Billionaire Temptations: Rich, Ruthless & Obsessed

Chapter 38

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Jackson

I swallowed hard as I left her apartment and shut the door behind me. She’d get over it. She’d get over me in time. This was what was best for both of us. The hurt now would be much easier to deal with than down the road.

I walked a few blocks, pushing all thoughts of her out of my head—the pain on her face, the hurt in her eyes, and the sadness that overtook her. Walking into a dive bar, I sat on the stool and ordered a double scotch. I threw it back and ordered two more doubles, with the hope that the alcohol would make the pain stop. I cared for her. I really did—more than I wanted to admit. I told Samuel that I could walk away, and being a man of my word, I did. She left me with no choice.

I stumbled out of the elevator and tripped up the stairs as I made my way to the bedroom. Taking off my suitcoat, I threw it on the floor before falling onto the bed. The alcohol I had consumed won and put me into a sound sleep, something I needed to forget about her and what happened tonight.

Emily

When I heard the door shut, I fell to my knees and cupped my face in my hands, letting out the hardest cry I’d ever had. He only loved me as a friend, and hearing those words hurt me more than anything I had ever experienced in my life, even the death of my mother. Don’t get me wrong; I felt unbearable pain after she was gone, but I was prepared. She had been sick for months, and the doctors couldn’t do anything else for her. The cancer had spread too much and too fast. We talked about her death a lot and made preparations for it. It didn’t make it any easier, but at least I wasn’t caught off guard. With him, I was. I was certain he had more than just friendly feelings for me. I would say he was lying, but his tone was so serious, and a tear never filled his eye. He stared at me as if he was some kind of robot.

I fell to my side on the floor and tucked myself into a fetal position while the tears freely flowed down my face. Was this how my mother felt when she discovered Gregory wasn’t coming back? Was it this pain and anguish that pushed her to become so bitter about relationships? I understood it now and never should have let my guard down. If I hadn’t, he’d still be here, and we’d have sex like we always did. I’d wake up in his arms, and we’d kiss each other goodbye before heading to work. Now, all of that was gone, and I was left here all alone to deal with the destruction of my emotional state by myself. I felt sick to my stomach, so I dragged myself into the bathroom and leaned over the toilet while the vomit rose in my throat.

After wiping my mouth, I pulled back the covers and climbed into bed, bringing my knees to my chest and curling into a ball. I’d thought about calling Katie and Evelyn, but I couldn’t bring myself to. I wasn’t ready to relive the events of tonight and how Jackson had just walked out of my life because I let myself fall in love with him.

Jackson

Slowly opening my eyes, I placed my hand on my aching head. Several groans escaped me as I rolled over and felt the empty spot beside me. She wasn’t here and, for a brief moment, I had forgotten. Thoughts of her and last night crept inside my head. Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I had two missed calls and several text messages from Jules.

“Dad had a mild heart attack and is in the hospital. Get here as soon as you can.”

“Jackson, where the fuck are you?”

“Why aren’t you answering your phone? I tried to call Emily, but it went straight to voicemail.”

“If this is your way of punishing Mom and Dad, you suck, and I’m so pissed at you right now.”

I quickly sat up and dialed her number. After a few rings, it went to voicemail.

“Jules, I’m sorry. I had a rough night, and I was passed out. I’m on my way, but I need details. Is he okay? What room is he in?”

I reeked of alcohol, but I didn’t care. I didn’t have time to shower. After I put on some clothes and brushed my teeth, Jules called.

“Hello.”

“He’s fine, and he’s in room 4012.” Her tone was cold and flat.

“Jules, I’m sorry. I didn’t hear my phone.”

“Just get here as soon as you can.”

She was mad, and I didn’t blame her. They needed me last night, and I failed them because I was in a drunken state over a woman whose heart I broke. While Edward drove me to the hospital, I called my secretary to tell her I wasn’t coming in until later. When I walked into room 4012, my dad was sleeping, and my mother was at his side, holding his hand.

“It’s about time you got here,” she spoke sternly without looking at me.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t hear my phone.”

“Were you with her?” she asked.

“No. I was in a bar getting drunk and then went home and passed out.”

She turned her head, and her eyes met mine.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“I don’t know. How is he?”

“He’s doing better now. He’s going in for bypass surgery in a couple of hours.”

“Is he going to be okay?” I placed my hand on her shoulder.

“Do you really care?”

“Mom, don’t. Of course, I care.”

She brought her hand up to mine and gently squeezed it. “He’s going to be okay.”

I sat on the edge of the bed and placed my hand on his arm. Thoughts of how he could have died plagued me.

“Well, look who decided to show up,” Jules spoke as she walked into the room.

“Not now, Jules.”

“Step outside in the hall for a moment. I need a word with you.”

Rolling my eyes and letting out a sigh, I followed her out to the hallway.

“What the fuck, Jackson? We needed you here last night. Mom needed you here last night.”

“I said I was sorry. I didn’t hear my phone,” I spoke through gritted teeth.

“What happened? And by the way, you reek of alcohol.”

Running my hand through my hair, I leaned against the wall.

“Emily and I won’t be seeing each other anymore.”

“Why?” she asked, placing her hands on her hips.

“We just aren’t, and I don’t want to get into it right now. Just not right now, Jules. Please.”

“Fine.” She wrapped her arms around me. “Just tell me one thing. Are you okay?”

“I’m okay.”

I’d spent the day with my mom in the waiting room while my dad was in surgery and Jules was back in the ER finishing her shift. She and Carter both came up to check on things between patients.