Just as Jake and Samantha were finding solace in each other's embrace, the doorbell rang.
Samantha's eyes narrowed. "Who could that be?"
Jake's grip on her hand tightened. "I'll go see."
He opened the door to reveal a woman with piercing green eyes and long, curly brown hair.
"Jake," she said, her voice husky. "It's been a long time."
Jake's expression froze. "Mia."
Mia's gaze swept past Jake, locking onto Samantha. "And you must be the new girlfriend."
Samantha's eyes narrowed. "Mia, what do you want?"
Mia's smile was calculating. "I've come to reveal a secret, one that will change everything."
Jake's heart sank. Mia was his ex-fiancée, the one who had left him heartbroken.
"Mia, please," Jake begged. "Not now."
Mia's eyes gleamed with malice. "Oh, but it's perfect timing. You see, Jake, I know all about your father's little secret..."
Samantha's grip on Jake's hand tightened. "What are you talking about, Mia?"
Mia's voice dripped with venom. "Jake's father wasn't the only one involved in Rachel's death. Jake himself played a role..."
Jake's world shattered. Mia's words threatened to destroy everything he thought he knew about himself.
Samantha's eyes widened in shock. "Mia, that's not true!"
Mia's smile grew wider. "Oh, but it is. Jake, you've been hiding secrets, haven't you?"
Jake's face paled, his mind racing. How did Mia know?
"Mia, stop," Jake pleaded. "You're hurting me."
Mia's gaze locked onto Jake's. "You hurt me, Jake. You lied to me, cheated on me..."
Samantha's voice cut through the tension. "Mia, that's enough. You're not welcome here."
Mia's eyes flashed with anger. "Fine. But Jake, know this: I'll expose your secrets. You can't hide forever."
With that, Mia turned and left, leaving Jake and Samantha reeling.
Samantha's arms enveloped Jake. "She's lying, Jake. Don't believe her."
Jake's voice trembled. "What if she's not? What if I'm responsible for Rachel's death?"
Samantha's grip tightened. "We'll face this together, Jake. We'll uncover the truth."
But as they hugged, Jake couldn't shake off the doubt creeping into his mind. Was he capable of something so horrific?
Just then, Emily appeared, her expression somber. "Jake, I need to tell you something. Something that will change everything..."