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But it quickly shifted from forgiveness to anger once more. “No.Heshould’ve known better. He’s older. And heclearlytook advantage of you and the situation.”
I frowned, not liking Jude’s tone or the language he used. It all felt all…wrong.
Still, I tried to remain calm. I was determined to defuse the situation and repair the harm I’d done to the extent I could.
But that didn’t mean I could stay silent. Knox had helped me find my voice, and I’d always use it—especially to defend him. So I took a deep breath. “I’m sure you don’t want to hear this, but we are both adults. And this was a consensual relationship.”
“He’s a powerful man.” Jude lifted a shoulder, a sympathetic expression on his face. “A rich man. No one would fault you for feeling pressure when the power balance was so firmly tipped in his favor.”
“Jude,” I said, shaking my head and standing. “That’s not what happened.”
He closed the distance between us. “I’m worried about you, Kendall. That’s why I came here. To help you.”
He placed his hand on my shoulder, his expression one of concern. Yet something felt…off.
“Help me how?” I asked.
“Help you get away from him, of course. He’s manipulated you and the situation. And I won’t stand for it.”
“Stop.” I held up my hand. “Just stop,” I said more firmly. “I know you don’t want to believe it, but I love your dad.”
Jude’s expression morphed into one of disgust. He backed away slowly and shook his head. “Fine, then. Have it your way.” He sauntered toward the gate.
Maybe it was the ominous tone to his voice or the unexpected visit, but my chat with Jude left me feeling unsettled.
I returned inside, but when the alarm chimed and the front door opened moments later, I jumped.
“Kendall?” Emmy called.
“In here,” I said, trying to steady my breathing.
My mind kept playing over my conversation with Jude. Wondering what he intended to do.
Emmy took one look at me and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Jude was here.”
Her jaw dropped. “What?”
I nodded, still trying to piece it all together. “He was here. In the backyard.”
She dropped the shopping bag on the sofa and wrapped her arm around my shoulder. She ushered me to the couch. “What happened?”
“He—” I blinked a few times, still trying to process what had happened. “H-he kept talking about how he wanted to help me. How Knox had taken advantage of the situation.”
She jerked her head back. “Jude said that?”
I nodded.
“Shit. Have you told Knox?”
“No.” I dropped my head into my hands. I told her about my earlier conversation with Knox. “He’s flying home tonight, even though I asked him not to.”
“Oh, Kendall.” Emmy rubbed circles on my back, and I started crying again. “What a mess.”
We sat there for a while until I’d calmed down some. Then she asked, “What do you want to do now?”
“I don’t know.” I stared ahead, numb.
