Chapter 020

**_~Michelle~_**

I sat at my desk, deeply engrossed in completing the final sketch of the device. I had no idea what Jake would come up with this time; he’d never been the creative type. That lack of creativity had led him to steal my designs in the past.

I honestly didn’t understand why Hughes thought he was fit for the job. Shaking my head, I pushed thoughts of Jake aside. Thinking about him hurt. Even now, the sound of his name in my mind has caused a twinge of unease in my chest. I clenched my teeth and forced my focus back on the sketch in front of me, determined not to let my mind wander to what once was.

The office was quiet, save for the faint murmur of voices drifting toward me. I was grateful I didn’t have to share a cubicle. Being surrounded by constant chatter would have made me far less productive. And I was one of the top designers in the company, so... Yeah.

A sudden buzz from my phone startled me. I glanced at the screen to see a message from an unknown number. My stomach knotted. For a moment, I didn’t touch the phone, just stared at it as my pulse quickened. Could it be him? The stalker?

My fingers hovered in midair before I mustered the courage to pick up the device. Swiping the screen, I opened the message with bated breath, my throat tight.

It wasn’t from the stalker. Relief swept over me like a crashing wave but was quickly replaced by confusion.

**_Unknown: Hey Michelle, it’s Jaxon. I hope this isn’t too forward, but I just wanted to check in. How’s it going?_**

Jaxon? My heart leaped, and I scolded myself for the reaction. Still, his message brought an unexpected warmth to my chest, and I smiled, if only for a moment.

How had he gotten my number? I stared at the message, debating whether to respond. Before I could overthink, my fingers moved on their own.

**Hey Jaxon, nice to hear from you. I’m doing okay—just busy with work. Should I ask how you got my contact?**

I saved his number. Having my next-door neighbor’s contact couldn’t hurt, right? His reply came almost immediately, leaving me wondering where he was. Shouldn’t he be in the hospital?

**_Jaxon: Barbara sent it to me. She asked me to check on you. :⁠-⁠D_**

The corners of my lips twitched upward. Nice one, Barbie. It was typical of her to meddle, though in this case, I didn’t mind. I hovered over the keys, unsure how to reply, when a knock sounded at the door.

The door creaked open, and my head snapped up. My mood, which had brightened moments ago, dropped like a stone. Jake stood in the doorway, files tucked under his arm.

“Michelle,” he said, his voice too casual, too familiar.

“What do you need?” I asked, my tone crisp and professional. My fingers tightened around my phone, and I genuinely feared for the poor screen.

He stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, crossing the room to my desk. “I brought the sketches. You wanted them by noon, right?”

I eyed him suspiciously as he laid the files on my desk. My gaze lingered on them, curiosity bubbling. What had he come up with?

“Thank you,” I said curtly, hoping he’d leave. But he didn’t. Instead, he lingered, his gaze searching my face.

“Is that all?” I asked, my voice edged with impatience. “I’m busy, Jake.”

He sighed heavily, his expression softening into something I didn’t trust. “Michelle, I’m sorry.”

I raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Oh no, we weren’t doing this.

“For everything,” he continued, his voice low and almost pleading. “I know I messed up. I shouldn’t have done what I did.”

“But you did,” I said coldly, inspecting my nails. Their color suddenly seemed fascinating.

He winced, but I felt no satisfaction. His eyes met mine, and for a brief moment, I saw a flicker of vulnerability. It didn’t matter. I wasn’t about to let him worm his way back into my life.

As far as I was concerned, I was done with Jake.

“I want us to try again,” he said, his voice firm now. “I miss you, Michelle. We were good together.”

I stared at him, dumbfounded. Was he serious? He’d stolen my designs, humiliated me, and said things I refused to replay in my head.

“Jake,” I said calmly, “this isn’t the time or place for this conversation. And frankly, there’s nothing to talk about. Please leave.”

“Michelle—”

“Leave,” I repeated, my tone steely. He wasn’t going to waltz into my office and demand a place in my life.

He hesitated, his shoulders slumping before he finally turned and walked out the door. I exhaled a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, leaning back in my chair and closing my eyes.

How had he worked up the nerve to say those things? Did he think I’d forget everything and take him back? I shook my head. He’d clearly lost his mind.

My phone buzzed again, and I glanced at it, grateful for the distraction. Jaxon’s name lit up the screen, and just like that, my heart stuttered.

**_Jaxon: What are you doing, Red?_**

I stared at the text, rereading it several times. Did he just… call me Red? My cheeks flushed despite myself, my skin tingling at the nickname.

After exchanging a few texts, I forced myself to refocus on finishing my sketch. Jake’s file sat beside me, taunting me. With a deep breath, I decided to take a look.

Flipping through the pages, I froze. The sketches were my unfinished designs—ones I’d lost while Jake and I were dating. He’d assured me I’d misplaced them. Now it was clear.

He hadn’t brought new sketches. He had instead brought the designs I hadn't completed. His motive was clear —he wanted me to complete the ones he’d stolen that I had no idea about.

That bastard.