Chapter 6

The second Jacob walked in, Lillian lit up and launched herself at him.

"Jacob, you came back. You were so scary earlier—I was freaking out."

Tears laced her voice, but all he felt was pure disgust.

He shoved her to the floor, face cold.

"Jacob, what's wrong? Is this still about Zoe not forgiving me? Just give me another shot—I'll say sorry again. But seriously, isn't she being a little dramatic? She never used to be this moody. Maybe she's faking it to get something out of you."

Same old Lillian—still trying to twist things, thinking he'd fall for it.

To her shock, Jacob suddenly raised his hand and slapped her hard.

"Shut up. You don't get to talk about her."

Lillian clutched her cheek, eyes wide. "Jacob... you hit me? For HER?"

He didn't answer. Just hit play.

Her own voice filled the room—vile, sharp, undeniable.

Her face drained.

Jacob's jaw tightened. "You're a snake. I never want to see you again. And trust me, you're gonna pay for this."

Lillian dropped to her knees, clutching his leg, sobbing.

"Jacob, I didn't mean to! I just love you too much. I couldn't keep your secret anymore, that's why I said it first. But you were gonna tell her anyway, right? I was just a few minutes early."

With every word, his face darkened.

He kicked her off and pulled out his phone.

"Move Lillian to a special ward," he told his assistant. "You know what to do."

Lillian didn't know the details, but she knew Jacob—and what he did to women who crossed him.

He'd sent others to remote places, cut off, forgotten.

"Jacob, please! Don't do this—I'm your childhood friend!"

He looked down at her like she was nothing.

"Childhood friend? You're not even worth that."

Men in black swept in, grabbed Lillian, and dragged her toward the door.

"No—don't!" she shrieked. "Jacob, you can't do this to me!"

He didn't even glance back—just walked off without a word.

Her fear snapped into fury.

"Jacob! How can you do this? YOU hurt Zoe! YOU ignored her, let her down over and over. That's why she left! You didn't even know, did you? I called her when she was already at the airport. This wasn't my fault!"

His steps slowed.

He exhaled, voice flat.

"Forget the special ward."

Lillian's face lit up—hope flashing for half a second.

Then came the knife.

"Take her back to my place. Lock her in the basement. I'll deal with her myself."

The men nodded and hauled her out, her screams drowned by the thunder of rotor blades above.

Jacob didn't stop. He headed straight for the rooftop.

He couldn't wait one more second. He had to get to Zoe.

***

The thirty-minute flight dragged like thirty years.

Jacob kept checking his watch, heart pounding.

Outside, clouds blurred past. He remembered Zoe curled up in his arms once, whispering,

"Jacob, I've always wanted to fly. What's it like—breaking through the clouds? Do you know?"

He hadn't answered.

She'd laughed, poked his cheek.

"Right, you've probably never flown either. But it's okay. I'll work hard, and someday, we'll watch the sunset from the sky."

That memory cut deep. If he could go back, he'd take her hand and get on that chopper with her—no hesitation.

Lost in the thought, the helicopter touched down.

He didn't bother with a hotel. Just hit the streets, searching.

But days passed.

Nothing.

It was like she'd vanished into thin air.