Chapter 234

Hannah

“Hello, Hannah. I see you’re already dressed for a swim.”

I didn't even have a chance to be scared by that statement; I could only stare at Jake in disbelief, my mind reeling from his sudden appearance. This wasn't the Jake I knew. Yes, he was a cheater and a liar, but a kidnapper? And a murderer?

No, this had to be some kind of bizarre nightmare. Maybe I was still back in the hot tub, dozing off and dreaming from the heat.

But even then, in my heart, I knew that wasn't true. If this was a nightmare, why hadn't I woken up yet?

“What’s going on, Jake?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me and the throbbing pain in my body from being attacked. “Why are you here?”

Jake sneered, his once-friendly face now twisted with malice. “Oh, Hannah. Always so curious, aren’t you? Well, I suppose you deserve to know the truth now. After all, you seem to have worked so hard to uncover it.”

He began to pace in front of me, his eyes never leaving mine. “You see, I’ve always known I was gay,” he began. “I never had any interest in women, least of all Amber.” He shuddered at the mention of her name, and I felt my blood boil. Even now, on the edge of a cliff with a waterfall raging below, the thought of someone speaking poorly about my friend filled me with fury.

“But that airhead…” He shook his head and clicked his tongue. “She bought my act for four years. Hook, line, and sinker.”

“But… why?” I asked, struggling to comprehend this madness. “Why pretend for so long? Why propose to her if you didn’t love her?”

Jake laughed, a cold, humorless sound that sent chills down my spine. “Money, of course. Amber’s family fortune, to be precise.”

So that was it: her enormous family fortune. I should have known from the beginning.

“The plan was simple,” he continued, counting on his fingers. “I just had to seduce her, marry her, then convince her to sign over a sizable chunk of money before I divorced her. That was it.”

I felt sick to my stomach. “But how could you do that to her? She loved you! She trusted you!” I growled.

“Oh, please,” Jake scoffed, rolling his eyes and waving a dismissive hand. “No one would have gotten hurt. Amber has more money than she knows what to do with. She would still be comfortable even after I took my hefty share.”

“But that’s not the point,” I argued. “You lied to her, manipulated her… She was planning to spend her life with you, you bastard!”

At the sound of my rising voice, one of the armed men stepped forward and swiftly raised the butt of his gun. A jolt of pain lanced through me as he whacked me squarely on the back, causing me to double over and let out a strained grunt. Thankfully, my hands were tied in front of me, so I was able to catch myself—but just barely.

Jake sighed. “No need for that, Joseph,” he said, shaking his head. “Help her back up. I’m not finished with my evil villain speech.”

With a huff, the man—Joseph—grabbed my arm and righted me. I bared my fangs at him, but it did nothing. Finally, I sank back onto my heels and blew a strand of hair out of my eyes.

“I just don’t understand how you could do something like that to Amber,” I growled. “If you needed money, you know she would have helped you. She’s a sweet person who takes care of her friends. Why go straight for the cruel route rather than just… befriending her?”

“Befriend her? Please.” Jake scoffed and placed his hands on his hips. “I can’t stand that insipid little bitch. All she wants to do is go shopping and get her nails done. Do you know how many nights I had to sit up with her, pleasuring her with toys just to make her happy?”