8. Jenny
Chapter 8
Jenny
T he day passes in a haze of tension and unease. I try to focus on my students, to immerse myself in the joyful chaos of the classroom, but my mind keeps drifting back to the conversation with Ethan last night. Vincent Torres—a name that now feels like a shadow hanging over everything. A name I don’t know and I can’t shake the feeling that something terrible is about to happen.
By the time the final bell rings, I’m exhausted, both mentally and physically. I gather my things, trying to push aside the worry that’s been gnawing at me all day. But as I step out into the warm afternoon air, a shiver runs down my spine as I realize my car is the only one left in the parking lot. I can’t help but glance over my shoulder, half-expecting to see someone lurking in the shadows. Ethan followed me to work this morning and told me to text him when I was leaving so that he could follow me home. I sent the text over an hour ago, but he’s not here yet.
“Get a grip, Jenny,” I mutter to myself, shaking off the paranoia. But it’s easier said than done.
I head to my car, parked in its usual spot at the edge of the school lot thinking I can just wait for him in my car since the principal has locked up the school by now, but the uneasy feeling only grows stronger. I fumble with my key fob, my hands trembling as I unlock the door. Just as I’m about to climb in, a voice stops me cold.
“Going somewhere?”
I whip around, my heart leaping into my throat. My finger is still on the key fob, and I try to hit the panic alarm button, but it won’t go off. Richard is standing there, leaning casually against the fence next to my car, his expression smug and arrogant, but he looks disheveled and exhausted. The sight of him sends a wave of fear crashing over me, but I force myself to stand tall, refusing to let him see how scared I am.
“What do you want, Richard?” I ask, my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me.
He pushes off the wall, slowly closing the distance between us. “I’ve been thinking, Jenny,” he says, his tone deceptively calm. “Maybe we got off on the wrong foot. We should talk. Talk about us.”
“There’s nothing to talk about and there is no ‘us’,” I reply, taking a step back trying to remember all my self-defense training. Rule number one; try to put some distance between you and the threat. “You need to leave.” Rule number two: tell the attacker to go away.
His eyes narrow, and the veneer of civility slips away, replaced by something darker. “I’m not going anywhere, Jenny. You’re mine. You always have been since the day you married me.”
“No,” I say firmly, shaking my head. “I’m not yours, Richard, not since the day I divorced you.”
His jaw tightens, and I can see the anger bubbling just beneath the surface. “Don’t lie to me,” he snaps, his voice rising. “You think you can just walk away from me? From everything we had? You think you can replace me with that fucker, West?”
Rule number three: One foot behind you for balance… you’re going to need it.
My blood runs cold at the mention of Ethan, but I refuse to let Richard see how much his words affect me. “This isn’t about Ethan,” I say, my voice as steady as I can manage. “This is about you not being able to accept that it’s over. It’s been over. I moved on. You need to do the same thing.”
Richard’s eyes darken, and for a moment, I see a flicker of something dangerous—something that makes my stomach churn with dread. He steps closer, his presence overwhelming, and I instinctively want to take another step back, but there’s nowhere to go. I’m trapped between him and my car, and the realization sends a jolt of panic through me, but I’m ready.
“You think you can just walk away from me?” he growls, his voice low and menacing. “After everything I’ve done for you? You’re nothing without me, Jenny.”
“Get away from me, Richard,” I say, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to stay calm and in control.
But he doesn’t move. Instead, he reaches out, grabbing my arm with a grip that’s too tight, too painful, too familiar. I try to pull away, but he holds on, his fingers digging into my skin bruising me.
“You’re coming with me,” he says, his tone cold and unyielding. “We’re going to talk, whether you like it or not.”
“Let go of me!” I shout, trying to wrench my arm free, but his grip only tightens.
“Stop fighting me,” he snaps, his eyes flashing with anger. “You’re making this harder than it needs to be.”
“Richard, please,” I plead, my voice breaking as he’s dragging me away from the safety of my car. “Just let me go.”
But he’s not listening. He’s too far gone, too consumed by his own twisted sense of entitlement. And in that moment, I realize just how dangerous he really is. He’s not going to let me go—not until he gets what he wants.
