Masuk"Let her go." Jake said, taking a step forward.
Brendan let out a hysterical laugh. "Coming from a rich criminal like you? That’s rich, Jake. How many times have I tried to invite you out to a place like this? But it seems you were never meant for the shadows anymore. The dirty slum that built you suddenly became a place you didn't want to be seen around. You tra
I dropped my spoon as my name fell from Jake's lips immediately. I stood up and walked out of the dining, walking into my room immediately, was I angry or pissed, I don't know neither did I want to speak with anyone.I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep, the kind that only comes when the mind finally refuses to process any more trauma.When I finally woke up, the morning light was filtering through the blinds in harsh streaks. I made my way to the kitchen, my head heavy."Your mother has traveled for a two-week vacation," Jake said, his voice cutting through the hum of the refrigerator. He was sitting at the kitchen island, a plate of food before him. "Drake went out for practice," he added, his tone signaling the heavy truth of
"I want to do it," Jake said, his voice dropping an octave, heavy with a resolve that seemed to vibrate in the small space between us. "For the sake of myself... I owe us that much."I stayed frozen, the silk of my dress cool against my skin while his words burned. "All of a sudden, you’re deciding on this? Now? After all this time? After begging you, after literally shoving it to your face this entire time.""Because I realized it’s the right thing to do," he admitted, "I put it off for so long, trying to navigate the fallout, but in the end, it’s the only real choice left on the table.""Why?" I asked, taking an inch closer. I could feel the radiant heat of his body, "Why did you decide that today of all days?"
"Truth?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. I pushed him away slightly, the physical distance feeling necessary to keep my heart from beating out of my chest.Instead of answering, Jake’s expression shuttered. He pulled back, closed the passenger door with a heavy thud, and rounded the car to the driver’s seat. The silence inside the vehicle was vacuum-sealed, broken only by the sharp, rhythmic sound of his breathing."What truth, Jake?" I pressed as he settled into the seat.He didn't start the car immediately. He turned to me, his hand reaching out with a trembling delicacy to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear. "God," he breathed, a series of heavy sighs escaping him in the span of a second. He looked aged, the lines around his eyes deepene
"Let her go." Jake said, taking a step forward.Brendan let out a hysterical laugh. "Coming from a rich criminal like you? That’s rich, Jake. How many times have I tried to invite you out to a place like this? But it seems you were never meant for the shadows anymore. The dirty slum that built you suddenly became a place you didn't want to be seen around. You traded your soul for a tailored suit."Brendan stepped into the light, "I told you, Jake. I’m never going to let you walk free for the crimes you committed against my family. Against my father. You destroyed him, and you thought you could just buy your way out of the guilt.""I said... let her go," Jake repeated.He
"Stop it!!"The scream tore from my throat with enough force to vibrate in the hollow space of the warehouse. I managed to shove him back, my palms hitting his chest with a desperate strength I didn't know I possessed."Stop!" I screamed again, the sound echoing off the corrugated metal. "Is this how you’re going to love me? By being hard on me like this? By holding me captive? Is this the version of love you’re choosing for me?"I looked at him, my vision blurred by hot, angry tears. Brendan was panting heavily, his chest heaving under his shirt,"This is not how you loved me in the beginning, Brendan," I whispered, my voice trembling.
"Wait!" I pulled my leg back, my heels catching on the uneven concrete. "What for? What do you plan to do with me, Brendan!"I yelled until my throat felt raw, but the men didn't hesitate. They moved like a single wave and I tried to run, my eyes darting toward the dark corners of the warehouse, but they were too fast. Before I could take three steps, they had already pinned me. Their hands were like iron clamps, holding me with such cold precision that I couldn't even struggle."Brendan, what’s come over you?" I gasped, my chest heaving. "What do you want to do with me? Don't you dare... don't you dare rape me!""Rape?"He asked the question as if I had just insulted his very soul, but I didn't know what he was capable of anymore. I had underestimated him because of his softness, his gentle smiles and quiet words and look where that had gotten me. I was a prisoner in a hollowed-out shell of a building, at the mercy of a boy who I thought was gentle, who I thought was peace... who was







