Chapter 54: The moment everything breaks

Jessica's pov

I went downstairs to see what Michael had forgotten, honestly I wasn’t planning to, I wanted to hide in my room all day and pretend the morning didn’t happen but something inside me kept pushing. Maybe it is curiosity or even fear. As soon as I stepped into the living room, Michael stopped moving. He stared at me with that smug, knowing look. It wasn’t angry nor was it loving. It was that look he gives when he feels one step ahead of everyone. When he thinks he already knows what you’re going to say before you say it. He gestured with two fingers, slow and deliberate.

“Come here.”

My feet moved before my mind did. I walked toward him, each step making my chest tighter. When I reached him, he grabbed my arms gently, but the grip felt controlled like he was holding me in place, not comforting me.

He leaned his face a little closer.

“Jess… I know you don’t have parents.”

My eyes widened immediately and my stomach dropped so fast I felt dizzy.

How does he know?

Did Nick tell him?

Did someone investigate me?

Is he testing me?

Before I could say anything, he pulled me even closer by my arms and his expression changed fast, His eyes opened wider, and his lips pulled into a smile that wasn’t real at all, a smile hiding frustration for not being in control.

Through clenched teeth he whispered:

“Why did you lie to me, Jess?”

My heart slammed into my chest. My palms got sweaty instantly, His tone wasn’t loud, but it was terrifying. Afterall controlled anger was always worse than shouting.

I swallowed hard, lifting my eyes to meet his.

“I...I wasn’t lying,” I managed softly. “I was just scared. You and your mother… you come from a powerful background… people like me don’t belong there. I thought you might look down on me if you knew, That I would seem… inadequate.”

For a few seconds he just stared, his jaw tight and his breathing controlled. Then slowly, his shoulders relaxed and his face softened like he had been holding something heavy and finally decided to put it down. His hands slid from my arms and wrapped around me, pulling me into a hug.

“Jess… it doesn’t bother me,” he said quietly. “You not having parents doesn’t change how I see you. I told you I will take care of you, didn’t I?”

His voice was smooth now, comforting even but my body didn’t relax. My bones stayed locked in place.

I nodded weakly.

“I know. I just… didn’t want to be judged.”

He pulled back slightly, brushing his thumb along my cheek like he was wiping something that wasn’t there.

“You don’t have to worry about that with me.”

His sincerity sounded like a rehearsed line to get me back under control. I hesitated, then softly asked:

“Can I… go back to my house today? Just for a while?”

His whole expression changed instantly

“No.”

“No, you can’t leave.”

I froze.

“What? Why?” I whispered.

He then smiled quickly.

“Because I want you close to me,” he said as if it was the most reasonable explanation in the world. “You’re safe here with me. I like knowing you’re within reach.” Something inside me tensed sharply.

I nodded because I didn’t know what else to do.

“Okay. I understand.”

He tilted his head, studying my face.

“I’m sorry if I scared you just now,” he added, voice softer again. “I didn’t mean to.”

I forced a small smile.

“No… it’s okay.”

He seemed satisfied with that answer and turned away, leaving me standing in the center of the room with shaky legs.

I went back upstairs, closed the bedroom door behind me, and finally let out a long, trembling sigh. My heart beat so fast it felt like it might burst through my chest. I walked toward the window, trying to calm down, and when I looked outside, Nick was standing there in the garden. His eyes were locked on me, deep concern written all over his face.

My throat tightened.

I quickly looked away, pretending I didn’t see him.

I couldn’t afford to get him in trouble.

Rose's pov

The house felt peaceful today but inside me, nothing was peaceful. My stomach twisted every time I thought about Jessica and Nick's safety. Every moment felt like waiting for a bomb to go off.

Sean sat across from me in the living room, scrolling through documents and messages on his phone.

I looked at him, and the pressure in my chest finally pushed the words out.

“Sean… maybe we should just go with what we have. Just… ambush Michael. I can’t keep sitting here, I am scared for Jess and Nick. I can’t shake this feeling that something bad is going to happen.”

My voice shook and my tears burning behind my eyes, before I could say more, Sean put his phone down and pulled me into his arms.

His hand rubbing my back slowly.

“Hey… I know, baby,” he whispered. “I know you’re worried. I’m worried too, but we are going to handle this, Just breathe.”

I clung to him, trying to swallow my fear, but it only got heavier.

He kissed the top of my head then stood up.

“Let me make a call. I need to confirm something.”

I nodded, even though my mind was screaming questions.

What call?

To who?

What if something goes wrong?

What if Michael makes a move first?

Sean stepped outside the house to talk privately. I tried not to overthink it, but I paced the living room until my legs hurt. Minutes felt like hours. When he came back in, he looked different

My stomach clenched.

“Rose,” he said gently, “I’m leaving, Okay? Stay here. I’ll be back soon.”

I blinked at him, confused and hurt.

“Leaving? Where are you going? Did I do something? Are you tired of all this? Of me?”

He shook his head immediately and walked over, cupping my face almost desperately.

“Never, Don’t ever say that, this has nothing to do with you. There’s just something I need to take care of. Trust me.”

But fear was loud, and trust felt fragile.

He then kissed my forehead.

“I’ll be back.”

Then he left.

And my heart dropped to the floor the moment the door closed behind him.

I tried to sit down and breathe, but the anxiety built until I felt my chest tightening, my fingers trembled and the room spun slightly. I was having a panic attack, and I couldn’t stop it.

I curled onto the couch, hugging a pillow, trying to calm myself down.

At some point, I didn’t even realize when I fell asleep.

When I woke up, sunlight had filled the room and my head felt heavy, like my thoughts were made of glue. It was already noon. I immediately rushed from room to room calling out

“Sean? Sean!”

Nothing.

A dull ache spread across my chest.

I then walked to the fridge, needing something cold to distract myself. I took out a tub of ice cream, grabbed a spoon, and sat on the couch. I ate mechanically, letting the cold numb my tongue while tears streamed down my face silently.

Then

Ding dong.

The doorbell rang.

My heart jumped, I wiped my tears quickly and cleared my throat to hide the shaking in my voice.

I opened the door...

And Amanda immediately rushed in, wrapping me in a big hug.

“Oh my gosh, Rose! You will NOT believe this!”

Before I could even respond, she pulled me to the couch like a whirlwind, grabbed my ice cream, and started eating it as if it was hers.

She handed me her phone.

“Look. Look!”

I took the phone and froze.

On the screen was a livestream, Reporters, Flashing cameras, Police cars.

And in the middle... It was Michael who was handcuffed being pushed into the police van.

My breath caught.

And standing in the background, tall and composed was my Sean with Connor beside him.

I stared at the screen, stunned and unable to process it. Amanda leaned in, smirking with pride.

“Mmhhhmm! Isn’t this good news? Hmmm??”

I was speechless, my hand trembled slightly around the phone with relief washing over me like a wave so strong it made me dizzy.

My lips parted, but no words came. Just a soft, shaky exhale. “Thank the heavens for this man…”

My eyes closed, tears slipping out again, but this time they weren’t from fear. They were from overwhelming, indescribable relief.