Chapter 28 CORNERED
Clara’s POV:
I had no idea what I’d said to make Jake react like that.
For a moment, I’d thought the weight I’d been carrying all night was finally gone.
I’d been brutally honest, hoping that would at least give us both some clarity.
But now… I wasn’t sure.
The way he laughed - and then abruptly stopped - sent a cold curl through my stomach.
I didn’t know if I should feel relieved that everything was out in the open… or scared, because my heart was hammering like it wanted to escape my chest.
And the worst part? I couldn’t read him. Not his face, not his silence, not the sudden shift in the air between us.
Something had changed - and I didn’t know if it was him… or me.
I opened my mouth to speak, but Jake ran a hand through his hair, letting out a long, frustrated sigh, quiet, but sharp enough to catch the low “…fuck” underneath his breath.
My frown deepened as he began pacing, each step tight with tension, like he was trying to outrun his own thoughts.
Each step tightened the knot in my chest.
I swallowed hard. “Jake… what’s going on? Did I—”
Before I could finish, he closed the distance in a heartbeat. One second, he was pacing; the next, he was right in front of me.
I flinched as his hand gripped my arm - not harshly, but firm enough to pin me in place.
“Clara…” he muttered, low and strained, more hurt than angry, “What the hell are you doing to me?”
I stiffened. “Jake… what did I do?” I murmured, my chest tight.
His fingers dug into my arm - not hard, but tensed, like I was the only thing keeping him steady. I flinched.
He didn’t notice. Not at first.
He looked… shattered. Hurt, angry, and raw, like something inside him had finally snapped.
“Clara,” his voice cracked, “Do I look like a joke to you?”
His eyes burned into mine, searching, desperate.
I swallowed hard. I’d never seen him like this - no teasing, no mask, just… raw.
“Jake—” I started, but he shook his head.
“Don’t do this,” he whispered, voice trembling. “I know you don’t feel the same… not yet. But we can make this work. I’ve waited so long for this, Clara… and now this is what I get?”
His grip tightened, not enough to hurt, but enough to make my heart pound the wrong way.
“Jake… let go,” I said, voice shaky.
He didn’t respond, lost in whatever storm was in his head.
“Jake!” I snapped, louder this time.
“Seriously… let go. Please, you're hurting me!!”
Finally, my words cut through. He froze.
His eyes dropped to his hand on my arm, and it hit him all at once. His face crumpled with shock and regret.
“Clara…” he breathed, letting go instantly. “I… I didn’t mean—shit, I’m sorry.”
I pulled my arm back, the skin warm and tender, already showing the pressure.
His gaze locked on the faint mark forming there, and his face went pale.
“Clara,” he whispered, voice cracking, “I swear… I wasn’t thinking. I didn’t mean it.”
I stayed quiet.
Angry? Scared? Heartbroken for him? Probably all three.
Jake stepped closer, worry tightening his features. I pulled back instinctively.
“It’s okay, Jake,” I said, rubbing my arm gently.
He didn’t stop. Another slow step, voice softer this time.
“Clara,” he said, voice tight, “You really think this doesn’t matter to me? That tonight - everything - means nothing?”
He shook his head, trying to steady himself. “Do you even see what you mean to me? How long have I cared?”
His voice dropped, raw and heavy. “I’ve held it all in, waiting for the right moment… hoping you’d notice…hoping you'd… just see me.”
He swallowed hard, the words like fire on his tongue.
“And now you’re telling me you’ll never feel anything?” His eyes scanned my face, desperate.
“Clara… how am I supposed to hear that and just… walk away?”
He ran a hand through his hair, voice tight with frustration.
“I’ve tried… I’ve tried to do everything right. Give you space, time… whatever you needed. And now, the one time I think I finally have a shot, you shut the door.”
No anger now. Just hurt.
Deep, raw hurt that rattled the air between us.
“Don’t tell me this doesn’t matter… don’t act like I’m someone you can just step around.” His voice cracked on the last word.
Guilt pressed down on me, heavy and sharp. He deserved honesty. He deserved someone who didn’t agree to a date she wasn’t ready for.
He deserved clarity - not confusion.
I swallowed hard, my throat tight.
When he finally stopped, my chest twisted with guilt. This was on me. I shouldn’t have agreed to the date. I shouldn’t have lied to myself about what I felt.
“I’m… sorry, Jake,” I whispered. “I can’t do this.”
He blinked, hurt flashing in his eyes.
“You have to understand,” I added, voice trembling.
He said nothing. Just stared, disappointment and quiet hurt making my stomach sink.
I held his gaze for one more second, feeling it burns through me… then I turned away.
I started walking, forcing myself not to look back. Fine. I’d find my way home. I just needed to get out of here before the guilt swallowed me whole.
I had barely taken two steps when I heard it—
A low, dark chuckle.
It sliced through the quiet night and made me freeze instantly.
A chill crawled up my spine before I could stop it.
“My instincts were right all along,” Jake muttered.
Slowly - slow enough that my heart thudded painfully—I turned around.
He was staring at me - not with warmth, not with hurt. Just… trying to figure me out, like I was a puzzle he couldn’t solve.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a frustrated sigh.
