Page 58 of Falling for My Ex Next Door

“I understand you were ill and needed my help, but it didn’t have to be at the cost of my relationship with her. I didn’t have to be CEO to help the company.” I snapped.

“Do you think you’d have worked out being in such a long-distance relationship?” He frowned.

I turned away from him, upset.

“Jacob, you were both young. Dating her long distance would have been hard, considering your busy schedule then.”

“But I loved her.”

“I know you blame me for everything, but I’m not totally to blame. Now that she has returned to your life after three years, I hope you know what is best for you.” And with that, he stood up and quietly walked out.

Once again, I was left with my thoughts.

I felt sick and had to go home after the encounter with my dad, unable to work as usual. When Jackson dropped me off, he parked the car in the driveway and boarded a taxi back to the office.

I lay down on the sofa and fell asleep. After a few hours, my phone rang. It was Jackson.

“Hey, Jackson.”

“Hey, boss. Are you feeling any better?”

“Yes, I feel much better now that I’ve slept. Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine. I called to update you on the coffee shop investigation.” He replied.

“What do you have for me?” I asked.

“A few months ago, the coffee shop was in danger of foreclosure because of unpaid debts. However, the bank and the coffee shop owner negotiated a repayment plan to prevent the foreclosure process. I also found out that Custom Builders are interested in purchasing the building. They have already bought a few adjacent shops.”

“Joe Griffin’s Custom Builders?”

“Yes,” he responded.

I could only say, “Thanks for the information. See you tomorrow,” after hearing the shocking news. The call ended.

My mind whirled with confusion and concern. What had happened? Throughout my time with her, Clara never mentioned having financial trouble.

It was surprising, and I hardly knew how to feel. I felt angry that she was going through this alone. Sometimes, I thought she was unnecessarily closed off.

She had been trying to fix things, to save the coffee shop, and it pained me she didn’t tell me. Though I understood why she had kept it a secret, we were no longer in a relationship. Despite that, I thought we were friends.

Her curiosity about Joe Griffin now makes sense.

I wondered if Daisy knew about it.

Chapter Seventeen

Clara

My first customer the following day was Mrs. Bradley. I was surprised to see her. She walked in majestically dressed in a two-piece satin outfit that made her appear younger than she was.

“How did you find this place?” I asked as soon as she was settled.

“It wasn’t so much of an effort,” she said.

I nodded.

She momentarily looked around her, with a look of contentment.

---