Lover/Leaver (Jake Kiszka)

Chapter 20: Safe Haven

Jake and Amelia entered the dimly lit hotel room, the door clicking shut behind them. The night outside was quiet, a stark contrast to the tension between them. Jake's jaw was tight, and his usually calm demeanor was clouded with anger and frustration. He hadn't said much since they left the restaurant, but Amelia could feel the weight of his emotions pressing down on both of them.

As soon as the door closed, Jake let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Amelia, what were you thinking?" he demanded, his voice low but edged with anger. "You just ran off without telling anyone where you were going. Do you know how worried I was?"

Amelia winced at the sharpness in his tone. She knew he was upset, but hearing it aloud made the guilt settle heavily in her chest. "Jake, I'm sorry," she said softly, avoiding his gaze. "I just needed some air. I didn't think it would turn into... this."

Jake's eyes flashed with a mix of anger and concern. "But it did, Amelia. You walked right into a dangerous situation. That guy—Derek—who the hell is he, and why does he think he has any right to talk to you?"

Amelia took a deep breath, feeling her heart race as she prepared herself to share the painful truth she'd been hiding for so long. "Derek... he's my ex-boyfriend," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "We were together before I met you. It wasn't a good relationship, Jake. In fact, it was awful."

Jake's expression darkened, his fists clenching at his sides. "What do you mean 'awful'? Did he hurt you?"

Amelia nodded slowly, tears welling up in her eyes as she forced herself to continue. "He hurt me a lot, Jake. Not just emotionally but physically too. He was controlling, possessive, and when things didn't go his way, he'd take it out on me. I was too scared to leave, too scared to fight back. He... he would hit me, Jake."

Jake's breath caught in his throat, and he took a step back, his face a mixture of shock, anger, and heartbreak. "He hit you?" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. "Amelia... why didn't you tell me this before?"

Amelia wiped at her tears, struggling to keep her composure. "Because I didn't want to bring that darkness into our relationship. I didn't want you to see me as a victim, or worse, feel like you had to protect me from my past. I thought I had left all of that behind but seeing him the other night... it brought everything back."

Jake's hands trembled with the urge to hit something, to find Derek and make him pay for what he had done to Amelia. "I swear to God, if I ever see that bastard again—"

"No, Jake, please," Amelia interrupted, stepping closer to him and placing her hands on his chest. "Don't go after him. He's not worth it. I don't want you to get hurt or do something you'll regret."

Jake looked down at her, his anger slowly being replaced by a deep sadness. "Amelia, I can't just stand by knowing what he did to you. You didn't deserve any of that."

Amelia's eyes softened, and she wrapped her arms around Jake, resting her head against his chest. "I know, but I don't want to live in fear anymore. I don't want Derek to have any power over me, or over us. I'm here with you now, and that's all that matters."

Jake's arms instinctively wrapped around her, pulling her close. "I just want to protect you," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I love you so much, Amelia. The thought of anyone hurting you... it kills me."

Amelia looked up at him, her eyes filled with both love and sorrow. "You do protect me, Jake. Just by being here with me, by loving me. You're my safe place, the person who makes me feel like I can breathe again."

Jake leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers, his heart heavy with emotion. "I'm so sorry you went through that, Amelia. I wish I could take away all the pain you've felt."