CHAPTER 19: BRUISE

CHAPTER 19: BRUISE
JAKE’S POV

"Jake, please. Please let me go."

That was Reina’s brother, Xian.

I shook my head and looked down. I couldn’t. I really couldn’t. And even if there was something I could do, I knew I shouldn't.

"I can't. You know that, Xi," I said quietly.

My eyes shifted to him.

I was stuck and confused. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know which choice to make. Every way I looked at the choices I made, it felt wrong.

"Until when are you going to follow your father's orders?" he asked. "Until when are you going to let things happen like this when you have every option?"

"But I don’t have the right to choose," I answered in my low voice. "I love Reina. I fucking do. You know that. But I can’t let her be dragged into this mess. That’s why I’m ruining everything on purpose. That’s why I keep pushing her away. Even when I don't want to."

"You can’t fix this by ruining what they want you to do. You can’t run from it by not marrying her. You know exactly what’s going to happen if you don’t. They always have another way. Just like what they did to me."

He was right. If I don’t do it, they will.

"Jake... please," he said again, pleading this time. "Help me out."

I didn’t speak right away. It took me a while before I could even breathe properly.

Then I finally answered. "No. Sorry."

He let out a deep breath, like he already expected that. Then he sat down slowly on the mattress on the floor, hands resting on his knees.

He looked tired.
He looked hopeless.

And the truth is, I wasn’t any better.

Then my phone lit up with a message. It was from that stranger again. The same one who kept leaving boxes on the doorstep.

> “Meet me in the abandoned house in Catastrophe Village. Second floor. I’ll tell you everything and confirm what you want to know.”

I stared at the screen for a while, thinking.

That’s when Xian spoke. 
"Don't go," he said in his low voice but firm.
"Just don't go," he repeated.

I turned to look at him, confused. His words didn’t make sense to me at first, but I chose to ignore them.

“It’s for your sister’s safety,” I said.

"And what about you?" he asked. "Aren’t you thinking straight? Even if he tells you everything and she ends up safe, how can you be sure you’ll come out alive?"

He was warning me, trying to scare me into staying and letting him go.

He's manipulative just like their parents. 

"I don't care," I said, turning my back on him. 

Then I added, "Maybe you deserve to be stuck in here. B
ecause you didn’t think of her. None of you did. Your selfishness brought you to this place."

And with that, I closed the hidden door in the wall.

I had to confirm it. I needed to know if it was really James who sent those photos. And I had to make sure he was safe.

I took a deep breath before stepping out, quietly, knowing Reina was asleep.

She wouldn't know.
And she didn’t have to.

REINA'S POV

Where could he be?

I sat by the doorstep while my back was leaning against the front door as I waited.

Maybe he’ll come home. I just have to wait. Maybe he’s on his way already.

I didn’t mean to upset him when I said I couldn’t risk anything with him. I do want to—but I’m not ready, not like this. Not when he keeps shutting me out.

Still, I waited. But the night grew colder, and the silence felt heavier, so I glanced up at the wall clock above the fireplace.

“It’s already ten,” I whispered to myself.

I slowly stood up and was about to head inside, when I heard a sound.

The door creaked open and a man came in.

Jake?

The figure collapsed to his knees and he's struggling to stay up.

"Jake!!" I cried out and then rushed towards him.

He was bleeding.

Panic shot through me. I quickly closed the gate behind him and tried to help him stand—but he shoved me away.

Even in that state, he was strong enough to push me hard. I landed on the grass and my breath was caught in my throat.

But I didn’t stop.

I scrambled up and ran to him again. My hands were trembling and my heart was beating so loudly it echoed in my ears.

“Jake, let me help you,” I begged. “Please…”

His body was heavy, but I wrapped his arm around my shoulder, determined not to leave him like that.

He didn’t refuse the second time.

When we got inside the house, I immediately locked the door behind us and helped him sit on the sofa.

“Careful,” I whispered as I gently laid him down.

I could see it clearly now. He was in pain.

His face was bruised and bleeding, and his body was covered in marks I didn’t even want to count.

“Did you get into a fight?” I asked softly.

“Uh-huh,” he muttered, nodding while trying to manage the pain.

I wanted to ask why he left me. Why did he walk away like that? But now wasn't the right time.

I dipped a towel in warm water and carefully cleaned the blood off his face. I tried not to flinch each time he winced. Then I helped him unbutton his shirt.

“I can do it,” he said, trying to push my hands away.

I nodded, stepping back. I walked to his closet and grabbed a clean T-shirt for him. While he changed, I made sure his bruises were cleaned and covered with bandages.

After a while, he seemed a bit better, so I sat beside him. And asked what I’ve been holding back since he came through that door.

“Why did you leave me?”

My voice was calm and quiet.

Jake stood up slowly while holding his side where the bruises were worse.

“You don’t have to ask, Reina,” he said, avoiding my eyes.

“Just sleep. It’s already late. If I hadn’t come home, you would’ve gone out at this hour, wouldn’t you?”

No. I waited for you.

I wanted to say that.

“No. I—”

“Just sleep,” he cut me off and turned away.

I reached out to steady him, but he brushed my hands off without looking back.

Was he still mad at me?