Page 68 of Falling for My Ex Next Door

“Happy? You cleared my debts without asking me! How could you do that? I’m not some damsel in distress. I’m a grown woman who can handle her problems.”

“For goodness’ sake, Clara, it’s just money!” He raked his fingers through his hair in frustration.

“Just money? Is that all this is to you?” My voice trembled with anger and hurt.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you’d be upset. I was trying to help. I wanted to make things easier for you, sweetie.”

“Easier? Do you know how demeaning that is? And don’t call me sweetie!”

“Clara, please—“

“I can’t believe you thought you could swoop in and fix everything. I don’t need your help. I need your respect, Jacob, not your money!”

“I respect you, Clara. I do. I just thought clearing the debt would relieve your burden. I meant no harm.” His voice was desperate.

“You don’t even know me anymore,” I said, my voice cracking. “Or maybe you never did.”

He reached for me, but I stepped back.

“I know I’ve made a mistake,” he said. “But I only did it because I love you. I wanted to make you happy.”

“That’s just it. You don’t get to decide what makes me happy. Love is about respecting someone’s choices, and standing by their side. You should have asked me. It disgusts me that you were snooping around.”

“I wasn’t snooping. I thought it would make things better. I didn’t want you to struggle.”

“Struggle?” I spun to face him. “Do you think I’m so weak that I can’t handle hardship? I never told you I was struggling. I had everything under control.”

“I know that now. But I didn’t mean to hurt you. I was trying to show you how much I cared.”

“Well, you’ve certainly succeeded in showing me something. You’ve shown me that you don’t understand me at all.”

He reached out again, and I pulled away. “Don’t,” I snapped. “Just don’t.”

His hands dropped. “I know I’ve messed up. But please, let me make it right. Tell me what I can do. I love you.”

“I don’t think you should bother. This is not leading anywhere.”

“Please, can we talk about this later?” He pleaded.

“No. Please, leave.”

“Clara—“

“Leave, please,” I repeated, shutting my eyes.

The last sound I heard was the door closing behind him. As the silence settled in, I wondered if this was really the end or just the beginning of something neither of us had anticipated.

.

Chapter Twenty

Jacob

Iwalked back home in the snow, hoping I’d feel a little better when I lay on my bed. However, I went directly to my study to bury myself in work.

Initially, I had thought of confronting her about the foreclosure on the coffee shop but I also didn’t want her to feel I was invading her privacy. I wanted her to tell me in her own words.

However, apparently, she didn’t trust me enough to let me know such crucial details about her life.

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