Love x betrayal

chapter 11: Jake's involvement

Sadie woke with a start, the morning light filtering through her curtains, casting a soft glow on her troubled face. The remnants of yesterday's events clung to her like a shroud—Jake’s unnerving visit, her grandmother’s unexpected advice, and the ever-growing questions about her father’s imprisonment. The thoughts swirled in her mind, too tangled to ignore. She knew what she had to do: she needed answers, and she wasn’t going to find them here.

She slipped out of bed, her feet cool against the wooden floor, and made her way downstairs. The comforting aroma of freshly brewed tea greeted her as she entered the kitchen. Her grandmother stood by the stove, stirring a pot, her movements steady and familiar. Sadie hesitated for a moment, watching the woman who had become her anchor in this turbulent time. But today, she had to leave that comfort behind.

“I’m going back to the city,” Sadie said, her voice firmer than she felt.

Her grandmother turned, concern etched into the lines of her face. “You’re going alone?”

Sadie nodded. “I need to figure this out. I need to know what really happened with Dad, and…Jake.”

Her grandmother’s eyes softened with understanding, though the worry didn’t fade. “Be careful, Sadie. The city isn’t the same as you remember, and the truth… It might not be what you want it to be.”

“I know,” Sadie replied, though the words felt heavy in her mouth. “But I have to do this.”

Her grandmother crossed the room and took Sadie’s hands in hers, squeezing them gently. “You’re strong, Sadie. Just remember that, no matter what you find.”

Sadie forced a smile, grateful for the reassurance. After a lingering hug, she pulled away, her heart heavier than before. She needed to move quickly before she lost her resolve.

As she packed, her thoughts kept drifting back to Jake and the mysteries surrounding him. What was his connection to her father? What did he have to do with all of this? Sadie knew she wouldn’t find peace until she unraveled the truth, no matter how painful it might be.

Before she left, Sadie texted Serena. *Heading back to the city to find answers. I’ll keep you posted.* Serena’s reply was immediate, her words full of warmth and encouragement. *You’ve got this. Stay safe, and trust your instincts. I’m here if you need anything.* Sadie stared at the message for a moment, letting the comfort of Serena’s words bolster her shaky confidence.

With her suitcase packed and her farewells said, Sadie stepped outside into the crisp morning air. The countryside was peaceful, the distant sound of birdsong almost mocking in its tranquility. She glanced back at the house, her grandmother standing in the doorway with a wave and a sad smile. Sadie waved back, then turned and walked to her car, determined not to look back again.

The drive to the city was long and uneventful, the scenery shifting gradually from rolling green hills to the concrete and glass of urban life. Sadie’s thoughts were as unsettled as the changing landscape. She replayed the events of the past few days, trying to piece together the fragments of a puzzle that didn’t yet make sense. Her father, Jake, her mother’s lies—it was all connected, she was sure of it. But how?

When she finally arrived at her mother’s house, the city’s bustle faded into the background, replaced by the quiet tension she felt growing inside her. Her mother was waiting on the porch, a smile breaking across her face as Sadie pulled up. The familiarity of her mother’s embrace was comforting, but it did little to ease the storm brewing in Sadie’s mind.

“It’s so good to see you, sweetheart,” her mother said, her voice warm and welcoming. “How was the drive?”

“Long,” Sadie replied, her tone distant despite her best efforts. “I’m glad to be here.”

Her mother’s smile faltered slightly, but she didn’t push. “Let’s get you settled. I’ll make us something to eat.”

Sadie nodded, following her mother inside, but her thoughts were elsewhere. The warm reception was comforting, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that her mother was hiding something—something that connected her to Jake and her father’s downfall. She had to find out the truth, and soon.

Later that day, after unpacking and trying to settle into the familiar surroundings of her childhood home, Sadie decided to clear her head with a walk. The city felt different than it had before—colder, less inviting. As she wandered the streets, lost in thought, a familiar voice snapped her back to reality.

“Well, look who it is. Miss Perfect herself.”

Sadie froze, her heart sinking as she turned to face her ex-boyfriend and Anita, the girl who had once been her best friend. The two of them stood together, looking down on her with sneering expressions that dripped with mockery.

“What are you doing here, Sadie?” Anita asked, her voice oozing with fake sweetness. “Shouldn’t you be off hiding in the countryside?”

Sadie felt a surge of anger, the pain of their betrayal still raw. But instead of letting it show, she smirked, channeling her hurt into sharp words. “How does my leftovers feel? You’d probably like my leftover food too, right?”

The words hit their mark. Anita’s face twisted in shock, and her ex looked taken aback, as if he hadn’t expected Sadie to bite back. For a moment, there was silence, and then, without another word, they turned and walked away. Sadie watched them go, her heart pounding with a mix of vindication and unease. She’d stood up for herself, but the encounter had left her shaken, a reminder of just how much her life had changed.

When Sadie returned to her mother’s house, the need for answers was stronger than ever. She couldn’t delay any longer. That evening, after dinner, she finally confronted her mother.

“Mom, I need to know the truth,” Sadie said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her. “What really happened with Dad? And what do you know about Jake?”

Her mother’s face paled, and for a moment, Sadie thought she wouldn’t answer. But then her mother sighed, the weight of her secrets dragging her down. “Your father was framed, Sadie. He didn’t do what they accused him of, but we couldn’t prove it.”

“And Jake?” Sadie pressed, watching her mother’s reaction closely.

Her mother hesitated, her eyes flickering with something Sadie couldn’t quite place. “I don’t know him, Sadie. I’ve never met him.”

But Sadie knew her mother was lying. There was something in the way she said it, a flicker of recognition that betrayed her words. Sadie felt a rush of frustration, but she held it back, deciding to play along for now. “Okay,” she said, forcing herself to sound convinced. “I believe you.”

That night, as her mother slept, Sadie couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to the story. She waited until the house was silent, then slipped quietly into her mother’s room. Her heart raced as she searched through the drawers and cupboards, desperate to find something that would make sense of everything.

And then she found it—a folder hidden at the back of a closet, stuffed behind old clothes. Her hands trembled as she opened it, her eyes scanning the pages inside. There were documents, legal papers detailing the case against her father. But what caught her attention was a photograph, a blurry image taken during the trial. Sadie’s breath caught in her throat as she recognized the face in the photo.

It was Jake.

She stared at the photo, her mind racing. Why was Jake involved in her father’s trial? What did he have to do with all of this? And why had her mother lied about knowing him?

The betrayal cut deep, a cold realization that her mother had been hiding the truth from her. Sadie felt the ground shift beneath her, everything she thought she knew crumbling into doubt. Who could she trust? What else had her mother lied about?

Sadie knew she couldn’t stay in the city any longer. Her mother was hiding too much, and the answers she needed weren’t here. She had to go back to the countryside, back to where this all started. She had to confront Jake.

The next morning, Sadie packed her things quickly, her mind made up. Her mother was still asleep when she slipped out of the house, the weight of her decision heavy on her shoulders. The drive back was uneventful, the road stretching out before her as she tried to piece together the puzzle of her life.

But just as she was beginning to feel a sense of resolve, her car sputtered and died. Sadie cursed under her breath, pulling over to the side of the road. She tried to restart the engine, but it was no use.