Jessie POV
Oliver's chest rises and falls. Strangely, he was quick to fall asleep tonight. He said he has a huge surprise for me tomorrow. I can't wait, and I hope it's about him finally accepting treatment.
With a smile, I tie my robe around my waist and shut the door softly, mindful not to wake him up.
What Oliver did is still surreal to my mind. A smile pops up every time I think about it. He made me feel I wasn't just a backdrop in his lifeâa feeling I never knew could be so powerful.
"What are we all smiles about?" I am met with Gina, who looks like she is sneaking back into the house.
I roll my eyes at her. "Like you would want to know," I say.
She licks her lips and smirks at me. "You are right, I don't care," she says.
As she walks away, something catches my attention. The back of her sky-blue tight skirt has splatters that look like blood. I can't get a clear look as she is already out of sight.
Maybe it's my sleuth detective mind overthinking. I shake my head and head to the kitchen. I pour myself some juice and head towards the living room. I regret my decision as soon as I find Lucy seated, glued to her laptop.
She said she had no keys to her apartment. Her sister had them and was out of town, hence her spending the night.
My plan is quickly ruined. I only needed some minutes to myself to think if I should tell Oliver about Iris.
"You couldn't sleep either?" she asks.
I nod and look around confused, then decide. It is my home, so I walk to the empty couch and sit.
Silence falls, and I sip my juice longer than I should.
"Olly and I made a pact to marry each other after five years, which lapsed two months ago," Lucy says.
I hate how she calls him Olly.
"Zak told me," I say and sip my juice.
"Zak?" She raises an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "I thought he hated the name his father gave him."
"Maybe you don't know him as well as you think," I reply, unapologetic.
With Oliver, I finally feel secure in my place. He's given me the confidence to defend it. With Grey, back then, confronting Talia left me feeling exposed and foolish.
She smiles and puts her laptop aside. "You don't really like me, do you?"
"You are my husband's longtime acquaintance. I can pretend to tolerate you. But I know your intentions, so I don't like you," I say.
"Acquaintances?" Lucy huffs. "Olly and I go way backâto college. We studied together, tackled projects, and I was there through his hardest times. Trust me, we're more than just acquaintances."
"Maybe so," I reply calmly. "But even with all that, you're not his wife. I am."
She laughs, and I just stare at her. "I am a very determined woman," she says.
"How selfish can you be to try to make his life harder with drama, especially now that he is sick?" I state.
Her eyes find mine and stare at me, trying to assess what I have said.
"What do you mean he is sick?" she asks.
Shit! Did I just share something that was not meant for me to?
"Nothing, just a slip of the tongue," I say and hope she buys it.
If she didn't know, then Oliver probably deliberately didn't tell her. I pray she buys my excuse and doesn't follow up.
Because that will piss Oliver.
Iris is back.
I don't know how true this information is or if it is just a way for Grey to torment me.
They could never stand each other. Iris saw him as less intellectual compared to her, and Grey saw her as classist and spoiled.
It surprises me that she sought refuge with him. Clever, since none of my parents would ever imagine she was at Grey's.
I smile at the thought of their perfect daughter hiding at the man's house they detest.
"You have been glowing and smiling endlessly," Oliver says beside me.
He is driving me to the surprise he told me about.
"I just feel like a new person," I say.
"You don't say," he smiles back.
He zeroes his full attention on driving, and I just stare at him. Should I tell him about Iris, even if it may not be true? Did she come back to take her place? How do I feel about it? Most importantly, how will Oliver feel about it?
I decide to tell him at the end of the day, afraid it may ruin the day, and I am really looking forward to the surprise.
"What are we doing here?" I ask when I see the familiar road that leads to my former university.
"I know it is your dream to complete your degree. Your father spoke of the letters you sent him," Oliver says.
"Now you are friends with him?" I ask. Should I tell him about my father and the man he met?
"We only share a common interest, and it is you," he replies.
I sigh, "Well, I am sorry to say that you wasted your time because I was expelled, never to be allowed anywhere near here," I say.
Oliver remains silent as he drives through the tall iron gates, altogether ignoring me. He drives around until he finds a place to park.
His security men park beside us, and I see them get out while Oliver hesitates.
"Relax, I know you were expelled. I just don't know why. But all will be well," he says.
Why would he raise my hopes now? The thought alone makes my heart race.
The idea of finishing my degree and becoming a detective is overwhelming. I can't help but feel a spark of excitement and also fear.
Like he can read my mind, his hand reaches for my face, and I lean in for the caress, but it ends too soon for my comfort.
We both alight, and I look around. Nothing has changed. Not that I expected it to. It is an old university and prides itself on its ancient structures.
I look around, and my past comes crashing back. I can hardly breathe. This is too much.
"Jessica, you missed the point. You never went beyond the evidence," my professor said.
That is how I failed Jojo, and an innocent man went to prison, leaving me with paralyzing fear that I would never solve any case.
"I can't do this," I state, turning back and rushing to the car.
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