LOGINJADE“You found the files?” Mr. Bennett says warmly.“Yes, I did.”Victoria lets out a depressed sigh as she sees me. She isn't aware that seeing her and her father together makes me feel sorry for myself, and jealous of her. I hand the files to Mr. Bennett. Suddenly my phone vibrates in my coat pocket. I slip it out, my eyes narrowing at the glowing screen. An anonymous number.‘Hey, Jade. Long time no see. I don't like being tasered.’‘Have you asked Zayn about how you first met? Have you asked him about the room where he keeps his secret obsession? Meet me at your place if you want to find out the truth. In Zayn’s room. Don’t tell grandma or Zayn about it when you get here. I’m waiting.’My stomach drops. Damon. Is he in our home? It can't be possible. Zayn is in Dr. Declan’s private lab in the Adirondacks. That’s about four hours away from home. Damon mentioned Amanda. That means he’s at the estate with Amanda.The thought of Damon in Zayn’s room makes my skin crawl. He is inside
~~DAMON~~“Damon, dear, are you absolutely certain this is a good idea?” Grandmother asks quietly as the Bentley glides to a stop in the driveway. She sits beside me with her hands folded neatly in her lap, her elegant features etched with concern. Ever since the incident at the shooting range, she has been unusually withdrawn. I lower my eyes, forcing shame into my expression. “I have to try, Grandmother.”Her gaze softens. “What you did was cruel,” she says gently as if she's scared to hurt my feelings. Old age has made her softer. “You know how deeply Zayn was affected by what happened years ago. Pointing a gun at him…” She sighs heavily. “I still cannot understand why you would do such a thing again. I’ve warned you several times to never do that to you brother.”I look away.I wanted to kill him, Grandmother.That was the truth. I wanted to kill him and his silly little wife. If they're gone, maybe my problems would be obliterated with their demise. I understand exactly why I
JADE The call disconnects, and the pieces of my fractured life slam together with the force of a freight train. I wasn't sick. I had my womb taken out. I was killed. The thought echoes in my skull as I weep bitterly in the bathroom. Barbara and Daniel didn't just hate me. They used me and when I was no longer useful, they experimented on me. Just like Jenna is experimenting on Mr. Bennett. I rinse my face with cool water from the faucet. I stare at my reflection in the mirror. The tears are gone, replaced by a burning resolve. I swallow the lump of grief in my throat, force my posture straight, and step back out into the master bedroom. Mr. Bennett is practically glowing. He has tossed his newspaper aside and is currently trying to do light stretches by the window, hum-singing an old jazz tune under his breath. The frail, dying old man from last week is completely gone. In his place is a man reclaiming his vitality. “Ah, Jade! There you are,” he booms, turning around with a wide
“Jade!” she pants, her hand flying to her chest as she tries to regain her composure. “You… you frightened me.”“Clearly,” I say, crossing my arms as I look from her pale face down to the scattered placebos. “You look like you've just seen a ghost, Jenna. Why are you handling Mr. Bennett's medication? I thought Lucy was in charge of that now.”Jenna’s shock disappears. She straightens her posture, trying to look imposing. “I am his wife, Jade. I have every right to check on his treatments. In fact, I was just noticing how unusually well Henry is doing lately.”“Unusually well?” I take a step closer, forcing her to look up at me. “Most people call that a recovery, Jenna. You sound disappointed.”“Don't be absurd. I’m his wife. I care about his health more than anyone in this house. I was just checking to make sure the dosage was correct.”“The dosage is perfect. He hasn't vomited blood in a week. His hands have stopped shaking. It's almost as if whatever was making him sick has suddenl
“I’m so sorry,” I apologize, my voice dripping with pretentious innocence as I look down at the disaster on the floor. I turn to Mr. Bennett with a bright smile. “I guess we'll have to eat out after all.”Mr. Bennett’s face lights up. He grins like a schoolboy on a snow day and stands up from the bed so fast, probably scared I would change my mind. Jenna’s glare is hot enough to pierce through a solid brick wall. She forces a sweet smile onto her face. “Don't be ridiculous, Jade. Accidents happen. I’ll just have the kitchen make another tray.”“That’ll take too much time,” I retort. “And Mr. Bennett is starving.”“The maids will get it ready in no time,” she replies.Meanwhile, Henry is already moving. He throws on his jacket, a baseball cap, and a pair of dark sunglasses—his usual disguise whenever he sneaks out of the estate. Watching him move with such desperate eagerness brings sadness to my heart. He is a billionaire, yet he is acting like a prisoner escaping a cage.“We’re eati
The next morning, Zayn and I needed to see Amanda. We drive to his family’s estate because she asked to have breakfast with us. She’s happy to see us together. At the dining table, the whole family is present. Mr. Hemsworth, his wife… and Damon. It’s the first time I’m seeing him since the night at the company party.After breakfast, Amanda and I decided to chat about anything. Mrs. Hemsworth leaves shortly after, clearly irritated throughout our conversations. I know she doesn't like me. She can't even pretend to. Mr. Hemsworth and Zayn are outside. And so is Damon.I don't like the fact that he’s here, but I can't stop him from coming to see his family. It’s his home after all. If they don't mind that he’s here, then who am I to question their judgment? Suddenly, Amanda’s expression changes the moment she hears the unmistakable sound of a gunshot. I flinch in my seat.“What’s that?” I quiver.Zayn is outside. I stand quickly without thinking and running outside the mansion. Far out
Zayn drops me off at work as usual. I step out of the vehicle and spot Ella walking briskly toward the building.“Ella!”She turns abruptly and locks eyes with me. Then a sweet smile graces her beautifully round face, and she waves happily.“I’ll go with her,” I tell Zayn.“Have a good—”I don’t wa
JADEI can't pretend that I don't hear the hum of corporate gossip swirling around me in the cafeteria. Coffee and office gossip are my least favorite combination. I poke at my salad, my mind still drifting back to three days ago. I shouldn't care at all, but I can't get the image out of my brain.
The flush of the kiss she’s been sharing with the old man suddenly vanishes, replaced by a ghostly, sickly pallor. She looks like she’s been caught in a crime. And kissing a man who's old enough to be her father—and definitely someone else’s husband—looks like a crime to me.Beside her, the older m
“No way! I can't,” she yelps, nervous. “I’m not—I’m not properly dressed for a place like this. I'm in a hoodie.”I don't look at her clothes. I look straight into her ocean blue eyes. “It doesn't matter what you wear, bunny. You’ll belong anywhere you choose to stand.”She huffs out a small, disbe







