Chapter 54 Chapter 54.

Chapter 54 Chapter 54.
Jane's POV.

I stepped out of the toilet after relieving myself. God, the rate at which my bladder gets filled up recently.

"Thank you for getting the door for me," I said to Ms Helen Shawn. She had come to see me regarding her case.

She flashed me a warm smile.

"Who was it by the way?" I asked. "A neighbor?"

"Your ex-husband," she answered and I froze.

"Ex-husband?" I repeated, my voice almost gone.

What is Adrian doing here? How did he find me?

"But he acted strangely though," she continued, piquing my attention again. "He just stared at me, and walked away without saying anything."

He just left?

That doesn't sit right.

Or... did he probably think that it was Helen who stays in this apartment and not me?

That's the only plausible explanation for this, and I'm grateful for it. He must never find out where I am, I don't want to see him.

"Attorney?" I felt Helen's gentle touch on my shoulder, and I looked up sharply at her.

"Are you alright?" She searched my face worriedly.

"I'm fine, just trying to figure out things," I answered honestly.

She nodded. "I understand."

I gave a half smile in return.

"Oh, I have to go now. My kids are at home, and I need to also get to grocery store too," she said and I nodded in understanding.

Kids. The word lit up my heart. I'm going to be a mother too soon.

"Bye, attorney," she pulled me into an unexpected hug that made me freeze in her embrace.

Well, look who's just gained someone's trust.

"Bye, Helen," I wished her in return, and she left.

As I was turning back into my apartment, I stopped and looked at the door opposite mine.

Something deep in my guts told me Adrian was behind that door, but I couldn't prove it... and I didn't want to either.

I stepped back into my apartment, and shut the door.

I fetched myself a cool bottle of water from the refrigerator and as I drank the water, my door opened.

"Jeez, you are the only person I know that disregards a Judge," I heard Ethan say.

I stepped out of the kitchen, and threw the bottle of water at him. "You need it to cool off."

He caught the bottle, and shook his head, but drank the water.

When Helen had come to see me earlier about her case, I had asked Ethan to step out and given us some privacy.

"How disrespectful," he hissed.

"You're a Judge, Ethan."

"But I'm not the one presiding over her case," he defended.

"Either way you're still a Judge. She wouldn't feel comfortable having you around," I retorted, and he went quiet because I was right.

We stood in silence for a while until I had to speak up. "Adrian was here today."

Shock, and a mix of fear clouded Ethan's expression. "You spoke to him?" Ethan asked.

"I didn't see him," I responded, and a wave of relief washed over him as his features relaxed. But then he shot up as realization hit him.

"If you didn't see him then how did you know he was here?" He asked.

"Helen told me," I responded. "She got the door for me while I was in the restroom."

"Oh," he nodded in understanding.

"How did he find me, Ethan?" I asked. "I didn't tell anyone about my whereabouts asides you and Helen so how did he find out?"

Ethan didn’t answer immediately. He just stood there, his jaw tightening slightly as his grip around the bottle stiffened.

"I don’t know," he finally said, but his voice lacked the certainty I needed.

I stared at him. "Ethan."

"I’m serious, Jane," he added quickly. "I didn’t tell him anything. I wouldn’t do that to you."

I wanted to believe him. I really did. But Adrian wasn’t the kind of man who just coincidentally shows up somewhere. Not twice. Not like this.

"Then how?" I pressed, my voice lowering. "This isn’t the first time, Ethan. I’ve seen someone… from the back. I thought I was imagining things but now—" My words trailed off as the realization settled deeper into my bones.

He had been here. Not just today, but before.

Ethan ran a hand through his hair, pacing slightly. "Okay… okay, let’s think about this logically."

"Logically?" I let out a soft, humorless laugh. "There’s nothing logical about Adrian showing up at my doorstep."

"Jane," he stopped in front of me, his voice firm now. "Panicking won’t help. We need to figure this out."

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to calm down.

He was right. As much as I hated it… he was right.

"Did you use any of your old details anywhere?" he asked. "Your previous address? Your name tied to something recent?"

I shook my head immediately. "No. I’ve been careful. I changed everything I could."

"Work?" he asked again, and I hesitated.

His eyes narrowed. "Jane."

"My name is still the same in court," I admitted quietly. "I can’t exactly hide my identity there. Everyone knows me as Attorney Jannie Reed, the ex-wife of Adrian Blackwood."

Ethan exhaled slowly, nodding. "That’s a possibility then. If he’s been looking for you, it wouldn’t be hard to trace your cases."

My stomach dropped. Of course Adrian would use something like that.

"Then it’s not a coincidence," I whispered.

Ethan didn’t respond, but the silence said enough.

A heavy weight settled in my chest. He’s looking for me.

My hand moved instinctively to my stomach, my fingers pressing lightly against it.

A thought crossed my mind... So what if he's here? I'm not gonna let him ruin my peace of mind and my happiness. I'm done with him!

Ethan closed the distance between us, and pulled me into a hug. "You don't have to worry..." he began, his voice soft and soothing. "...I'll make sure he never finds you."

"Thank you but there's no need for that," I pulled away from Ethan's embrace. He looked at me, confused.

"Let him do whatever he wants, let him find me."

"Jane..." Ethan's eyes dilated, his eyes holding so much concern.

"I don't give a damn about him anymore," I cut Ethan off. "I'm done with Adrian Blackwood." I finished off with finalty in my tone.

Forever.