Love Rents A Room
Chapter 73: A Powerful Enemy?

Chapter 73: A Powerful Enemy?

JD was happy beyond measures.

She waited for me. Because she wanted to have dinner with me.

He sat down, but for a moment, he didn’t touch his food. He just looked at her, watching as she filled the space between them with lighthearted conversation, asking about his day, telling him about hers.

And she was smiling.

Not just any smile.

A real one. A warm one. One that reached her eyes.

The tension in JD’s shoulders eased as he listened, matching her warmth with his own.

But beneath it all, one thought still lingered at the back of his mind.

Fiona didn’t make her cry. If anything, she had cheered Joanne up.

So then...

What had made her cry?

And why did JD have the sinking feeling that he already knew the answer?

Jonathan.

The name flickered in his mind like an ember reigniting a dying flame.

He hated to think it, but it was possible. Joanne never talked about him, but JD could see it—feel it—that some part of her still hurt because of him.

He stared at his plate, pushing his food around absentmindedly. He hated that thought.

But then Joanne spoke again, her voice breaking through his internal storm.

"You’re barely eating. Do you not like it?" she asked, tilting her head.

JD blinked and looked at her.

Like it? He loved it.

He loved everything about this. The warm kitchen, the quiet hum of conversation, the soft clinking of cutlery, the way she had waited for him.

His throat felt tight.

"No," JD said, shaking his head slightly. "I love it."

Joanne gave him a small, satisfied smile before taking another bite.

JD exhaled slowly, setting his fork down. He wouldn’t ask again why she cried. He knew her well enough to know that if she wanted to talk about it, she would.

But if it was about Jonathan, JD wasn’t sure what he’d do.

As JD sat across from Joanne, listening to her talk so effortlessly, something in his chest twisted.

She was sharing her day with him, laughing, telling him about the little things that made her smile. She was warm, open—so comfortable with him.

And then, like a whisper in the back of his mind, a thought slipped in.

What does she think of me?

Because—

She was dating another man.

And yet, here she was. Sitting across from him, eating with him, waiting for him. Talking to him like he was someone who mattered.

Living with him like there was nothing unusual about it.

The lightness that had filled his heart only moments ago drained away, replaced by something heavy and restless.

Did he mean nothing more than just a housemate to her? Just some temporary presence in her life?

Why did that idea make his stomach churn?

He pushed his plate away, appetite lost.

Later, when he went to bed, the thought still lingered, crawling under his skin, unsettling him in a way he hated. He tossed and turned, trying to will it away, but it stuck.

What did Joanne think of him?

Did she even see him at all?

At some point, exhaustion won over, and he finally fell asleep.

But even in his dreams... She was still there.

-----

The next morning was a whirlwind of activity for Joanne. Susan, the kids’ aunt, arrived early to discuss their future. James, Liam, and Fiona were there too, gathered around the kitchen table, voices lowered but firm. Ian Walsh had finally agreed to enter rehab, acknowledging his addiction and the need to regain control of his life. It was a step in the right direction.

The children were overjoyed to be with their aunt. Joanne could see it in their bright eyes, in the way they clung to Susan with a mix of familiarity and longing. She had to remind herself—this was what was best for them. As much as she wanted to keep them, Ian wouldn’t stay silent if he found out they were with her. His temper, his unpredictable nature—it was a risk she couldn’t afford to take.

So she let them go.

There were tears as she hugged them goodbye, but she knew she was doing the right thing by sending them to their aunt. She offered them everything they loved and some more.

Afterward, she turned her attention to other matters, settling affairs at her company and speaking with Veronica. Then came Jeffrey—the horse, not the man. His shoe needed replacing, and Joanne made sure it was done.

That was when she noticed something unusual.

Jeffrey, her temperamental, fiercely loyal stallion, picked up a saddle and nudged it toward JD, as if offering it.

Joanne blinked. Jeffrey had never allowed anyone to ride him. No one. Not even the ranch hands who had cared for him for years. Only Joanne had ever been the exception.

But now?

She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes as JD accepted the saddle and mounted. Jeffrey didn’t so much as twitch in protest. Instead, the horse trotted off with an easy gait, carrying JD across the field like they had been partners for years.

Joanne exhaled, a strange twinge in her chest. Huh... so even my psychopathic horse has fallen for JD’s charms.

JD returned from the ride just as Joanne finished preparing lunch. The air buzzed with anticipation—tonight marked the commencement of the Junior League, and everyone was excited.

Over their meal, JD brought up the ongoing troubles in her company. His voice was measured, but there was an edge of frustration beneath it.

"They think it’s Tom Sullivan," JD said.

Joanne hesitated. "Aren’t you close with Liam? He can do something about it, right?"

JD leaned back, watching her carefully. "Liam and Tom didn’t grow up together. He was adopted by another family. They aren’t close."

Joanne rubbed her arms absentmindedly, discomfort prickling at her skin. She had never liked Tom. Even as a child, his presence unsettled her. Whenever he visited Rockchapel, there was always something... off about him. Liam never got along with his brother, either.

"I don’t think it’s Tom," she admitted, shaking her head.

JD frowned. "You think this is all a coincidence?"

"No." Joanne’s voice was firm. "You’re right that something’s wrong. But Tom doesn’t have the power to pull this off. It has to be someone else... maybe a competitor?"

JD leaned forward, his brows knitting together. "Competitor? You don’t have any competition in this state. Who would mess with you?"

Joanne paused. That was true. She ran one of the most powerful logistics companies in the region. No one had dared challenge her before.

"That’s what I don’t get," she murmured.

JD let out a deep breath. She might be onto something. If it wasn’t Tom, then who? Someone was moving pieces behind the scenes, and he intended to find out who.

"You don’t attend any industry events?" JD asked. "You are a member of the Logistics Association. Are you in touch with them? Have you discussed our issues with them?"

Joanne blinked. "No... I never cared about others. I was too busy keeping my company afloat. I didn’t have time to think about networking."