"We'll take our leave now," one of the officers said. Jake gave a stiff nod, his face expressionless. Just then, Charles and Rose stepped into the mansion, pausing mid-step when they saw officers streaming out of the house. The flashing lights of the ambulance outside flickered against the walls, painting the foyer in red and blue.
Their eyes widened with feigned confusion.
"What happened here?" Charles barked, looking around. "What the hell is going on in my house?" His gaze landed on Jake. "Why are there so many police officers? And where the hell did the ambulance come from?" He glanced around frantically. "Is Aurora okay? I'm asking you a question, Jake!"
Jake's jaw clenched. He didn't look at Charles as he answered coldly, without emotion.
"My mother was murdered." A stunned silence filled the room."What?" Rose gasped, collapsing to her knees as she broke into a dramatic wail. "Oh Sadash! Oh no! Who would do such a thing to you?!"
Charles lowered his voice, feigning concern. "Jake… do you have any idea? Do you suspect anyone?" Jake didn't answer. His gaze remained dead, locked on the floor. The pain in his eyes wasn't just grief—it was fury, tightly leashed.
Jake," Charles called again. "Jake, I'm talking to you!" But Jake didn't wait for more questions. Without another word, he stormed out of the mansion, the door slamming shut behind him. As soon as he was gone, Rose's sobs vanished. She wiped away her fake tears and stood, smirking."Serves him right," she whispered with a wicked grin.Charles scoffed. "Where's that so-called daughter of ours? I bet she's curled up somewhere bawling her eyes out over her favorite nanny."
Rose laughed darkly. "Awww… poor little thing. Who's going to make her almond milk now? You'll have to do it, Charles."
Hey, why me?" Charles replied with a mocking chuckle. "Let's just get her a new nanny." Rose cackled. "Ridiculous! She's all grown up now!"Oh, don't take me seriously," she added, giggling. "I was just joking…"
They both burst into laughter, their cruel amusement echoing in the empty hallway.
Meanwhile…
Jake was spiraling.
He felt utterly lost—drained of purpose. Useless.He had locked himself away with six bottles of Hennessy and now sat among the empty glass corpses, his shirt unbuttoned, his eyes bloodshot. His breath reeked of alcohol and regret.
"This is my fault," he muttered. "I should've protected her… I should've kept her close."
He tipped another drink into his mouth, but it dribbled down his chin. He was too drunk to care. If she had just stayed with me… if I hadn't let her go there…" His voice cracked. "She'd still be alive." He slammed the glass on the table, shattering it."And whose fault is it, huh?" he growled, glaring at the wall as if it had the answers. "Aurora. It's her. All her."
He wiped the tears off his cheeks with the back of his hand, fury burning in his eyes.
"She's the reason my mom's dead. And I'll make sure… she pays for it."
Moments later…
Jake drove to Aurora's mansion, speeding like a madman, barely able to see straight. His rage made him reckless.The guards at the gate tried to stop him. "Sir, you can't go in like this—"
"Get the hell out of my way!" Jake barked, shoving one of them aside. The sheer force of his rage sent the guard stumbling back.They knew better than to challenge him.Jake stormed through the mansion and began banging violently on Aurora's door."Aurora! Open the door!" he roared. "I SAID OPEN THIS DAMN DOOR!"
When she didn't respond fast enough, he kicked the door with all his strength. The lock gave way, and he nearly lost his balance as the door flew open.His chest heaved.Then he froze.There she was—curled up on the cold floor, fast asleep, her cheeks stained with dried tears.How could she sleep so peacefully… after murdering his mother?
"Aurora, wake up!" he bellowed.
She stirred, slowly rubbing her eyes, unaware of the storm standing in her doorway.
"Jake…?" she murmured, blinking at him. "You came back…"She tried to sit up.
Suddenly, he grabbed her and shoved her onto the bed.
"Ouch! Jake!" she cried out in pain, shocked by the sudden violence. "What's wrong with you?! Are you drunk?!"Her voice trembled as she looked at him—his bloodshot eyes, his breath thick with liquor, the fury carved into his face.
"Jake! Since when did you start drinking like this?!" He didn't respond.His mind was drowning in confusion and anger. He wasn't thinking straight.He crawled on top of her, seething, and tore her dress open without warning."Jake, STOP!" she screamed. "What do you think you're doing?! GET OFF ME!"
But he didn't hear her. His eyes scanned her body, hunger and pain mixing dangerously in his gaze.She was wearing a pink sleeveless bra, soft satin that hugged her curves and barely hid her caramel skin. The sight stopped him for a moment—her beauty momentarily eclipsing his rage.
But this wasn't love. This wasn't desire.
It was revenge.Aurora was shaking now, trying to push him off."Jake, this isn't you! Please!"