The Silent Rage

The next morning, the house felt like a minefield. Richard was awake and insistent on sitting in the living room. He looked fragile, his usual commanding aura dimmed.

"Lena," Richard called softly as she walked past with a tray of mint tea. "Can you sit with me for a moment?"

She stiffened, her fingers tightening on the tray. "I should get this to the kitchen, Richard. You need to rest."

"The tea can wait. I feel like I haven't really looked at you in weeks," he said, his voice raspy. He reached out, pulling her down to sit on the edge of the sofa.

She heard a faint creak at the top of the stairs. She didn't have to look up to know Jayden was standing there listening to every word.

"I’ve been a fool, Lena," Richard muttered, his fingers tracing the back of her hand. "This made me realize how short life is. I’ve spent too much time being distant, being a man I’m not proud of."

"Richard, please, you don't have to do this now," she whispered, my heart thundering against my ribs. She felt Jayden’s gaze.

"I do," Richard insisted, his voice growing stronger. "Remember what I told you before I got sick? About making us official? I haven't forgotten. As soon as I get better.

I'm going through with it. I want to get you a ring. I’m going to propose properly, Lena. I’m going to make you my wife."

She couldn't breathe. Her eyes instinctively flickered toward the stairs. For a split second, she saw Jayden’s silhouette; his hand gripped the railings. Then, the sound of a heavy door slamming echoed from upstairs.

Later that afternoon, when Richard had fallen asleep.

She went to the kitchen to get a glass of ice water; her mind was wandering about. Richard wanted a life she wasn't sure she could give him anymore.

She didn't hear Jayden enter. She only felt it when she heard footsteps, and the kitchen felt smaller.

"A wedding," Jayden’s voice was dripping with sarcasm.

She spun around, nearly dropping her glass. Jayden was leaning against the kitchen island, his arms crossed. His eyes were burning with hurt he couldn't hide.

"So that’s the plan? You’re just going to wait for him to put a ring on your finger while you play me?"

"Jayden, stop it; if anyone is being played, it's him," she hissed, glancing toward the living room. "Besides, he's just emotional."

"He sounded pretty clear to me," Jayden said, moving toward her slowly. He didn't stop until she was backed against the cold marble of the counter. "He wants to make you his wife. He wants to claim you in front of the world."

He reached out, his hand slamming onto the counter beside her head. "But we both know who you really belong to in the dark, don't we? Does he know how you moan when I dive into your wetness? Does he know you came to my room yesterday?"

"You're being cruel," she whispered, tears of frustration stinging my eyes.

"I’m being honest." He leaned down, his breath hot against my lips. "Tell me to stop, Lena. Tell me you want to be Mrs. Blake, and I’ll walk out of this house and never look back. Tell me you want him and not me."

The silence in the kitchen was deafening. Call her selfish; she didn't care. All she had to do was say the word. One word, and she would be safe. She would be a respectable woman.

But as Jayden’s thumb brushed over her lower lip, her heart crumbled. Her hands reached up, gripping the front of his shirt, pulling him closer.

"I can't," she brokenly whispered.

Jayden let out a jagged breath, his forehead dropping to rest against hers. "God help us... because I can't let you go either."

Before he could close the distance, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway broke the spell. She looked through the window and her heart sank.

Scarlett was back. And this time, her face showed she was set on a mission.

The proposal was the least of her worries. The storm had finally arrived.

Scarlett arrived, looking radiant in a sundress that curved her in the right places.

She rang the bell, and when she opened it, she ignored her and headed straight for Jayden.

"Jay-jay! I was so worried when you told me about your father," Scarlett cooed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and leaning to give him a hug.

Lena watched from the doorway; Scarlett was being intentionally clingy, her hand constantly lingering on Jayden’s arm or adjusting invisible dirt on his shirt. Jayden seemed completely oblivious. He greeted her with a tired but friendly smile, seemingly grateful for the distraction. He didn't see the way Scarlett’s eyes darted toward Lena, flashing a look of hate and disgust.

"It’s good to see you, Scarlett," Jayden said, his tone casual. He didn't pull away when she linked her arm through his.

Lena felt a sharp, hot jab of jealousy in her chest. She wanted to scream, to tell him how naive he is to not see the real person behind Scarlett’s mask.

But she remained silent, like she was the third wheel on their date. Jayden didn't draw the dots; he saw a childhood friend being supportive, while Lena saw a predator marking her prey.

Lena couldn't sleep. Her mind was a whirlpool of Richard’s proposal and what this means for her and Jayden, and now Scarlett is in the picture.

Needing air, she stepped out onto the back porch. The moonlight was bright and beautiful, casting long shadows across the garden. But as she reached the railing, she stopped.

Near the driveway, by Scarlett's car, stood Jayden and Scarlett. They were talking in low tones, melodic laughter resonating in the air. She was leaning against her car, and Jayden was standing too close for Lena’s liking. From this distance, they looked like the perfect couple, sharing an intimate moment.

Lena felt like an intruder in her own home. She turned to slip back inside, but the screen door made a loud sound.

"Lena?" Jayden’s voice called out, cutting through the darkness.

She stopped, her back to them, taking a deep breath before turning around. "I... I wanted to get some air. I didn't mean to interrupt."

"You're not interrupting anything," Jayden said, waving her over. "Scarlett was bothering me to come see how beautiful the sky is tonight. There's space for one more person." He said smiling.

Reluctantly, Lena walked down the porch steps and toward them. Scarlett’s smile was like sugar, sweet on the surface but bitter beneath.

"Oh, Lena, I’m happy you joined us," Scarlett said, her eyes scanning Lena from head to toe. "We were just talking about how much work it must be for you, looking after Richard all day. It’s so kind of you. 

I'm his girlfriend; what do you expect? She asked, rolling her eyes.

Whatever, so tell me, what do you do? Aren't you supposed to be at work or something?"

Scarlet! "Don't start," Jayden scolds her.

The question felt like a jab. It's fine, Lena said with a smile.

"What I do is none of your business, but since you asked politely. I work as the chief financial officer in my company. and most times does creative work."

"Creative work? Interesting." Scarlett giggled, looking at Jayden as if they shared a secret. 

Do you have family nearby?"

Jayden frowned slightly.

The interrogation was relentless. Scarlett was pushing her to the wall, trying to make her feel worthless in front of Jayden.

"Scarlett, that’s enough," Jayden snapped, his voice firm. "It’s late, and Lena is tired."

Lena felt a bit of gratitude, but the damage was done. Scarlett’s questions had done the damage already.

"It’s okay, Jayden," Lena said, her voice controlled. "I don’t mind. But he’s right, it is late. I think I’ll go to my room now. Goodnight.

She didn't wait for a response. She turned and walked back toward the house, her heels clicking sharply against the stone path. She could feel Jayden’s eyes on her back, but she didn't turn around.

Entering her room, she shut the door and leaned against it, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The house felt like it was closing in on her. On one side, Richard was planning a wedding for a woman who's in love with his son. On the other, Scarlett was digging into her past, and Jayden seemed unable to see the fire that was being built around them.

She sat on the edge of her bed, the moonlight spilling across the floor. She was playing a dangerous game, trapped between a father’s love and a son’s desire, while an enemy stood at the gates with a shovel, ready to bury her.

As she stared at the door, she realized the "forbidden" nature of her life wasn't just a thrill anymore. It was a noose, and it was tightening. She wanted Jayden to be with anyone he wants, even though it will hurt, but not Scarlett of all people.

That night, Lena dreamt of a house made of glass and Scarlett standing outside with a handful of stone

s, waiting for the perfect moment to shatter everything.