Jake towered over Aurora for a moment longer, his gaze lingering on her pale face. He leaned down, pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, and then turned to leave the room silently his heart weighed with fury and guilt.
Downstairs, Jake's fury was uncontainable. His jaw clenched as he stormed into the servant's quarters, his voice thunderous.
"Melissa!" he roared. "MELISSA!"
The maid came rushing out, startled, but she masked her expression with feigned innocence. "Yes, sir?"
Jake's voice was sharp as steel. "What kind of nonsense did you say to Aurora?! Do you have any idea what you've done?! She nearly died because of your filthy mouth!"
Melissa blinked, then crossed her arms. "I didn't say anything wrong. I just told her the truth. She's a burden and she always will be."
Jake's fists curled at his sides. His entire body shook with rage.
"You know exactly why I've tolerated your presence in this house. And yet you take advantage of it you insult everyone, disrespect every soul in this household. But today… you crossed every line."
Melissa stepped forward, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Jake, come on… you know how I feel about you. Just forget about her. Let's stop pretending and set something rolling." She winked, placing a hand on his chest.
Jake slapped her hand away, disgust flashing in his eyes. "Enough. Wake up, Melissa. I could never be with you. What on earth makes you think I'd stoop so low to be with a maid?"
She smirked, undeterred. "And yet… you reject me with such heat. You don't know it, but it only turns me on more," she whispered, sauntering closer, her hips swaying. She reached for his waistband but Jake seized her wrist mid-air and squeezed it hard.
"Ouch! Sir, you're hurting me!"
He leaned in, voice low and menacing. "What were you about to do? Seduce me? Don't even try to deny it sir. You've wanted this for so long, haven't you?" Melissa licked her lips, undeterred. "She claims she loves you… but she can't even give you her body. I will, Jake. I'll give you mine and so much more."
Jake's expression darkened. "That's because she's not a whore like you. She respects herself. Something you'll never understand."
His grip tightened for a moment before he released her arm roughly. "You know what? This sick game ends now. Pack your things, Melissa. You're fired."
Her eyes widened. "No! You can't! What about the promise you made to my mom?"
Jake glared at her. "I don't care. I won't let you be the reason I lose the woman I love. And I should've done this a long time ago." He sighed, his tone shifting to cold practicality. "You wanted Juilliard, right? That's the college you've always dreamed of. Fine. I'll make sure you go there. I'll pay for everything. That should be enough for you."
Her mouth opened in shock.
"I'll cover your tuition. Your housing. Everything. You'll live in comfort just not under this roof. "But sir… please… have mercy!" Jake barked a bitter laugh. "Mercy? Haven't I already shown you enough mercy? I'm literally funding your dream, and you still want to destroy my relationship?"
Melissa's eyes filled with panic. "I'm sorry! Please don't make me leave. I didn't mean—"
"You meant every word," Jake snapped. "And now you'll undo the damage. You'll tell Aurora the truth. You'll clear every misunderstanding you created. "There's no way I'm doing that," she muttered, defiant. Jake turned, eyes flashing. "Then say goodbye to Juilliard… and hello to life on the streets."
Melissa's face froze. "You… you wouldn't—"
"Try me," he growled.Her shoulders slumped. "Fine. I'll do it… I'll clear the misunderstanding." Jake turned his back to her without another word.
"Ouch…" Aurora whimpered softly, blinking against the brightness flooding into the room. Her eyes stung, her body ached, and her throat felt dry. Slowly, she adjusted to the light and rubbed her eyes. When she finally sat up on the bed, she noticed the drip attached to her hand. Confused, she stared at it for a few seconds."Did Jake…?" she whispered. A faint memory flickered in her mind.
"Yes… I taught him how to do this… the last time." Her heart clenched.
But the warmth in her chest didn't last long.
Jake.The thought of his name sent a bitter taste to her tongue."I have to leave… before he realizes I'm awake," she muttered, slowly pulling the IV from her hand. Her fingers trembled.
She swung her legs off the bed, ignoring the sharp sting in her side.Her resolve had hardened.