Chapter One Hundred And Fourteen

Chapter 114

That night Jemima sat in her bed, restless. Her mind was torn between a lot of things.
To go in search of Vanessa or not to go? Alan or Jay?

It was the first time in years that she had felt so confused about anything. Usually, she had the answers and knew what she wanted but lately, it seemed her heart and her head were in a constant battle— each of them fighting for supremacy.

What should she do? Go with her feelings or be logical?

“Fuck!” Jemima screamed into her pillow and breathed heavily. She turned her body so she was facing the ceiling. She looked at the intricate designs of the chandelier that hung above the wall and she wondered how it was this house she grew up in. This was the house she had known all her life.

No matter the trauma she faced, this was home and just then, a soft, raspy knock was heard on her window, causing her to jolt in shock. Her heart rate spiked up as she walked towards the window. That is when she saw him.

“Jay?” Jemima asked in confusion as she opened the window, letting him in before shutting it again.

“You are no stranger to this family or house Jay, why use the window like we’re in some high school teenage romance novel?” Jemima inquired with a raised eyebrow but only got a shrug in response.

Jay opened his arms, still saying nothing and she took the hint and ran to him, enveloping him in a hug and inhaling the woody cologne that she loved so much.

“I know how much finding answers means to you Jem. I’m sorry I yelled at you earlier. I just couldn’t bear the thought of losing you but if you want to go in search of Vanessa then I’m here for you, I’ll go with you,” Jay soothed, planting a soft kiss on her head as he inhaled the gentle scent of her bubblegum shampoo.

A single tear fell from Jemima’s eyes and they said nothing as they stood in that embrace for a long time.

Eventually, she felt tired and Jay stayed beside her until she fell asleep. When she did, he planted a soft kiss on her cheeks and gently crept out of her bed and out of the room, vanishing like he was never there.

The sunlight filtering through the windows was softer the next morning, its warmth less of an assault and more of a comfort. Jemima stretched lazily in her bed, her thoughts unusually clear for once. It was the kind of clarity she hadn’t felt in years.

She turned over to the other side where Jay had laid beside her last night and a satisfactory smile displayed across her face as she closed her eyes for a moment— allowing the memories of the previous night to wash over her.

For the first time in weeks, she didn’t wake up with her mind buzzing about Vanessa or Alan or the ghosts of her past. Her mind involuntarily wandered off to her alter ego, Jemma but she shook it off as quickly as it came. Sometime after Jay had left she had woken up and had spent the better part of the night pacing her room, and somewhere in the early hours of dawn, she made a decision.

Vanessa wasn’t her responsibility anymore. The betrayal stung, yes, but chasing after her former best friend wouldn’t change anything. Jon Ross was gone, and with him, the toxic web of power and deceit he had spun. She could breathe now.

She had people who mattered—Jay, Marcus, Ava—and a future she had to reclaim.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.

“Come in,” she called, already guessing who it might be.

Marcus stepped in, his expression cautious but hopeful. He lingered in the doorway, his tall frame almost hesitant.

“You’re up early,” he said, eyeing her with mild suspicion. “Did you even sleep?”

Jemima smirked, pulling the blanket tighter around herself. “Barely. But it was worth it.”

Marcus raised an eyebrow. “Worth it?”

“I’ve decided to let it all go,” she said simply. “Vanessa, Jon, all of it. It’s not worth my time anymore.”

His reaction was immediate—his shoulders relaxed, and the tension that had lined his face for weeks seemed to dissolve.

“Finally,” he muttered, walking into the room and sitting on the edge of her bed. “I was starting to think you’d never stop.”

“I almost didn’t,” Jemima admitted. “But I can’t keep chasing people who don’t want to be found. I need to move on. And I need us to move forward—with JEMMARC.”

At that, Marcus’s face lit up. “You mean it?”

“Yes,” she said firmly. “We built JEMMARC for a reason, Marcus. It’s time we put our focus back where it belongs.”

He grinned, a rare and genuine expression of joy. “God, Jem. I’ve missed this side of you.”

She laughed softly, shaking her head. “Don’t get used to it. I’m still your twin, remember?”

“Sure, twin,” he teased, standing up. “But seriously, Jem—thank you. We’ve both needed this.”

She nodded, watching as he left the room, her heart feeling lighter than it had in months.

