Page 94 of Snowbound
Fucking narcissist, always thought the world owed him something.
My fingers tremble as I pick up my phone. I might have questions about Owen, about what he does, but I don’t have any questions aboutthis.
I want him here.
Now.
I type fast.
Jake is here. Please come.
Just as I hit send, Jake lunges and snatches the phone out of my hand.
“What the hell are you doing?” I shout. “Give me that. You can’t just?—”
His eyes are wild.“Watch me.You made a mockery of me, Emma.”
“Youcheatedon me,” I say. “Own it. How am I the bad guy in this scenario? ”
Jake shoves me. I trip backward, landing hard on the couch. He’s never done that before, never touched me in anger.
This isn’t the Jake I knew. Or maybe it is. Maybe this is who he’s always been, and he just hid it really well.
“You don’t get to leave me, Emma. Not after everything I gave up.”
“Everythingyougave up? What the fuck are you talking about?”
“I need money,” he screams. “And you have it.”
“Me?”
I laugh, bitter and cold. “You burn through money faster than you can steal it. I don’t owe you shit.”
He takes a step closer.
“I’ll see you in court.”
“You’re delusional.”
His hand rises, and I don’t have time to back away. I’m still in shock when the slap lands sharp across my face.
My jaw jerks sideways, skin stinging, eyes burning. I freeze. I don’t even cry… just stare.
Until I hear it, low, dangerous, unmistakable.
“Did you just fucking raise your hand to her?”
Owen.
He must’ve run. It’s barely been minutes since I sent the message.
He stands in the doorway—not a man, anexecutioner.
Jake turns, sees him, and blanches. “What the hell areyoudoing here?”
He looks between us. He sees my face, sees the hoodie, sees the truth.
“You came here to be with him?” Jake snarls, then turns to Owen. “You sick bastard.”
