Page 29 of Breaking
For the next two days, the absence of Jenna was deafening. He found himself noticing the little things-the clothes that were always folded and ready, the meals he took for granted. On the first morning, he ended up pouring himself a bowl of cereal, something he hadn't done in years.
Lila tried to approach him twice. The first time, she caught him outside his office, her usual serene smile in place. "Troy, you've been avoiding me-"
"I'm busy, Lila," he snapped, brushing past her without another word.
The second time, she appeared at his home uninvited. "Your mother is worried," she said, leaning against the doorway. "You haven't been answering her calls."
Troy barely looked at her. "Mind your own business, Lila." before showing her out and slamming the door when she turned to say something.
By the second day, he was frantic.
Mack showed up at his office, looking uneasy. "Hey, man. You alright? You've been... off."
Troy barely heard him. His phone buzzed again, another message from Jenna unanswered. He opened it and finally saw a response.
Jenna:I’m fine. I’m in Chester. Sasha passed away
His hands clenched around the phone, his breath catching. He immediately typed back. Then Jenna replied, explaining what had happened.
When she finally answered his call later that night, her voice was distant, like she was already slipping away from him.
"Jenna," he breathed, relief flooding him. "Why the hell didn't you tell me?"
"I was handling things, Troy," she said flatly.
He ran a hand through his hair. "You should've told me. I-I could have come with you."
"And what would you have done?" she asked, her voice weary. "You don't even know where Sasha lived."
That stung. More than he expected.
For the first time, Troy felt something slipping, something he had never doubted before-his place in Jenna's life. This was a trainwreck he could have avoided. And the worst part? He had no idea how to stop it now.
Chapter 27
Jenna
Jenna stood at the front door of Sasha's house, gripping the handle of her small suitcase. The past week had been a blur of arrangements, legal discussions, and comforting Dani and Dylan as best she could. Now, she was preparing to leave, if only for a few days.
The thought of returning to Brighton felt foreign, like stepping back into a life she had outgrown in just seven days.
Grace leaned over the divider between their semi-detached homes, her arms folded over the wooden fence. "You sure you're up for driving this early?" she asked, her eyes filled with concern.
Jenna exhaled, offering a tired smile. "I'll be fine. It's just a few hours."
Dani appeared at the doorway; her face pinched with worry. "You'll be back, right?"
Jenna knelt, wrapping her arms around Dani and pulling her close. "Of course, sweetheart. I wouldn't miss the funeral. I'll be back in a few days, no matter what."
Dylan stood further back, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. He had been grumpy all morning, withdrawing into himself. Jenna turned her gaze to him.
"Dylan," she called softly. He was a big lad.
He didn't move at first, but after a moment, he stepped forward. His jaw was tight, his eyes guarded. Jenna hugged him too, despite hisstiffness. "I know this isn't easy. But I need you to promise me something."
"What?" he muttered.
Jenna placed her hands on his shoulders and met his gaze. "I am coming back within a week. I know you don’t trust me yet, but you will. If anything happens-if you or Dani need me, I want you to call me. No matter what. Promise me."
