Chapter 11
The police arrived quickly.
“This man mistook me for someone else and has been harassing me,” I said, looking exasperated as I handed over my ID. “My name is Jessica. It’s always been Jessica.”
“No, you’re Erica! Not Jessica! We grew up together–I can’t be mistaken!” Brook looked at my ID but refused to believe it.
“Do you have any proof?” I asked.
Brook was speechless.
I knew he didn’t have a single photo of me. Even childhood pictures had been taken back when
I personally went to Mrs. Rockefeller to retrieve them. Before I left, I burned every photo- leaving nothing behind.
I chuckled softly. “See? You don’t have any evidence. Just saying I’m someone you know doesn’t mean anyone will believe you.”
Brook’s expression darkened, and it took him a while to respond.
“Erica, I know you resent me,” he said finally. “But it’s okay. I’ll make it up to you, little by little.”
“I’ll have that house rebuilt to look exactly the same as before. When you have time, I’ll take you to see it.”
I didn’t want to hear any more of his nonsense. I asked the police to keep Brook away while I returned to the hotel.
After explaining to Linda why I had left the dinner early, I opened a travel app to book the earliest flight out.
At 8 a.m. the next day, I opened my hotel door–and, unsurprisingly, Brook was waiting outside.
His clothes were wrinkled, his jaw was shadowed with stubble, and dark circles hung under his eyes. Clearly, he hadn’t slept all night.
When he saw me, he straightened up immediately, a glimmer of hope lighting up his tired face. “Erica, you’re awake.”
“I told you, I’m not Erica.” My tone was flat. “Instead of bothering me, why don’t you go find the real her?”
I walked past him without a second glance.
Brook followed closely behind. “By noon, Janis and her mother will personally kneetantl apologize to you.
Even after fleeing to a small town, Janis and her mother couldn’t escape Brook’s retaliation. Their dwindling savings forced them into frugality, and with their funds running out, thinyl even resorted to shady online loans.
I ignored Brook completely and joined my colleagues in the hotel lobby.
From a distance, Brook trailed after me.
“Who’s that guy? He’s pretty handsome,” Linda whispered,
I glanced at my phone and replied casually, “I don’t know him.
Before boarding, an issue with my ticket prevented me from getting on the plane.
I wasn’t surprised. Knowing Brook, he wouldn’t let me leave without doing something.
I told Linda and the others to go ahead without me and stayed behind to resolve the situation.
Dragging my suitcase, I scanned the airport terminal and easily spotted Brook
Despite the early spring chill, he stood tall in a gray–black coat, his presence unmistakable in the crowd. He was staring at me expectantly.
I crooked my finger at him, motioning for him to come over.
Brook’s face lit up, and he strode toward me eagerly.
“Erica-”
“My plane ticket. You tampered with it.” My tone was firm; it wasn’t a question.
Brook admitted it without hesitation. “I did. I couldn’t just let you leave so easily.
I stared at him coldly. “Do you know why I’m leaving?”
Brook remained silent.
“It’s because, in my heart, you and Alex are already dead,” I said icily. “To me, you’re both less significant than complete strangers.”
Brook’s expression shifted to panic. “Erica, I know I was wrong. I’ll do everything I can to make it up to you. Please, just give me a chance!”
His tone was pleading, a far cry from the proud man he used to be.
“No. You weren’t tricked by Janis. You simply assumed that because I cared so much about you both, I’d never leave you.”
“But thankfully, you were cruel enough to make me suffer sleepless nights and unbearable pain, forcing me to sever all feelings for you.”
The blood drained from Brook’s face, but his eyes burned red with desperation.
He opened his mouth. “Erica…”
“Don’t call me that,” I interrupted sharply. “Hearing it makes me feel sick.”
Brook looked away, visibly shaken. “Alex is on his way here. Won’t you see him before you go?”
“There’s no need,” I said coldly. “All I want is to leave as far away from you both as possible.”
