I think about how great Rick and I would have been together had he not left me at the altar, and equally about how I should have just left him alone that day he invited me for a ride in his car. I want to take back the pain I have caused everyone, but what is done is done. What I can do now is come clean about Jacob.
The night Jacob and I had sex in your home, I snuck into a side window that had been left open. I went into your bedroom and hid in your massive closet after you left. I dressed in your clothes. I put on your perfume. I wanted to be you, because you had everything I coveted. While Jacob was in the kitchen, I slipped into his study and put a ketamine pill in his drink, which he drank as he worked on his laptop. He went to sleep. When he woke up, he was in a trance-like state. He could move around and talk to me, though. I knew he thought I was you, but I didn’t care. He called your name and said sweet things about you as I took advantage of his drowsy state imagining that I was you.
No child came out of our time together, so you and Jacob can live your lives without any further interference from me. I would say I’m sorry, but it’s not enough for all the pain I caused. Therefore, I will just plead for you to love Jacob in a way that I wasn’t equipped to do as his best friend or lover. If I die in this prison, that is my only wish. My only chance at redemption.
I’ll be repenting until the day I die.
Justine
Chapter Sixteen
Jacob
“Is Destiny still in Miami?” I asked my father when he answered his phone. “I’ve been trying to call her but she’s not answering.”
“No, she should be back in Atlanta by now, Son. Is there a problem?” he asked.
“No, I’m just checking on her. Maybe she hasn’t answered because she’s still on the plane,” I reasoned.
“Could be, Son. After you talk to her, give me a call to let me know she made it safely,” he said.
“Sure thing, Dad. Have a good night.”
“You too, Son.”
I hung up the phone, figuring I might as well go to my penthouse suite and take a shower. I had been staying at Destiny’s house for the past week. I didn’t feel comfortable being there without her, though. It wasn’t our domain. It was the house she built with Montie. Until she was back in our home in Miami, or one that we would build in Atlanta, I wouldn’t be satisfied.
Henry pulled into the loop at the Marriott Marquis and let me out. I greeted the bellhop and hopped on the elevator. I arrived in my room, kicked off my shoes and began to take off my clothes. I went into the bathroom and showered for the next thirty minutes. It felt so good rinsing under the hot shower spray that beat my skin in various rhythms. When I exited the shower, I felt like a new man.
I grabbed a towel and dried off before wrapping another around my waist. I had just began brushing my teeth when the doorbell rang. I wasn’t expecting anyone, so I slipped into my pajama pants.
“Who is it?” I called out as I ran down the hallway to the front door.
“Jacob.”
I picked up my pace when I heard Destiny’s voice.
“Hey baby,” I greeted her by pulling her into my arms.
“Hey.”
“You look tired. Are you feeling okay? Have a seat,” I escorted her to the couch in the living room and guided her down onto my lap. My baby was rounding off her belly, since she turned five months pregnant, and I was extra protective of her.
“I’m fine, Jacob. I’m just glad I found you here,” she said.
“I’m glad you found me, too,” I said, placing feather like kisses on her cheek.
“I have to talk to you,” she said, but I should stand. She waddled out of my lap to her feet. The beautiful grin on her face was killing me with suspense.
“Have you found out the sex of the baby?” I asked impatiently.
“No, that appointment isn’t until next week, and you’re going with me, babe,” she said. “It’s not about the baby.”
Whatever she had to tell me had brought the old Destiny back. I liked what she had to say already, without even knowing the details.
“It’s Justine,” she announced, causing my good mood to evaporate into thin air.
“If she has done something else to hurt you, Destiny, I’m taking care of her once and for all,” I warned.