“Funny… you think you can just say your piece and walk away, Clara,” he said, voice low and sharp.
My throat went dry.
He stepped closer, hand falling to his side. “So, what was the plan? Spill your feelings… then vanish like it meant nothing?”
The air between us felt suffocating.
His tone had changed. This wasn’t the Jake I knew - disappointed, maybe annoyed. This… this was sharper, colder.
And suddenly I became very aware of our surroundings.
The street was quiet.
The café lights were off - the owner must’ve locked up already.
Just the two of us under the dim streetlight, and my confidence was slipping fast.
“Jake…” I said cautiously, trying to keep my voice steady, “You’re reading this all wrong.”
He let out a dry, sharp laugh.
“Really? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you played me, Clara. You dragged me out here, made me think you wanted this… and now you’re done?”
I shook my head quickly.
“That’s not it. I… I shouldn’t have come. I shouldn’t have said yes. I’m just trying to be honest.”
He studied me, eyes flicking over every hint of fear on my face.
And the worst part? He was reading me perfectly.
“Honest?” he repeated, voice low, almost mocking. “Yeah… right.”
My heart started hammering. The empty street, his shifting tone, the way he stared at me like I was a stranger - it all felt wrong.
My palms were slick, my thoughts scrambling to stay calm, logical, steady. But my instincts screamed danger.
This wasn’t the Jake I had come out with tonight.
This was a cornered, wounded Jake - someone who couldn’t handle rejection, and it made him unpredictable.
A frown dug into his brow as he stepped closer, his presence pressing down on me.
“It’s him, isn’t it?” His voice was low, tight, almost trembling with barely controlled anger.
My heart hammered in my chest. What's he talking about?
“It’s because of Professor Asher, right?” he added, each word sharp.
My blood ran cold. He was right. Always knew. But how? I hadn’t given him a single reason to.
Before I could speak, he was right in front of me, every line of frustration on his face painfully clear.
“You’re turning me down… because of him?!” His voice cracked, sharp with anger.
“What does he have that I don’t, Clara? Tell me!”
I instinctively stepped back, mind spinning.
How did he even know it was Professor Asher? He’d never caught us together… had he?
“Fuck! I should’ve known all along. I never missed the way his eyes were always on you. I knew something was going on between you two, but I just couldn’t prove it!” Jake said, jaw clenched, and I felt my nerves spike - he’d noticed everything from the very start.
Could he… possibly know we've been intimate? Or maybe he’d seen us in his office that day, in that compromising situation?
Even when he mentioned Professor Asher’s name before, I should’ve realized - he always had a clue.
Before I could react, he grabbed my arm, twisting it sharply. A yelp tore from my throat.
“Where is it?” he demanded, voice low and dangerous, eyes locked on the crook of my elbow.
I froze, heart pounding. “W-what… J-jake,”
“That mark,” he growled, jaw tight, flames in his eyes. “That damn mark thinks it can tie you to him!”
I swallowed hard, chest tightening.
Mark? … Tie me to him? I didn’t understand.
Summoning every bit of strength, I wrenched my arm free and shoved him back. My shoulder hit his chest, and he staggered.
“Jake! What’s your problem?” I snapped, voice trembling but sharp.
“I was wrong, yes - but that doesn’t give you the right to manhandle me! And what mark are you even talking about?!”
He didn’t answer. His jaw was tight, eyes dark with something I didn’t want to name.
I tried to pass, but he yanked me back, shoving me toward his car.
“Just do as I say, Clara,” he growled, low and dangerous. “Cooperate, and you’ll thank me later.”
What has gotten into him?
I shook my head, fear screaming inside me. “No! Stop—”
Before I could react, he yanked the car door open, trying to drag me in.
Panic took over. My knee shot up, hitting him square in the groin.
He groaned, collapsing to the ground, clutching himself.
Heart racing, adrenaline surging, I didn’t wait - I bolted into the night.
The dark street swallowed me. I had no idea where I was going - just that I had to get away.
My dress slowed me down, so I grabbed the hem and ran faster.
“Clara! Wait—Clara, please don't!” Behind me, I heard him groan and call out, voice raw and pained:
“Come back! Damn it, just—don’t leave me like this!”
I skidded to a stop, my chest heaving, and turned. He was still on the ground, clutching himself, eyes squeezed shut.
Part of me wanted to go back, to help him - but then I remembered the look in his eyes earlier, the rage I’d never seen before.
No. I couldn’t. Not like this.
I turned and ran again, heart racing. In a deserted alley, my foot struck a rock, sending a sharp pain up my leg.
I stumbled, hissing, and looked down to see blood smeared across my toe. Gritting my teeth, I forced myself upright.
Somehow, I limped my way onto the school grounds, dizzy and out of breath.
My phone’s glow lit up the deserted courtyard.
I tried to take the first step - but misjudged it and lurched backward.
A hand clamped around my wrist, pulling me into a firm chest. I gasped, looking up - only to meet those familiar honey-brown eyes.
“P-Professor Asher?” I breathed, stunned.