Home / Romance / When I Stopped Running / Chapter 41 - The Last Person I Wanted To See

Share

Chapter 41 - The Last Person I Wanted To See

Author: Bliss write
last update publish date: 2026-06-12 23:08:32

Jessica's POV

By the time my shift ended, I was exhausted mentally.

Roman had somehow managed to occupy an entire corner of my mind without even being present.

Every time I looked at the folder in my locker, questions followed.

I couldn't stop wondering why now and how much he knew.

I locked the locker and headed toward the employee exit.

The hotel was quieter now.

Most of the evening guests had already checked in and the lobby no longer carried the frantic energy of earlier.

I started walking
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Locked Chapter

Latest chapter

  • When I Stopped Running    Chapter 56 - Suspended

    Jessica's POV"Jessica... I'm sorry."The words hit me before I sat down.Mr. Bernard's office felt smaller today. The blinds hung half-drawn. Pale light fell across his desk. He looked tired. His tie hung loose. Dark circles sat under his eyes.I stood in front of his desk. Hands clasped behind my back. It was old habit. Holding myself straight so I wouldn't break."Please sit," he said."What happened?" I asked while still standing.He rubbed his forehead. "The board met this morning. The charity organizers called. They want action.""I didn't take the painting," I uttered in my defence."I know." Mr.Bernard replied with sincerity."Then why am I here?" I asked.He leaned forward. His voice dropped. "I can't stop this alone. Public pressure is building. The hotel's reputation—""So you're firing me," I asked in disbelief. "No." He said it firmly. "I'm suspending you. Indefinitely. With pay."The relief I expected never came. This felt worse. Like they wanted to believe me, but coul

  • When I Stopped Running    Chapter 55 - A Missing Piece

    Jessica's Pov"Miss Wilson."I stopped halfway down the hallway and turned around.Mr. Bernard was walking toward me with measured steps. The crowd inside the ballroom was still buzzing behind the closed doors, their voices reduced to a muffled hum, but I could still feel the weight of their judgment pressing against my back.He stopped a few feet away from me."I know this isn't easy." He started with understanding.I let out a bitter laugh."I don't think 'not easy' begins to cover it," I added.His expression softened, but not enough to erase the seriousness in his eyes."I've worked with you long enough to know this doesn't make sense."My heart skipped. I felt a bit better by his words."I didn't do it," I stressed."I know that's what you're saying," He was saying when I cut in."No." I met his eyes. "I'm not saying it because I'm desperate. I'm saying it because it's the truth."He studied me quietly before exhaling."If someone really framed you, then we'll find out.""We?" I

  • When I Stopped Running    Chapter 54 - The Weight Of Accusation

    Jessica's PovThe room felt smaller now. Everyone was looking at me. I could feel their eyes judging me, weighing me, finding me guilty without a trial. The same people who had smiled at me hours ago now stared at me with doubt and suspicion."I didn't take anything." My voice came out steady even though my hands were shaking. I maintained my posture, trying not to let them see how frustrated I was."Liar, You stole the piece," A man uttered from the crowd.The words hit me like a punch. It stole my breath and reminded me of the past I had tried so hard to escape and work hard over the past months. I had rebuilt my reputation piece by piece. Proven myself at work. I had shown everyone how capable I was. Now it was all falling apart in seconds."Everyone, please stay calm." Mr. Bernard's voice cut through the noise with authority. "We will sort this out," He added."Sort what out?" A woman shouted from the crowd. Her expensive dress shimmered under the lights as she pointed at me. "Th

  • When I Stopped Running    Chapter 53 - The Perfect Night

    Jessica's Pov"Jessica, the guests from the Whitmore Foundation just arrived.""I'm on my way," I said immediately. I smoothed the front of my blazer and took one last look around the ballroom before walking toward the entrance.The room looked exactly the way I had imagined it yesterday.Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow across the polished floor. Round tables dressed in white linen filled the ballroom, each decorated with fresh flowers that carried a faint scent through the air. A string quartet played softly near the stage while waiters moved between guests with practiced ease.I felt so at ease. Everything was running smoothly. No last-minute disaster, demanding guests or unexpected surprises. It was Just the way I liked it."Good evening, Mr. Whitmore," The elderly gentleman smiled warmly as I greeted him."I've heard wonderful things about this hotel," Mr. Whitmore uttered."I hope we live up to them," I said to him."I'm sure you will," He added.I personally escorted him to

  • When I Stopped Running    Chapter 52 - One Mistake

    Jake's Pov"Tell her I'm busy.""Sir, she says she won't leave."I looked up at my assistant, my eyes burning with exasperation.Of course she wouldn't. Linda had never been good at accepting boundaries."Fine."My assistant hesitated."Should I send her in?" She asked politely.I already knew what would happen if I said no. Linda would simply find another way inside."Yes." I replied.A few moments later, the office door opened. Linda walked in like she owned the building.She looked confident, and elegant. I returned my attention to the reports spread across my desk."You're getting harder to reach," She started, her eyes rested on me."That's usually what happens when people are working," I responded, while raising my eyes to meet hers. The last thing I wanted today was another pointless conversation.She dropped into the chair opposite me."I haven't seen you in weeks."I signed the document in front of me before speaking."Congratulations."Her lips pressed together. The silence

  • When I Stopped Running    Chapter 51 - The Woman From His Past

    Jessica's Pov"Move the flower arrangement two feet to the left."The event coordinator looked at me like I had completely lost my mind."Two feet?" He asked."Trust me," I added.He let out an exaggerated sigh but motioned for one of the staff members to move it anyway.I waited until they finished before stepping back and studying the ballroom again. Immediately, the entire room looked better.The aisle felt wider, the stage no longer seemed crowded, and the tables looked balanced instead of squeezed together.The coordinator followed my gaze before shaking his head."I hate that you're always right."A smile tugged at my lips."No, you don't.""You're right.""Exactly."A few nearby staff members laughed.Preparations for tomorrow's charity gala had taken over half the hotel. Employees moved in and out carrying decorations while technicians adjusted lighting above the stage. Someone was testing microphones near the podium while another team worked on seating arrangements. I liked d

  • When I Stopped Running    Chapter 44 - Lunch Isn't A Crime

    Jessica's POV "You're staring at that sandwich like it personally offended you."The voice nearly made me choke on my drink.I looked up sharply.Roman stood beside my table holding a paper coffee cup in one hand and an annoyingly relaxed smile on his face.I wasn't surprised to see him since he's

  • When I Stopped Running    Chapter 43 - It Wasn't Charity

    Roman's POV "Your candidate performed better than we expected."The statement greeted me the moment I stepped into the conference room.I looked up from the tablet in my hand.Across the table sat three members of the recruitment panel.The oldest among them pushed a file toward me.I didn't sit i

  • When I Stopped Running    Chapter 40 - The Wrong kind Of Help

    Jake's POV The moment I heard Roman's name, I stopped reading.My eyes remained fixed on the report in front of me.I was completely stunned and for several seconds, I couldn't move or speak, my eyes focused on a point and then slowly, I looked up."What did you just say?" I asked sharply, I could

  • When I Stopped Running    Chapter 39 - What Do You Know?

    Jessica's POV "Wait." I called loudly, my hands pointed at him.Roman halted and turned.The evening breeze stirred the loose strands of my hair as he slowly turned back toward me.His expression remained calm.Like he hadn't just dropped a statement that made my skin crawl."I know more about you

More Chapters
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status