Chapter 347
I closed my eyes. That guilt gain… A different kind, though.
Yeah,” I whispered, “I felt that way too.”
Another awkward silence followed.
I could hear Jake breathing shakily on the other end like he was trying to hold something back.
Then came the question I had feared would eventually surface.
“…Are you really going to accept him, Kester… as your mate?”
I felt the breath slip from my lungs.
I looked up at the ceiling, blinking fast, trying to keep my voice steady. “Jake…” I called softly, but he interrupted me before I could speak again.
“Then what happens to us, Kasmine?” He exhaled, and I could almost see him closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose, “What happens to… to everything we’ve shared? What happens to the love I gave you? What happens to me?”
My heart twisted.
His voice cracked and it felt like each word hurt to let out. “I don’t know how to breathe without you anymore. You were everything to me.”
My eyes stung instantly. A wave of guilt crashed into me before I could brace myself. Tears slid down my cheeks.
“Jake…” I croaked.
“I loved you,” he whispered. “I still love you. Every second. Every minute. You are my whole world, Kasmine. How am I supposed to just… walk away?”
I couldn’t speak. The sob caught in my chest like a knot I couldn’t untangle.
He sighed… The way someone exhales when they’re trying not to fall apart.
“Please… Can I see you tonight?” I stiffened, “I just… I just want to see you. Let’s talk. Just once.”
“Jake, no… I…” I wiped at my tears, a slight panic setting in. “You can’t just call me like this and ask to meet up. It’s not that simple.”
“I know it’s not,” he said quickly, “I know it’s complicated and messy and maybe even pointless I need this, Kasmine. I need to see you. Just to talk. That’s all I’m asking.”
“And what then?” I asked, swallowing hard. “What’s the point? We are already hurting enough, Jake. I mean…” I swear, I didn’t know what else to say. I just closed my eyes, sucked in a deep breath, and massaged my throbbing temple with one
hand.
“If… if after tonight, you still choose him, then I’ll back off. I swear it. But I can’t walk away without looking you in the eyes one last time. I just… I can’t.”
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Chapter 347
My heart clenched. I looked over at the clock. 6:07 PM.
I shook my head, even though he couldn’t see it. “Jake… It’s already late. I can’t just leave the house now,”
bring you back,” he rushed out desperately, tripping over his words, “I swear. In my uncle’s car. We’ll talk and I’ll drop you back even before eight. Please, Kasmine. Just give me this one chance,”
“Jake…”
“Please,” he cut in, “Please, Kasmine. I’m not asking you to choose me tonight. I’m just asking… don’t let it end like this.”
My fingers tightened around the phone. I could practically feel his longing through the line.
I stared at the floor, my thoughts spinning.
I knew I shouldn’t go. If Kester found out I’d gone to meet Jake. there was no telling how he’d react. Kester didn’t do “jealousy” gently. He didn’t do “restraint.” And even though I had asked him for space, I didn’t think he’d be okay with me going behind his back to see the one person he absolutely loathed.
But at the same time, I couldn’t live with myself if I let things end like this with Jake. He deserved better. He deserved
closure. And so did I.
Llet out a loud exhale, hoping I wasn’t signing our death warrant by doing this.
“Okay,” I whispered. “I’ll come.”
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Author’s Note: An extra chapter coming up shortly. Trust me, you aren’t ready for what’s to come. #winks.
Chapter Comments
Kerryn Day–Francis
oh Kasmine… you wouldn’t be you if you didn’t make the dumb call. lol
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