Chapter 27 — Chasing Danger

In the Shadow Of Jealousy
Evan stood close to the girl in the photo, though the angle made it unclear how near they really were. She leaned slightly toward him, her features mostly obscured by the blur, making it impossible to judge their exact distance.

He wore a crisp three‑piece suit, posture calm and composed, while the girl’s face remained mostly indistinct, leaving their closeness open to interpretation.

The image pierced straight through her chest.

The sight of what looked like closeness, effortless and natural, made Jenna’s chest tighten. Tears welled up, spilling over as the warmth of betrayal burned through her.

No, Evan, you can’t be that!

She panicked, and her breath hitched, caught in a moment of hesitation over the screen.

Have I pushed him away too much?

The realization hit her hard. She clutched the chair’s armrest, nails whitening.

Has he lost interest in me because I never let him get close?

She leaned forward, pressing her face into her palms, as Alexa’s voice cut sharply through her mind.

“I know you hate him, Jenna… but never push him away. Never let him lose interest. He will have other options—but you’re supposed to be the one he chooses. Do you think life will be easy after him? His name will always be tied to yours. Don’t fool yourself. Distance won’t protect you.”

The words sliced through her, each one landing heavier than she expected. She sniffled, the tears slipping faster than she could stop.

“Being bothered by someone is natural, Jenna… but don’t let the gap grow between you. Make him chase you, whether through defiance, silence, or love. But never, ever, let another girl take your place. Men lose interest too easily. Marriage length doesn’t matter, twenty years, more, even with children. You don’t see the world the way I do. When I tell you something, take it as a red signal.”

She remembered Alexa’s sharp scolding when she had shown no excitement about their marriage date, and when she had told her about Evan’s gifts, and how she had responded.

The memory pressed in on her, relentless and vivid, as if Alexa were still there, reminding her of what she must not forget.

Alexa, always so serious and sharp despite being two and a half years younger, had given her advice without caring about their age difference, her perspective shaped by law school.

“I made a mistake, Alexa… I didn’t care about your words.”

She wiped at her tear‑streaked cheeks.

The suffocating thought clawed at her chest, and she could no longer sit still.

She grabbed her phone and rushed out of the balcony frame, desperate to escape the walls closing in on her, needing air, needing to check if he got back home—only to collide with something solid and familiar, a figure that steadied her in place.

“Huh? What’s got you running blind?” he scoffed, a dark smirk playing on his lips, until his eyes caught the tear tracks streaking down her face.

She flared her nostrils, inhaling deeply, making him twitch his eyebrows.

“Exactly that Anna Grint!” she spat, curling her fingers around her phone like a lifeline as he tilted his head questioningly.

“Anna Grint? Who’s she, and why do you look… upset?” he asked, loosening his tie, completely unaware.

She let out a shaky sigh while nodding her head in a verdict, turned on her screen, and held the phone out to him, showing him the picture.

“See this? Is this where you’ve been all day? Is this the business you’re running, and is that the woman you meet with in late‑night sessions?”

He took the phone from her, read the headline, scrolled through the pictures, and shook his head, calm.

She frowned, expecting a reaction, but his expression didn’t change.

“What nonsense is this, Jenna? Fake news upsetting you?” He tossed the phone onto the bed, shrugged off his blazer, and turned to empty his pockets on the nightstand.

“Is this fake? The way you’re standing with her, as if she’s not just another girl?” Her voice shook, each word heavier with accusation than question.

“Come on, kitten. I barely have time to breathe, and you’re taking this nonsense seriously?” he said, bored as he unbuttoned his shirt, while she kept glaring at him, her eyes heavy with emotion.

“These fake scandals are common for us mafias. And if I were doing anything wrong, do you think I’d do it openly, right there where you’re sleeping? Just ignore them and bring my clothes.”

He sat on the edge of the bed as she said nothing more, casting him a final, icy glare before turning to fetch his clothes.



Later, at the dining table

She didn’t lift her head or meet his gaze, though he kept stealing glances at her, noting the lingering upset in her eyes.

As she served the food in silence, he leaned slightly forward.

His sharp gaze lingered on her, and she felt it like a weight on her back, forcing her to shrink slightly at the intensity.

“Still upset, huh?” he asked, his dark eyes gleaming as he held his spoon, drawing her gaze despite herself.

“Nothing to say,” she replied curtly, lowering her eyes back to her plate and hurriedly scooping a spoonful of rice. He nodded slowly, unbothered.

“When you don’t want me, then why does it bother you? Why does it matter who I’m with or who seems close to me in a picture?” he asked, intentionally watching her reaction.

She paused mid‑bite, a sudden cough escaping her as she lifted her head, and he smirked at her reaction.

Her jaw tightened, eyes narrowing as she glared at him. “Because no one else has the right to be associated with you like that,” she said, her voice low, every word dripping with possessiveness.

He raised an eyebrow, a slow, amused smile tugging at his lips. “Oh, really? And who made you the owner of my heart, kitten?” His voice is smooth, teasing yet edged with challenge.

“Because you’re mine, whether you like it or not,” she said, jaw tight, refusing to back down. “I hate how closely she looked to you in that picture.”

He froze, the spoon stopping midair. For a long breath, his face stayed perfectly still, shock flickering there before something darker crept in, a glint of amusement barely reaching his jaw. His dark doe-like eyes swept over her face, taking her in.

The air between them turned to glass, ready to shatter.