From Mob Princess to Mugshot Photographer novel Chapter 106

**Chapter 3**

As soon as Jake caught sight of me, his demeanor shifted dramatically. His eyes darted around, avoiding mine, and he hastily began to explain himself.

“Chloe, please don’t jump to conclusions. I brought Riley here to—”

Before he could articulate his thoughts, Riley interjected, wrapping her arm around his with a possessive grip, cutting him off mid-sentence.

“—Tour my husband’s company,” she finished, a smug smile playing on her lips.

I opted for silence, letting the air hang heavy with unspoken words. The moment felt charged, almost electric. Riley, with her confident posture and gleaming eyes, seemed to relish this moment of control, as if she were asserting her claim over Jake in front of me.

After a brief pause, she turned her gaze towards me, her expression almost playful, as if daring me to object.

“You don’t mind, do you, Chloe?”

Her tone dripped with condescension, and I could feel the weight of her challenge.

With a resigned sigh, I stepped out of the elevator, creating a physical space between us. Jake’s eyes flickered with uncertainty, as if he wanted to reach out, to say something that could bridge the distance, but Riley had already pulled him away, her laughter echoing down the corridor.

Later that afternoon, I found myself standing alone at the crematorium, watching the flames consume my mother’s body, reducing her to ashes. It was surreal, witnessing the finality of life in such a stark manner.

After the ceremony, I took her remains to the cemetery, where I lingered until the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the gravestones.

Jake never showed up. Not even a text message to check in.

Did I feel hurt? Perhaps a little, but mostly, I felt a strange sense of relief. Without him there, I could finally allow my mother to rest in peace, free from the complications of my entangled life. I couldn’t shake the thought that her spirit wouldn’t want me to be caught up with him any longer.

She certainly wouldn’t approve of me marrying him now.

Six years together had led us to this moment, and I knew deep down that it was time to end it once and for all.

I made the long walk home from the cemetery, my footsteps echoing in the stillness of the night. It had been ages since I had ventured out alone after dark.

As a child, I would hold my mother’s hand tightly, feeling safe and secure. Later, I had walked arm-in-arm with Jake, feeling a different kind of warmth. But now, I was walking solo, and the weight of that realization settled heavily on my shoulders. I would have to learn to embrace this solitude.

By the time I arrived home, it was well past midnight. The living room lights were on, casting a warm glow in the otherwise dark house. There was Jake, sprawled out on the couch, his eyes glued to his phone as he texted someone.

The moment he noticed my entrance, his worried frown melted into relief, and he jumped up, rushing over to grasp my hands in his.

“Where on earth have you been? I was worried sick! You didn’t answer your phone or texts. I was about to call the police!”

I froze for a moment, feeling the warmth of his hands against mine, before I gently pulled away.

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