Chapter 65 66

Chapter 65 66
Chapter Sixty Six.

Tess POV_

The flash drive sat heavy in my pocket as I left the park, my mind spinning. Derek’s involvement was unexpected, but I couldn’t deny the sense of relief that came with his help. It felt like, for the first time since Helen’s threats began, I had a real chance at turning things around,but the weight of everything still pressed down on me.

When I got back to my apartment, I sank onto the couch, pulling the drive from my pocket and staring at it. This little piece of plastic held Helen’s secret….her Achilles’ heel. 

I leaned back in my chair, the questions gnawing at me. I wanted to trust Derek. He’d always been reliable, and he clearly cared enough to help me now. But there was a nagging doubt in the back of my mind, one that I couldn’t quite shake. What was he hiding?

A sudden knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts, and I jumped to my feet, my heart racing. 

For a split second, I thought it might be Damien again, but when I opened the door, It was Jane and Ana. 

They both looked concerned, their eyes searching mine for answers.

“Tessa, are you okay?” Jane asked, stepping inside. “We’ve been worried about you.”

I forced a smile, trying to push away the storm of emotions swirling inside me. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just... dealing with some things.”

Ana frowned, her gaze flickering to the laptop still open on the table. “What kind of things?”

I hesitated, glancing back at the screen before quickly closing the laptop. “Nothing you need to worry about. I’m handling it.”

Jane crossed her arms, clearly not convinced. “Tessa, you’ve been acting strange ever since we got back. You’re shutting us out. What’s going on?”

I swallowed hard, the weight of their concern pressing down on me. They had no idea how deep this went, how much danger I was in. And I couldn’t tell them….not without putting them at risk too.

“It’s complicated,” I said, my voice tight. “But I promise, I’m handling it.”

Ana gave me a skeptical look, but Jane seemed to sense that I wasn’t ready to talk. She placed a hand on my shoulder, giving me a small, reassuring smile.

“Just know we’re here if you need us,” she said softly. “You don’t have to do this alone.”

I nodded, grateful for their support even if I couldn’t let them in. As they left, I sat back down, my mind racing. I couldn’t do this alone….but I couldn’t drag them into it either.

My phone buzzed, and I glanced at the screen, expecting another message from Helen. But it wasn’t her.

It was Derek.

“Everything alright? I have more info if you need it. Let me know.”

I stared at the message for a long moment, my mind torn between gratitude and suspicion. 

Derek was helping me, but there was something off about the whole situation. Why did he have so much information on Helen? And why now, after all this time?

I needed answers, I also needed to be careful. 

Derek might be my best shot at stopping Helen, but I couldn’t blindly trust him,not until I knew more about his motives and how he got to know Helen even so much about her.

I typed out a response, my fingers hovering over the keyboard for a moment before I hit send.

“Thanks for the help. Let’s meet again soon, there’s something I need to ask you.”

I wasn’t sure where this would lead, but one thing was certain that he would not turn me down.

I was so engrossed in what I was looking at as I stared at the screen with all concentration and focus, I was brought back to consciousness by the shrill sound of my phone ringing. 

My heart skipped a beat as I saw Helen’s name flashing on the screen. I knew this call was coming, but it didn’t make it any easier to answer.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself, and pressed the green button. “What do you want, and how can I help you?”

Her voice was cool, almost bored, as she spoke. “Good evening, Theresa. I trust you’ve had time to think things over?”

I didn’t waste time on pleasantries. “I know about Jeremy,” I said, my voice sharp. “I know about everything. So, if you think you can threaten me and get away with it, you’re dead wrong.”

There was a pause on the other end, and I could almost picture Her expression ... .a slight smirk, amused rather than worried. “Jeremy?” she repeated, her tone dripping with mock curiosity. “Oh, that, you must have been doing your homework really well, but do you really think that changes anything?”

I gripped the phone tighter, my pulse racing. “I have enough on you to destroy your entire life. Your perfect little image will crumble, and you’ll lose everything. You want me to leave? Fine, but know that I’m not going without a fight.”

Helen’s laugh was low and dismissive, like I was a child trying to play a game I didn’t understand. “You think you’re so clever, don’t you? But let me give you a piece of advice, darling. You’re way over your head, you can play your little games, but in the end, you’ll only hurt yourself. Leave California now, if you value your life.”

I clenched my teeth, refusing to back down. “I’m not afraid of you, Helen, I am not scared of your little threats okay?.”

Her tone shifted, becoming colder, more malicious. “Maybe you should be, you’re not the only one with something to lose. How’s your mother, by the way? How about I pay her a visit, what do you think ?”

My blood ran cold at the mention of my mom. Helen’s words were vague, but the consequences were visible, I knew she found out about my mom's apartment and I had no idea how she got that information.

“You stay away from my family,” I snapped, but my voice shook slightly, betraying my nerves.

Helen chuckled softly. “Oh, Tessa Darling. So predictable. Always thinking you can protect everyone, just remember this…..sometimes the ones you love are the easiest to hurt.” 

Before I could respond, the line went dead.