Inviting The Devil Back In

Inviting The Devil Back In
The office buzzed with the soft hum of printers, quiet footsteps, and the muffled chatter of executives moving from one meeting room to another. Sophia’s mind was nowhere near the Utah project documents spread out across her desk. She kept glancing toward her phone, willing it to ring.

When it finally did, she snatched it up so quickly she almost dropped it.

“Miss Crest,” the private investigator’s calm voice drifted through. “I have some new information for you. Something quite interesting.”

Her heart skipped. “Okay. I’m at work now and I'm quite busy, but I have a few minutes to spare. What did you find?”

“I’ll send a fax shortly. You might want to look at it when you’re alone,” he said. “As for the details, well, they’re best discussed in person, especially since you're busy.”

Evelyn straightened in her chair, pulse picking up. “Good. I’m in the middle of something, but I’ll call you when I’m done. We can meet across the street. There’s a coffee shop, Bean Loft. Three hours from now.”

“Perfect. I’ll be waiting.”

He hung up. Sophia stared at her phone for a beat, her breath hitching. Information that was “quite interesting”? Her stomach tightened. She felt both dread and anticipation curling inside her. She couldn't wait, Tessa Bloom wouldn't believe what was coming for her.

But she had no time to process. She grabbed the meeting file and walked straight to Damien’s office, heels clicking sharply against the polished floors.

She knocked lightly and stepped inside.

“Damien,” she said, professional and composed though her heart was racing, “the meeting with Julius Blackwell begins in thirty minutes. The Utah project team will be joining as well.”

Damien looked up, nodding once. “Good. Thank you.” He paused, studying her expression. “Was there something else?”

Sophia’s throat tightened. She wanted to tell him. Or maybe she didn’t. Either way, she shook her head quickly. “No. It’s nothing.”

“Evelyn,” Damien said gently.

But she stepped back already, forcing a small smile. “It’s fine.” And she left before his concern could break down her defenses.

Back in her office, she couldn’t sit still. Her eyes drifted to the clock every few minutes. Three hours suddenly felt like three days. The thought of that fax coming through at any moment made her skin prickle.

She leaned back in her chair and exhaled. Whatever it was, she was ready. She was going to have Damien all to herself, and it's going to happen soon.

……….

Tessa was washing the last of Naya’s cereal bowl when she heard the knock.
A sharp, unexpected knock. Naya had left for school twenty minutes ago. She wasn’t expecting anyone.

Quietly, she wiped her hands and padded toward the door, peeking through the peephole, it was Roderick.

Holding two brown takeout bags from Morning best, one of the most expensive breakfast cafés in the city.

Her brows rose. She unlocked the door.

“Hi,” she said, surprised. “I… wasn’t expecting you.”

Roderick smiled in that gentle, easy way only he could. “Good morning. Can I come in?”

“Sure. Of course.” She stepped aside.

He walked in, holding out the bags. “This is for you. I was grabbing breakfast and thought why not pick up something for you too?”

Tessa blinked, touched. “Roderick you didn’t have to. But thank you. Really.”

She carried the food into the kitchen, plating everything while he took a seat on the couch, acting like he was interested in whatever was showing on the TV. Minutes later they sat across from each other, eating fluffy pancakes, syrup drizzling over the edges, the smell of warm butter filling the room.

They talked about the weather, how Utah mornings were unpredictable this time of year. They laughed about a strange news clip playing on the TV, sharing a quiet familiarity that felt comfortable.

Then Roderick cleared his throat.

“Tessa… I saw Jordan yesterday.”

Tessa stopped chewing. “Where?”

He continued carefully, watching her face. “He was standing outside, looking furious. Said he was trying to call you, but you weren’t picking up.”

Her jaw tightened instantly. “He came to my house?”

Roderick nodded slowly, hating every word he had to deliver. “Yeah, I really don't know what the problem is, but he kept asking me disturbing questions. He asked me if I knew any good lawyers.”

Tessa scoffed incredulously. “Lawyers? What for?”

“He said you’re trying to take his daughter away from him.”

Tessa slammed her fork down, fury instantly flooding her. “His daughter? Naya is not his child! How dare he come to my doorstep and start running his mouth?!”

Roderick leaned forward. “I didn’t tell him anything. No lawyer numbers. Nothing. Don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried.” Tessa’s voice was sharp. “I’m pissed. The audacity. The entitlement. After everything he put me through, now he thinks he can just…just show up and threaten my life? Threaten my child?!”

Her breathing was heavy, her chest rising and falling. Roderick reached out a hand, placing it gently on hers. “Tessa… are you okay?”

She swallowed, trying to calm herself. “I’m fine. Really. Humans are so ungrateful, I can't believe I personally invited the devil back into my life.”

Roderick nodded. “If it makes you feel any better, I think he’s bluffing. He asked what school Maya attends.”

Tessa’s head snapped up. “He what?” It keeps getting worse. Was he trying to kidnap her child?

“He asked,” Roderick repeated quietly. “I didn’t say anything, Tessa. I would never tell him.” Roderick knew what he was doing, her expression was expected and he knows Jordan is cooked.

Her pulse throbbed in her ears. Tessa took a shaky breath. “I don’t know what game he’s playing, but I’m done playing nice, I’m done being quiet.”

Roderick smiled softly. “I understand how you feel.”

They finished breakfast slowly, but Tessa’s mind was no longer on pancakes.

It was on Jordan, he was beginning to take the joke too far and one thing she wouldn't take from him is stepping the line with her daughter.

As Roderick left, she thanked him for breakfast and grabbed her keys. She'll go to the police station to file a restraining order against Jordan and then drive over to his place. She needs to set him straight.