Chapter 521

• Jake relaxes and starts digging into his food with his fork. I can’t help but glance at Marissa directly across the table, and she’s watching him under her lashes as she digs into her food. The whole atmosphere is tense and weird, unlike the last time I was with these people. All that friendly, energetic chatter and cozy banter are severely lacking.
• “Actually. No. I meant that he’s buying you a house next door.” Giovanni drops the bombshell, and Marissa’s head almost snaps off with the speed she spins toward him. Jake stiffens. His fingers tighten around his glass mid-way to his mouth. Sylvana gapes at her husband in anger and throws him a look that can only mean she’s got some serious words for him when they’re alone.
• “Why wouldn’t I? I intend to marry her one day, so of course, I’m going to buy us a house where we can raise a family and settle down.” Jake’s tone gives nothing away. I could almost kiss him when I see that bitch’s lower lip wobble. Jake is used to dealing with Giovanni and plays his part effortlessly, never giving his father a hint of being rattled. The constant power struggle between father and son that I have witnessed a million times at work.