****

Jay’s new apartment was small but cozy, a space that always felt like a refuge from the chaos of the world. Jemima let herself in, balancing a bakery bag in one hand while nudging the door closed with her foot.

She found Jay in the kitchen, his hair tousled and his T-shirt wrinkled. He looked up in surprise, a smile breaking across his face when he saw her.

“Jem? You’re here early. What’s the occasion?”

She held up the bag with a triumphant grin. “Peace offering. I figured I owe you breakfast after everything I’ve put you through lately.”

Jay leaned against the counter, crossing his arms as he studied her. “You? A pain? Never.”

“Don’t push it,” she said, laughing as she set the bag on the counter.

They ate together on the couch, the morning sun streaming through the windows. The conversation was light at first—small talk about nothing in particular—but eventually, Jay’s expression grew serious.

“So… what’s the plan now?” he asked, his tone careful.

Jemima hesitated, then took a deep breath. “I’m done with Vanessa. I’ve been chasing her shadow for too long, and it’s only been hurting me. I can’t do it anymore.”

Jay’s eyes softened, a mixture of relief and admiration shining in them. “I’m proud of you, Jem. That’s not an easy thing to let go of.”

She reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. “I want to focus on us, Jay. You’ve been my anchor through everything, and I don’t want to take that for granted anymore.”

He smiled a genuine, heartwarming expression that made her chest tighten. “You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to hear that.”

Their moment was interrupted by a knock at the door.

Jay frowned, standing up to answer it. When he opened the door, Jemima’s heart sank.

Alan stood on the threshold, his expression guarded but determined.

Jay hesitated for a moment before stepping aside to let Alan in. The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with unspoken words.

Alan’s gaze flickered between Jay and Jemima, the rivalry between them evident in the set of his jaw.

“What are you doing here?” Jemima asked, her voice calm but firm.

Alan stepped forward, his eyes locking onto hers. “I needed to see you. We need to talk.”

Jay shot Jemima a questioning look, but she nodded, signaling for him to give them some privacy.

Reluctantly, Jay left the room, closing the door behind him.

Alan took a deep breath, his expression softening as he faced her. “Jem, I know I’ve made mistakes. I’ve hurt you, and I’ve done things I’m not proud of. But everything I’ve done—it’s been for you.”

Jemima felt a pang of guilt, but she forced herself to stay firm. “Alan, I don’t doubt that you care about me. But—”

“But it’s not enough,” he interrupted, his voice bitter. “Because it’s always been Jay, hasn’t it?”

She hesitated, then nodded. “Yes. I love him, Alan. And I can’t keep pretending there’s something between us when there isn’t.”

Alan’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he let out a shaky laugh, his shoulders slumping. “I always knew, deep down. I just didn’t want to admit it.”

“I’m sorry but we grew up as enemies. There was never some sort of attraction between us and no matter what, I’d always see you as the son of the man who destroyed my family. So yeah, I’m sorry I can’t be what you want,” she said softly.

He shook his head. “Don’t be. You deserve to be happy, Jem. I just wish it could’ve been with me.”

They stood in silence for a moment before Alan stepped back, his expression resolute. “Take care of yourself, Jemima. And… thank you. For being honest.”

With that, he turned and left, leaving Jemima feeling a strange mixture of relief and sadness.

Later that day, Jemima and Marcus sat in the conference room of the Valerian estate, papers, and blueprints spread out across the table.

“This is it,” Marcus said, his excitement palpable. “We’re finally getting back on track.”

Jemima nodded, a determined smile on her face. “No more distractions. JEMMARC is our legacy, and we’re going to make it stronger than ever.”

They spent hours going over plans, brainstorming ideas, and setting goals for the future. By the time they were finished, Jemima felt a renewed sense of purpose.

As they packed up for the day, Marcus turned to her with a grin. “You know, I almost forgot how scary you are when you’re focused.”

She laughed, punching him lightly on the arm. “Don’t you forget it.”

That evening, Jemima and Jay sat on the balcony of his apartment, the city lights twinkling in the distance.

“You did good today,” Jay said, his arm draped around her shoulders.

“So did you,” she replied, leaning into him.

For the first time in a long time, Jemima felt at peace. The past was behind her, and the future stretched out before her—bright, uncertain, and full of possibility.

A lot of emotions swirled within her but alas she knew one she did not feel… fear!