Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth!-Chapter 103: Regrets

What had his behaviour been about? Was he just acting or did he mean all he said?

Claire thought as her gaze followed Alex as he disappeared into the station, her thoughts a whirlwind of anxiety, confusion and determination.

As she stood there, the memory of her earlier conversation with Jake resurfaced, sharp and vivid, like she was back in that suffocating room with him, listening to everything he was saying all over again.

The fluorescent light overhead buzzed softly, casting a sterile glow over the small visitation room.

Jake sat slumped in the chair, his head bowed and hands cuffed in front of him. He looked smaller than she'd ever seen him—defeated, and fragile.

Yet Claire's resolve didn't waver as she took the seat across from him, her hands folded tightly in her lap. She was here not to sympathize with him but to know if truly he didn't know anything like Margaret had said and most importantly to let him rot there knowing he deserved the punishment.

She met his bloodshot eyes, her voice steady but laced with anger. "Why do you hate her so much, Jake? Why do you hate Emma to the point of wanting her dead? What did she ever do to you? Was ruining her reputation and giving her no way out not enough? Why?"

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Jake flinched at her words, his face crumpling as tears filled his eyes. He shook his head, his voice cracking. "I don't hate her. God, Claire, I don't hate Emma," he said even though he knew Claire would most likely not believe him after all he had done to Emma.

"You don't hate her? You expect me to believe that?" Claire asked looking at him incredulously.

"I know you won't believe it but I don't. I don't hate Emma..."

"Then why?" Claire's voice rose as she cut in, her frustration boiling over. "Why would you do all this? Hurt her? Betray her? Tear her down at every chance? If you don't hate her, then what the hell do you call it, Jake? A new form of showing love?"

Jake broke down then, tears streaming down his face as he buried his head in his hands. "I don't know! I—I'm such an idiot. I've ruined everything. Everything."

Claire leaned forward, her jaw tightening. "You're damn right you have. Do you even understand the mess you've made? The pain you've caused? To Emma, to Alex, to all of us? Emma is in danger, Jake and it's because of you and your mom!"

Jake nodded, his body shaking with sobs. "I know... I know, Claire. And I hate myself for it. I hate who I've become. I didn't know how much I loved her until I thought I was going to lose her. I was a fool. A stupid, selfish fool."

Claire's brow furrowed as she tried to process his words. "What are you talking about?"

What did he mean by he didn't know how much he loved her? Was he in anyway meaning he still loved her? Was it even possible? Claire mused as she waited to hear his explanation.

Jake looked up, his face streaked with tears, his expression raw and broken. "I just... I just want her to be safe. I need her to come back. If Vanessa—if she does anything to Emma, I'll never forgive myself."

Claire's stomach twisted. She searched his face, looking for a hint of deceit, but all she saw was regret.

What was wrong? What must have made him start regretting his actions so badly? She thought feeling sorry for him.

Still, she wasn't ready to let him off the hook. "Do you know where Vanessa's keeping her?"

Jake shook his head miserably. "No. I swear I don't. I wish I did. Maybe then I could fix this—fix something for once in my pathetic life."

His voice cracked as he continued. "Emma... Emma was the best thing that ever happened to me. She loved me even when I didn't deserve it, even when I treated her like garbage. And I threw it all away. I should've seen it sooner. Should've known she was what was best for me. But I was so blind, so angry at you and grandpa for choosing to give Alex the company despite my hardwork. I was too angry, angry for the most stupidest things—and I took it out on her."

Claire's throat tightened, anger and pity warring within her. "You're right. You were blind, entitled and stupid. And now, even if Emma comes back, you'll still have to pay for what you did. You don't get to walk away from this, Jake," she said wanting to see if he was only doing all he was doing just to get her to pity him and withdraw her statement.

Jake nodded, his eyes red and glassy. "I don't care anymore. I don't care what happens to me, Claire. As long as Emma is safe, I'll take whatever punishment comes. I deserve it."

The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard, but she pushed on. "Why now, Jake? Why the sudden guilt? The sudden regret?"

He hesitated, his gaze dropping to his hands. "Because for the first time, I really thought about losing her. After Vanessa told me her plan and left, I thought about it and realized that I might lose her forever. The thought of never getting to see her again.... it hit me, Claire. It hit me like a freight train. I've been a monster. To Emma, to Alex, to you."

Jake's voice softened, and he looked up at her, his eyes brimming with sorrow. "I'm sorry, Claire. For everything. For the way I treated Emma, for the hell I caused you and Alex. You didn't deserve any of it. Tell Alex that for me, will you? Tell him I'm sorry."

Claire stared at him, speechless. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen Jake this vulnerable, this human.

Back in the present, Claire's eyes darted to the station doors as her thoughts swirled. Was he sincere? Was Jake truly remorseful, or was this just another manipulation? From the way they spoke, he hadn't seemed so.

She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, trying to make sense of it all. The Jake she had come to know was selfish, volatile, and cruel.

But the man she saw earlier... he had been different. His tears had seemed real, his pain genuine.

Could guilt really change a person? Could Jake finally see the damage he'd caused and want to make amends? Or was it all just a performance, a last-ditch effort to escape the consequences of his actions?

Claire bit her lip, her heart heavy. She wanted to believe he was capable of change, that his remorse was real.

But even if it was, did it matter? Emma was still missing, and Vanessa was still out there. No amount of regret could undo what had been done.

As she stood there, waiting for Alex, one thought consumed her. Whatever Jake's intentions, whatever his guilt—none of it mattered if they couldn't bring Emma home. And that was the only thing she cared about now.

She wasn't going to tell Alex about it until they had successfully rescued Emma and she was safe and well.

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