Chapter 10

**Jack’s Shadowy Past**

The storm outside rattled the windows of the Sterling estate, howling like a wounded animal. Raindrops hammered against my already frayed nerves as they relentlessly pelted against the glass. Jack's cryptic response, the break-in, and the note I discovered in my trashed bedroom all made it impossible for me to sleep."

You ought not to have gone.

When I thought of those words, I shuddered. Whoever had written them was familiar with me, or at least sufficiently familiar with me to send a warning that made my spine tingle. Since then, Jack had been eerily silent, his walls, which were already impenetrable, getting higher and higher. Silence alone, however, was insufficient to stop my mind from racing."

I needed clarification.

Slipping out of bed, I tightened my robe around myself as I moved through the mansion's dark hallways. Jack was once more confined to his study. In any case, he never answered when I knocked. Should he fail to inform me of the situation, I would discover it on my own.

My starting point was the library. During my initial tour of the house, I had observed the assortment of vintage journals and newspapers arranged in tidy rows. Everything here had a purpose because, from what I could tell, Jack wasn't the kind to hoard sentimental mementos. And if I had taken away anything from my time with him, it was that Jack Sterling never acted aimlessly.

Until I got to the bottom shelf, where older newspapers were kept in thick, leather-bound volumes, I ran my fingers over the book spines. Randomly taking one out, I turned the fragile pages and skimmed the headlines until I found something that caught my attention.Tragic accident claims the lives of the Sterling family.

As I continued reading, my breath caught."

Late last night, a car crash on the winding cliffs of Blackridge Pass claimed the lives of Jonathan and Margaret Sterling. Although the cause of the accident is still unknown, authorities believe it was caused by brake failure. Jack Sterling, their young son, was only slightly hurt but survived the collision.

My pulse was pounding in my ears as I read the lines again. Jack didn't mention his parents. Never. However, this was more than a mere mishap. The wording wasn't quite right. Be suspicious of brake failure. Apart from the fact that the Sterlings owned some of the most expensive and safest cars available, it sounded plausible. It seemed too coincidental for a mechanical failure.

Examining additional documents, I looked for any references to an investigation or follow-ups. I discovered the second article, which was hidden farther in the archives, at that point.Is There New Evidence of Foul Play in the Sterling Tragedy?

I held the paper so tightly that it wrinkled at the edges.

According to recent reports, there had been tampering with the Sterling vehicle before the collision. The potential for intentional sabotage is currently being examined by investigators. Suspects have not been identified. On the subject, Jack Sterling, the young heir, has declined to comment.

I stared at the words, and they became blurry. Jack had never brought this up. It had never even crossed his mind. If this were the case, and someone had deliberately caused the collision that killed his parents, Jack would have had to deal with this for years. I'm alone.

Behind me, a floorboard creaked, and my heart leaped into my throat."

I whirled around while holding the newspaper close to my chest. With his face in shadow and his eyes fixed on mine with a deadly acuity, Jack stood in the doorway."

"You're doing what?" Although his voice was low, the edge beneath it was unmistakable."

I swallowed forcefully. "I had trouble sleeping.

His eyes shifted to the unfolded newspaper in my grasp, and a shadowy expression crossed his face. "You have chosen to delve into the past?

I grasped the paper more tightly. "Why didn't you ever tell me, Jack?

His jaw tightened, the muscle jerking. "Because you're not worried about it.

"If you're still being pursued, it does." I moved in closer, but he remained motionless. "I guess whoever broke into my room wasn't trying to find me. They were trying to find something related to this."

His silence was sufficient confirmation.

Shaking my head, I let out a breath. "Jack, you cannot act as though this isn't real. Your parents were slain."

At the word, his whole body stiffened. murdered. With his hands at his sides in fists, he cocked his head slightly. "Return to your bed, Amelia.""

“No.”

His eyes, full of something unreadable and raw, jerked back to mine. “Pardon me?”

"I declined." I rounded my shoulders. I'm sick of being in the dark. If you're the reason I'm in danger, then I should know why.

He let out a sour laugh, but it was not a laughing sound. Amelia, do you think you'd like to know? Do you really believe you can handle the truth? Despite my determination, I retreated a step as he took one toward me. "This world was not made for you. There are many secrets, betrayals, and blood-payment debts in it. What you're requesting is completely unknown to you."

Then I whispered, "Tell me." Because, whether you like it or not, I'm already involved

He was silent for quite a while. The wind outside, screaming through the storm, was the only sound between us."

Then he finally said something."

"That night was not supposed to be the death of my parents." The weight of those words made the air feel heavy, even though his voice was now quieter."

A sharp breath escaped my lips. “So who was?”"

He darkened his eyes. "I am.""

A chill went through my body. "Jack"

"That car was meant for me." A thin line formed on his lips. The Sterlings needed to move aside, according to someone. They chose the best alternative when they were unable to reach me."

I felt the weight of his words sink into my chest like lead. “Who?”

Jack didn’t answer. But the way his hands trembled at his sides told me that he already knew."

Before I could press him further, the distant sound of a phone rang through the still home. Jack tensed, his demeanor turning swiftly from anguished to guarded.

“Stay here.” His voice was forceful, absolute."

Then he was gone, disappearing down the corridor toward his study."

But I couldn’t just stay there. Not after everything I had just learned.

As soon as his footsteps faded, I moved, sliding out of the library and along the corridor. Jack had answers answers he wasn’t willing to offer. And if he wouldn’t tell me the truth, then I would find it myself.

I had to.

Because if Jack Sterling had been the genuine goal that night… then whoever had failed back wasn’t finished yet."