I locked the screen quickly, as if that could block it all out, his words, the regret, the manipulation. I didn't want to feel conflicted, but I was. Something about Jake had always felt like a half-truth wrapped in charm.
Another buzz. This time, it wasn't a message but rather a voice memo.
I hesitated… and pressed play.
His voice came through in a low and steady tone. "Marie… I didn't mean to overwhelm you. I just thought maybe this would be good for you. I see the weight you carry. You don't talk to your parents anymore, and I thought, maybe if you saw him, you could start to let some of that go.
A pause. Then softer:
"I'm not your enemy."
I stared at the phone for a long moment, jaw tightening. Then stop acting like one, I thought bitterly.
The cold bit deeper, and I tucked my arms around myself, trying to ignore how much I was shaking. Emotionally. Physically. Everything.