My instincts kick in and I throw a punch at Richard’s jaw at the same time, I knee him in his groin making contact. Richard groans as he turns toward me. “You fucking bitch.” He raises his hand in the air to hit me and just as the panic threatens to overwhelm me, we both hear the sound of a truck engine roaring toward us.
My heart leaps with hope as I see Ethan’s large black truck speeding into the parking lot, skidding to a stop just a few feet away. The look on his face is one of pure, focused determination, and I know without a doubt that he’s here for me.
“Let her go, Richard,” Ethan’s voice cuts through the tension like a knife, cold and commanding through the opened passenger window.
Richard whips around, his grip on my arm loosening just enough for me to yank free. I stumble back, my heart pounding, as Ethan jumps out of the truck, his eyes locked on Richard.
“This doesn’t concern you, West. Just walk away.” Richard snarls, his face contorting with rage. “This is between me and my wife.”
“It does concern me,” Ethan says, his voice deadly calm as he moves closer, his muscles tensed and ready to strike. “Jenny’s your ex -wife and with me now, and you’re going to leave her alone. If you don’t, you’ll have to deal with me.”
For a moment, Richard hesitates, his eyes flicking between Ethan and me. I can see the gears turning in his mind, weighing his options. But whatever twisted logic he’s operating under, it’s clear he’s not willing to back down.
“I’m not afraid of you,” Richard sneers, his voice dripping with disdain.
“You should be,” Ethan replies, his tone ice-cold.
Without warning, Richard lunges at Ethan, his fists swinging wildly. But Ethan is faster, sidestepping the attack and driving his fist into Richard’s gut with a force that knocks the wind out of him. Richard doubles over, gasping for breath, but Ethan doesn’t give him a chance to recover. He grabs Richard by the collar, hauling him up and slamming his face against the side of the truck.
“You’re done, Richard,” Ethan growls, his face mere inches from Richard’s. “You ever come near Jenny again, and I’ll make sure you regret it. And tell Torres he’s done, too.”
Richard’s eyes widen with fear, and for the first time, I see the realization sinking in—he’s not going to win this. He’s not in control anymore.
“Fine, okay,” Richard gasps, raising his hands in surrender. “Just let me go.”
Ethan holds him there for a moment longer, his eyes blazing with fury, before finally releasing him. Richard stumbles back, clutching his stomach as he glares at Ethan with a mix of hatred and fear.
“This isn’t over,” Richard spits, his voice shaking. “You’ll pay for this, both of you.”
“Get the fuck out of here, Richard,” Ethan says, his voice deadly calm. “And make sure to give Torres my message.”
Richard hesitates, his eyes flicking to me one last time, before finally turning and staggering away. I watch him go, my body trembling with a mix of fear and relief. It’s over. He’s gone. At least for now.
As soon as Richard is out of sight, Ethan turns to me, his expression softening with concern. “Are you okay?” he asks, his voice gentle as he steps closer, reaching out to cup my face.
I nod as I rub my sore arm, the adrenaline still coursing through me. “I’m fine, thanks to you.”
“I’m so sorry. I couldn’t get here fast enough because of the heavy traffic. I got stuck behind an accident and I couldn’t get cell service,” he says, his voice filled with guilt. “I should have been here sooner. I should have protected you.”
“You did,” I say, placing my hand over his. “You got here in time to help me from whatever he had planned, Ethan. That’s all that matters.”
He pulls me into his arms, holding me close as I bury my face in his chest, the warmth of his embrace soothing the fear that’s been gnawing at me all day. I can feel his heart pounding against mine, a steady rhythm that grounds me.
“I’m not going to let anything happen to you,” he murmurs into my hair, his voice thick with emotion. “I promise.”
“I know,” I whisper, holding onto him tightly. “I trust you.”
We stand there for a long moment, just holding each other in the school parking lot, the world around us fading away.
Finally, Ethan pulls back slightly, his hand gently lifting my chin so I can meet his eyes. “Come on,” he says softly. “Let’s get you home.”
I nod, allowing him to help me into my car. As we drive away, Ethan following me, the tension slowly begins to ease, replaced by a sense of relief that he’s in this with me and I’m not alone.
As we walk up to my apartment, Ethan turns to me, his expression serious. “I’m staying with you tonight,” he says, his tone leaving no room for argument.
“No argument here,” I reply. The thought of being alone right now doesn’t sit well with me and I’m thankful he’s volunteering.