My call log showed hundreds of calls to his number. I left many messages on his voicemail and was counting every passing second on the clock in hope to hear from him soon.
"Give him time Emma, he is grieving. I am sure he will return soon. Give it a day." Augustin's words kept echoing in my ears.
I didn't realise when the sky dusked, and the shadows got long and hard. Jake was not back yet; neither did he answer any of my calls. I sat back, I was determined to see him, and nothing could make me give up. Same time yesterday, he was here in my arms at this very same couch.
How I wished to turn back time, my heart longed to re-live that moment with him again. If given a chance, this time I won't leave. I will comfort him, love him, recede his sufferings and assure him that we will get through this together. We always make it, we never fail, and this time wouldn't have been different too.
I made a promise to myself, I would never leave his side, even for a minute, ever again in life. I hated the feeling of separation and anxiety, it gave me constant heartaches, thinking, that Jake was out somewhere, suffering and coping from this trauma all by himself.
He was alone and shattered. I just prayed; he was safe too.
I didn't realise how long I sat there; my mind played tricks with me all through the night. It was a long battle I fought in my head.
My mind would first fill my instincts with all the worse possible scenarios, making me cringe in fear and pray for Jake's safety, and my heart would then be brave to shove them at the back of my head.
"Nothing would happen to him, Emma. He isn't that weak." I kept repeating this in my head.
It was morning again, and I could feel the house was hustling with staff members doing their regular chores. It was my second sleepless night in a row.
"Go home, Emma. You dig your own grave. Now go lie in it. I told you, Jake won't cope with this easily. It's time for you to face the consequences." Aunt Olivia's sharp, acidic words burnt me on the inside.
I realised my phone's battery was dead too.
After hours of waiting, with a very heavy heart, I headed back home.
My parents were waiting for me in the living area; they looked worried. As soon as I entered, mom came rushing to hug me.
"Emma. We were waiting for you to get home. How are you, baby? How is Jacob?"
The moment my mom hugged me, I didn't realise but I just silently cried my eyes out.
"I don't know mom. He never returned home. His phone is not reachable too. I am petrified. What if something happens to him? Something bad?" I stuttered the last words.
"Relax baby. Don't overthink; he will be fine. Give him time." Mom said as she stroked my back with her soft hands.
"I cannot believe Ben Murial killed his father. Any son would do what Jake did All of this must be very difficult for him. He needs some space to process." Dad came over and hugged me too.
"How did you know about what Jake did to Ben?" I was shocked.
"It's all over the news, Emma. Jason Richmond was the most powerful businessman in the whole wide industry. Convicting his murderer is huge, the biggest headline today."
In all this mess, I didn't realise how big this revelation was. I didn't think how this would get covered by the media too, and become the most scandalous news for them. It made me more anxious. I could only imagine how overwhelming all this must be for Jake.
"We are here for you, Emma. Just take it easy. Come freshen up; dinner is ready."
I forgot that I haven't eaten since yesterday. I headed to my room and quietly slipped in my bathtub. I could use the warm water to calm my nerves.
I just could not take my mind off, Jake. I kept wondering, what if I got back to my parent's home and he might have returned to his?
I couldn't be at rest. I grabbed my phone, even in the shower, and dialled again.
Voicemail.
As soon as I kept my phone back, it started ringing.
My heart raced, and my hand instantly grabbed it. I was hoping it to be from Jake. All the excitement and adrenaline rush died when I saw it was not him. It was Britney.
"Hey, Emma. Niki and I will be at your place in ten mins. Hope that's ok?"
"Hey Britney, yes, of course. See
