When I Left, He Found His Way Back-Chapter 54: Two jinxes

Jessica’s POV.

I raised an eyebrow, "Why do I feel you’re up to no good?" He looked surprised for a moment. "Listen now, I heard your... outstanding reputation, but I didn’t take them seriously, unless you prove me wrong. So, don’t even think about extending your claws towards me."

He remained silent for a whole before he roared with laughter. "Come on, Annabelle’s words don’t count, Jessy. That girl is after my life. You should never listen to what she says about me. Trust me, she hates me more than you can think."

"Why would she hate you if you didn’t do anything?" standing up, I folded my arms.

"Well, I’m not exactly innocent, but I can’t be held accountable for how things turned out between her sister and I."

"Ah, you broke her sister’s heart," I concluded, nodding with understanding, "Typically what a playboy does."

"I didn’t break her heart, per se. We didn’t work out. But who would have thought she would take an overdose? That crazy girl almost committed suicide," he said with a hint of frustration.

My eyes widened in shock as Max’s words hung in the air. "She took an overdose?" I repeated.

Max’s expression turned somber, and he nodded slowly. "Yes, she did. And Annabelle’s never forgiven me for it." He paused, his eyes clouding over with memories. "It was a messy situation, and I’m not proud of how things ended between us. But I never meant for her to get hurt that badly."

I felt a pang of surprise at Max’s words. I had expected him to be cavalier and unrepentant, but instead, he seemed genuinely remorseful.

"Well, you seem to have a knack for crazy girls," I gave him a thumbs up. "Way to go, handsome." I tried to lighten the gloomy atmosphere and he chuckled.

"You can say that again," Max said, a wry smile spreading across his face. "But I think I’ve had my fair share of drama for a while. I need a good break."

I nodded as we made our way out, "You sure need that break. But I doubt you’d be getting it." Remembering something, I asked, "You’ve not paid for the meal."

"It’s a reservation. They take full payment upfront."

"Oh." I nodded. "About the culprit. Who was it?"

"A girl named Hilda."

My head snapped towards him, my eyes wide with surprise. "Hilda?" I repeated, trying to process the information. "What Hilda?"

Max’s expression turned serious, his eyes narrowing slightly. "The barista claimed to be friends with her. Hilda asked her to do that to you, then you’d blame the wrong person, and then, your life on campus will become difficult."

"Excuse me? I don’t know any Hilda who would want to hurt me." I said firmly, my eyes sharp. But my heart was racing with trepidation. It couldn’t be my Hilda. No way would Hilda hate me, or...

No!

I just couldn’t think that the Hilda I knew, my best friend, my sister, my mom, would hurt me. I shook my head. There must be another Hilda.

"She showed me a photo of her, and you were in it."

My heart dropped when he showed me the photo of Hilda and I. I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. The air seemed to suck out of my lungs as I stared at Max, my mind reeling with denial.

"No," I whispered, shaking my head. "That’s not possible." But the picture wouldn’t lie. It was a photo we took at her working place a few days ago. We were both smiling in that picture.

"Why would she want to hurt you?"

"Why would Hilda want to hurt me?" my question overlapped with his. It was a question meant for me, but I had no answers to it.

Suddenly, Liam’s words crossed my mind again, ’Don’t be so trusting, Jessica. Be a little thorough, even those you trust the most’.

I bit my lip harshly. What was going on? Should I confront her? Or, was somebody setting her up?

’Making excuses for her again? That was how you made excuses for Liam until you lost your child!’

’That was how you made excuses for your adopted family until they threw you out!’

"Jessica, are you alright?" Max’s voice interrupted my inner voice.

I looked at him and nodded, giving him a false smile. How could I be alright?

The drive back to school was a blur. I was lost, trying to understand why Hilda would want to make my life in school difficult. Yet, she was worried when she saw my leg.

I felt a chill run down my spine. How many times had that lady done this? And why?

"You know, I brought you out for breakfast, because I wanted your company. I told you already, right?"

My gaze snapped back to him, and I just stared blankly at him, waiting for him to continue.

"It was because I was sad. I had a fight with my family, and I didn’t feel like being alone. Having parents who don’t understand, and don’t want to understand you, yet have outrageous expectations and demands...It’s draining, and being in a toxic relationship on top of that, can you imagine how difficult that is?"

I continued to stare at him, listening to him speak.

"You’re lucky, Jessica," he smiled bitterly and I almost laughed.

Lucky? If he knew what I’ve been through, he wouldn’t use the word ’lucky’ so lightly.

"The first time I gave you a ride, you were crying. The second time, you’re sad. Jessica. If you keep being this way, I might start to think that I’m a jinx..."

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of jinx. He thought he was a jinx? Then what am I?

"Thank you," he said after a long while of silence.

"What for?" my voice cracked a little. I was still heartbroken over Hilda’s betrayal. Although Max has tried to make me feel better, it didn’t help.

He glanced at me. "For being there when I needed someone to talk to."

I wouldn’t have been there if he didn’t kidnap me. "You bought me a meal. We’re even."

He smiled and said nothing.

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l