Glass and Shadows
Jason’s POV
“You didn’t have to be so brutal,” Lucas said beside me, his tone laced with disapproval. I didn’t bother to look at him, just rolled my eyes.
“Helena is the cause of my problems. So I can talk to her however I like,” I snapped. She should be grateful I’m even marrying her. Desperate self.” The bitterness in my voice was sharp, and I didn’t care.
Lucas shook his head, his lips pressing into a tight line, but he didn’t say anything else.
We were heading toward the living room when my father’s aide intercepted us at the hallway junction, bowing slightly with that ever-serious expression he always wore.
“Your brother and father are waiting for you in his study.”
I groaned. “Do I have to go?”
“Your father insisted,” the aide replied curtly, already turning away like the matter was settled. Which, of course, it was. When my father insisted, there was no choice. That’s how it had always been.
Lucas gave me a sympathetic glance. “Let’s get it over with.”
I nodded reluctantly, and we changed course.
The moment I stepped into the study, the scent of aged books and polished wood hit me like a wave of memory. I hadn’t been in here much recently. too many memories, too many shadows. And now, one of those shadows stepped right into my arms.
“My brother!” Jace exclaimed, pulling me into a hug as if we were kids again. “It’s good to see you.” I missed you.”
He pulled back, his eyes sweeping over me with that familiar calculating glint.
“Goodness, you’ve lost weight. Are you sure you’re eating well?” he added, mock concern dripping from every syllable.
I knew Jace. I knew that tone. I knew what it meant. I didn’t rise to it. I just rolled my eyes and turned toward our father.
“I’m here, Dad. You wanted to see me. What do you want?”
“Come on, Jason,” Jace cut in, still smiling like he owned the room. It’s been years. You still can’t be mad at me.”
“Yes, Jason,” my father added, sitting in his usual leather chair, fingers steepled over his mouth. “You need to forgive your brother.”
He’s family. What have I always told you? Family should be important to you.”
That word, family, was like a knife every time he used it. But I knew better than to argue. I forced myself to walk over and pull Jace into another half-hearted embrace.
“There. “Happy now?” I said, already stepping back.
“You’re not done yet,” my father said. Show your brother around. Introduce him to the staff. He’s been away long enough; he should reacquaint himself with our home.”
I was about to protest, but Lucas stepped in, halting me in my tracks.
“I’ll make sure Jason shows him around. Don’t worry, Boss,” Lucas assured, his tone confident.
My father eyed him for a moment, then nodded. “Good. I have a meeting. Behave, boys.” He rose, collecting his tablet and coat before walking out with his aide.
As soon as the door shut behind him, Jace let out a dramatic sigh and grinned.
“Goodness, I’m such a good actor,” he said, heading for the whiskey decanter like it was his second home. He poured himself a generous glass.
“Oh Jason, you haven’t changed. Still cold. “Still full of yourself,” he laughed. “Anyway, congratulations on the engagement.”
He raised the glass mockingly.
“Marrying another woman who’ll never love you? Just like old times.”
The smirk on his face made my blood boil, but I didn’t let it show. I never let Jace see me bleed. Instead, I gestured stiffly toward the hallway.
“Let’s go.”
We began the tour of the estate in silence, walking through the long halls lined with family portraits and gold-framed mirrors. Jace made comments the entire time, none of them complimentary.
“Quite the upgrade since I left,” he said, eyeing the art along the walls. “I mean, a bit excessive, but I suppose you always did like things polished and perfect.”
“Spare me the fake admiration,” I replied dryly. “It’s pathetic.”
He laughed. “Oh, come on. Can’t a younger brother admire his big brother’s accomplishments? You’ve made quite the empire here.”
“You forfeited your right to speak like we’re equals when you abandoned the family.”
“And you,” he said with a raised brow, “forfeited your soul to earn Father’s approval.”
I clenched my jaw but didn’t respond. He wanted a reaction, but I refused to give him one. When we reached the pool area, I felt the shift in my gut before I even saw her. My steps slowed.
Emily and Aurora.
They were by the pool. Emily had just lifted Aurora from the water, holding her gently as she dried her off. The sunlight glistened on the droplets on her skin, her dark hair clinging to her face, and for a moment, I could have sworn even time had frozen.
Jace, however, froze for an entirely different reason. “That’s not Amara...” he said slowly, his voice thick with disbelief. “No, it can’t be. Amara is dead.” His words twisted the air like a dagger.
Before I could speak, Lucas blurted, “That’s not Amara?”
Jace turned to him sharply, eyes narrowing. “Then who is that woman who looks exactly like her?”
“It is none of your business,” I said sharply, stepping between them.
But Lucas, clearly forgetting who he was dealing with, added, “Her name’s Emily. She’s Aurora’s nanny.”
“Emily,” Jace repeated, and a slow, dangerous smile spread across his face. “Interesting.” I didn’t like the glint in his eyes.
“I think I’ll go introduce myself,” he said casually, adjusting his shirt cuffs. “Dad did say I should meet the staff.”
I moved fast, stepping directly into his path.
“Stay away from her, Jace,” I said, my voice low, threatening. “I’m warning you. Don’t test me.”
He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to match mine. “Why so defensive, brother? Something you’re not telling me?”
“I said,” I growled, “stay away from her before I forget that we do not hurt family.”
Jace’s smile widened. “You keep forgetting I don’t answer to you.”
His gaze slid back to Emily, still drying Aurora, unaware of the storm building across the patio.
The worst part wasn’t just that Jace had returned. It was that he’d found the one weak point in my perfectly controlled world within the first hour of being back.
Emily.
Her resemblance to Amara wasn’t just a coincidence; it was a bomb waiting to go off. And Jace… Jace had always known how to light fuses.
“Watch yourself,” I said, my tone calm but deadly.
Jace only chuckled. “It’s nice to be back.”
He walked past me, whistling, his hands in his pockets like this was all a game. And maybe for him, it was. But for me?
This wasn’t a game.