Chapter 386

THIRD PERSON POV

Karen’s breath hitched the moment Roland said those words. For a few seconds, she couldn’t move, couldn’t blink, or even breathe properly. It felt like the air had suddenly thickened around her.

She slowly turned to look at him, her eyes sharp, her face stiff. Obviously, she had to act that way to show she wasn't accepting any of that.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said calmly, but using a firm tone.

She was already pushing herself up from the couch, ready to leave the room and escape the weight of his confession, when the front door suddenly opened.

Ashley walked in first, followed closely by Damien and Jacqueline.

Karen froze again, then quickly moved away from Roland. She didn’t want Ashley walking into any awkward moment or misunderstanding. She walked straight towards them, her face full of worry even before she spoke.

“Why are you back already?” she asked, her voice tense. “Where is Miss Rose?”

Jacqueline’s face fell immediately. She shook her head slowly.

“We didn’t find her, Karen. They had already left the location before we got there.” she responded, sounding sad.

Karen’s shoulders slumped. A deep sigh escaped her lips as disappointment and fear washed over her all at once.

Ashley didn’t say anything immediately. Instead, he stepped closer and pulled her into his arms. His hug was firm and reassuring, like he was trying to hold her together.

“We’ll still find a way,” he said softly into her hair. “I promise you that.” he assured her, not wanting her to feel so bad.

Karen rested her head briefly against his chest, closing her eyes. She cared deeply about Miss Rose. The thought of her being hurt or scared somewhere unknown made her heart ache.

“She must be terrified,” Karen whispered. “I just hope they don’t hurt her.”

Ashley pulled back slightly so he could look at her face.

“We won’t let that happen,” he said with certainty. “We’ll do everything we can.”

Jacqueline wiped her eyes.

“This is all my fault,” she said shakily. “If I hadn’t encouraged her to go out or anything.”

“It’s not your fault,” Damien said quickly, stepping closer to her. “None of this is your fault. She still would go out. After all, the man was her lover.”

Karen took a deep breath, trying to stay strong, but it wasn’t easy. The house suddenly felt heavy with fear, tension, and unanswered questions.

Ashley gently held Karen’s hand.

“Come,” he said softly. “Let’s go to the room.”

She nodded weakly and followed him upstairs. Inside the room, Ashley closed the door behind them and turned to face her.

“You need to be strong,” he said calmly. “Especially for the kids. I know this is hard, but worrying too much won’t help Miss Rose right now.”

Karen swallowed hard.

“I know,” she said softly. “I just hate feeling so helpless.”

Ashley cupped her face gently.

“We are not helpless,” he said. “We just need time, and patience.”

She nodded, even though fear still sat heavily in her chest.

Downstairs, Roland stood quietly as he had watched them leave. His heart felt heavy, but he said nothing. He turned to Damien instead.

“We should go back home,” Roland said calmly. “There’s nothing more we can do here for now.”

Damien nodded. “Yeah. You’re right.”

Jacqueline walked over to Damien, worry still clear on her face. Damien pulled her into a tight hug.

“Please be careful,” he said softly. “Don’t go around just anywhere. I don’t want anything happening to you.”

Jacqueline nodded against his chest.

“I will. I promise.”

Damien leaned in and kissed Jacqueline gently on the lips. It was a short kiss, filled with care and worry, not passion. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers for a brief moment.

“Please,” he said softly, “be careful.”

“I will,” Jacqueline replied with a small nod. “You too.”

Damien turned away reluctantly and walked back towards Roland, who was already standing near the door. Without saying much, the two men stepped out of Ashley’s house and into the quiet night.

The cool air hit them as they walked to the car. Roland’s driver was already waiting, the engine running softly. They got in, Roland taking his usual seat while Damien settled beside him. The door closed, shutting out the noise of the house behind them.

As the car pulled away, silence filled the space. The city lights passed by the window, casting faint shadows inside the car. Roland stared straight ahead, his face calm but distant. Damien leaned back, his arms crossed, his mind clearly busy.

Minutes passed without a word.

The hum of the engine and the soft sound of tires on the road were the only noises. Damien adjusted in his seat, glancing at Roland from the corner of his eye. He hesitated, then finally spoke.

“Do you still have your eyes on Karen?” Damien asked suddenly.

Roland’s gaze shifted slowly towards him.

“Why would you ask that?” he replied.

Damien shrugged slightly.

“It just looks like it.”

Roland didn’t answer immediately. He looked away again, towards the window, watching the lights blur as the car moved. His jaw tightened, and he let out a slow breath.

“You notice too much,” Roland said softly.

Damien didn’t smile.

“I’ve known you long enough,” he said. “I can tell when something is eating you up.”

Roland sighed deeply, rubbing his fingers together as if trying to calm himself.

“It’s not something I’m proud of,” he said.

Damien leaned forward a little.

“Then talk to me.”

Roland stayed silent for a moment longer. His reflection stared back at him from the dark window, reminding him of everything he was trying to hide.

“I can’t just forget Karen,” Roland finally said. “No matter how hard I try.”

Damien’s eyes widened slightly, but he didn’t interrupt.

“She’s married again,” Roland continued. “Back to her ex-husband. I know that. I respect it. Or at least, I try to.”

The car drove on, the road stretching endlessly ahead of them.

“But the feeling,” Roland said, his voice lower now, “it doesn’t go away. I suppress it every day. I tell myself to let it die, to move on, to be reasonable.”

Damien watched him closely.

“And is it working?”

Roland let out a dry laugh.

“Not at all.”

He leaned back, closing his eyes briefly.

“It’s driving me crazy, Damien.”

The driver glanced at them through the mirror but wisely stayed quiet.

“I see her,” Roland continued, “and everything I buried just comes back. Her voice and her face, the way she used to look at me.”

Damien swallowed.

“She’s happy now.”

“I know,” Roland said quickly. “That’s what hurts the most.”

He opened his eyes again, staring at the ceiling of the car.

“I tell myself I should be happy for her. And sometimes, I am. But other times…”

He paused.

“Other times?” Damien prompted gently.

Roland’s hands clenched into fists.

“Other times, the feeling in me is making me almost go crazy to an extent that I wish to snatch her back.”