Chapter 259 Strange
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She had rented a safety deposit box at the bank, and that morning she intended to place her finest jewelry and precious valuables inside it for safekeeping.
As she stood at the bathroom sink brushing her teeth, a faint sound drifted through the quiet
house.
Anneliese paused mid–stroke, her cars straining. She tilted her head, holding her breath, and listened harder. Silence settled again.
She reminded herself that Meatloaf was out there. If anyone had broken in, the dog would have been barking his head off. Reassured, she leaned back over the sink and continued brushing.
The next instant, the bathroom door flew open with a sharp bang. Meatloaf came barreling in, his tail wagging so hard it whipped the air, a greasy chicken drumstick hanging triumphantly from his jaws.
Anneliese’s eyes
widened. “Where in the world did you get that? Don’t tell me there’s an actual burglar in the house.”
And not just any burglar, but one clever enough to bribe the dog.
She spat out the foam, rinsed her mouth quickly, and rushed into the hallway. The sight that met her made her stop short.
Jessica was creeping along the floorboards on tiptoe, her back hunched, moving toward the guest room like a thief in some cartoon.
“Stop right there.”
Anneliese’s voice cut sharp as a blade, her narrowed eyes fixing on Jessica.
Jessica froze, caught mid–step, but she didn’t turn around. She stretched lazily instead, stifled a yawn, and muttered, “God, I’m exhausted. I’m just heading back to bed.”
She took a step forward.
“Meatloaf,” Anneliese ordered, “grab her.”
The dog dropped the chicken bone with a wet smack and lunged. His teeth clamped onto Jessica’s college coat, and he pulled with surprising force, dragging her stumbling backward toward his owner.
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Jessica staggered, glaring furiously at the animal.
“Meatloaf, you traitor!”
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So much for her bribe. He had chewed her offering with greasy delight, then turned right around and betrayed her, his mouth still shining with oil as he pulled on her coat.
“You-”
Anneliese strode over and caught Jessica firmly by the arm.
But when she saw her friend’s face, her words died at once.
Now it all made sense. No wonder this girl had been skulking around at dawn, sneaking like a thief caught in the act.
Her coat hung loose, barely covering her. Her exposed neck and chest were covered with marks, bruised kisses layered thick across her skin, undeniable proof of a night filled with fire.
Anneliese’s eyes flared as she crossed her arms.
“And who is the guy who left you like this?”
Not for a second did she think Jessica had been forced. Her cheeks were glowing, her lips soft and flushed. She looked every bit a woman who had surrendered willingly, drenched in passion.
“N–no, it’s not what you think, I just-“Jessica fumbled to pull her coat tighter around herself, fumbling in a panic.
Her bag slipped from her shoulder and hit the ground with a heavy thud. A small box spilled across the floor.
Jessica lunged for it, but Anneliese was faster. She bent down, plucked it up, and held it high in triumph.
“Plan B? You didn’t seriously pay for a male escort last night, did you?”
Jessica’s face burned crimson. She snatched the box back with shaking hands. The secret was out. Pretending was pointless now.
She collapsed onto the couch and croaked, “Get me some water first.”
Her voice was hoarse, roughened from long hours of laughter and moans.
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Anneliese shook her head but fetched her a glass anyway. Jessica downed the water, swallowed the pill, then covered her face with both hands.
“It wasn’t some escort,” she muttered. “It was… Zane.”
Anneliese’s jaw nearly hit the floor.
She had seen the sparks between them yesterday, flickering quietly like coals. But she had never imagined they would ignite into a full wildfire overnight.
“You’re telling me the guy you went drinking with at Velour was him? Did the two of you actually end up together?”
Jessica dragged her hands down her face. “Together? Absolutely not. It was just one night. Nothing more. Don’t twist it into something it isn’t.”
She
gave another loud yawn, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. “I’m going back to bed.”
Anneliese stared at her retreating back, knowing without question that Jessica had no intention of saying another word.
They were grown women now. Even best friends had to respect certain boundaries.
So, she let her go.
Jessica didn’t want to relive it anyway. She felt there was nothing worth explaining.
The day before, Zane had gone with her to finish her address change. For the first time, she felt like chains had fallen from her shoulders. Freedom spread through her chest like sunlight.
She no longer had to live like someone hiding in the shadows. She no longer had to feel like she was borrowing another woman’s identity.
She was no longer Queenie’s stand–in. She was finally just herself.
Joy had bubbled up so bright that she had insisted on buying Zane a drink at Velour. At first, it was easy. They simply sat together, sipping their glasses.
Then his ex showed up, clinging to him and refusing to go away. Zane had wrapped his arm around Jessica’s waist, pulled her onto his lap, and declared to his ex that she was his girlfriend
now.
That was when the night lost control. His ex would not believe it. Jessica thought of all Zane had done for her, so she decided she could repay him with one small favor. She would help him cut ties with his leftover baggage.
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So, she grabbed his face and kissed him with everything she had.
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Now she sat with her head pounding, heavy from the hangover and the dizzy sweetness of the night before.
She was certain she hadn’t been the one to use her tongue first. But when it came to demanding, “Are we doing this or not,” shoving him flat against the booth, climbing on top of him, ripping his belt free, and tossing it into the dance floor while the crowd erupted into shrieks and cheers- Yes. That had absolutely been her.
