Chapter 7: Tension
Lucy didn't sleep. Not really. Every time she closed her eyes, the same thought came back.
The dizziness. The strange feeling in her body. That one moment—on the balcony.
Her chest tightened as she stared up at the ceiling in the dim light of her room.
"…No," she whispered again. It couldn't be that.
It was too soon.
Too unlikely.
Too… complicated.
She turned onto her side, pulling the blanket tighter around herself. "I'm just overthinking," she muttered. That had to be it.
Stress.
Everything that had happened recently— her forced marriage, living in a new place, dealing with Jack—it was enough to mess with anyone.
That was the explanation. It had to be. Still…
That uneasy feeling didn't go away.
By morning, Lucy forced herself out of bed. She needed to act normally. Think normal. Be normal.
Because the moment she let those thoughts take over … Everything would spiral.
When she steps into the hallway, she hesitates. Part of her expected to see Jack there again.
Waiting.
Watching.
But the hallway was empty. For some reason, that disappointed her. Lucy frowned slightly.
"Why would I even think that?" She took it off and headed downstairs.
Jack was already in the living room. Of course.
Seated, composed, focused—like always. But the moment she stepped in… He looked up.
Their eyes met. And just like that— The tension returned. Stronger than before.
"Morning," he said. Lucy nodded. "Morning."
Her voice was neutral. Careful. Controlled.
She walked past him, heading toward the kitchen. But she could feel his eyes on her.
Following her.
Observing.
As always.
"Did you sleep?"
His voice stopped her mid-step. Lucy hesitated.
"Yeah." Lie. Jack didn't respond immediately. Then— "You didn't." Her jaw tightened slightly.
"You are not inside my head."
"No," he said calmly. But I can tell." Lucy turned to face him. "And what exactly can you tell?"
Jack stood up slowly. "You are restless." she crossed her arms.
"You're imagining things again." Jack took a step closer. "Am I?" Lucy held his gaze. Refusing to back down. But her heart… Her heart wasn't as steady.
"Why are you like this?" she asked suddenly.
Jack paused. "How?" Lucy exhaled sharply.
"Always watching. Always analyzing. Like everything is some kind of… strategy."
Jack tilted his head slightly. "That's how I operate."
"I'm not part of your operation, " she said firmly.
His gaze darkened just a little. "You are part of my life now." The words hung in the air.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Lucy felt something twist inside her. "I didn't choose that." "But you accepted it." Silence.
Because he wasn't wrong.
Lucy looked away first. "I don't want this to get complicated," she said quietly. Jack stepped closer. "It already is." Her breath caught. She knew that. She just didn't want to admit it.
"Last night—" she started. "We agreed it meant nothing," Jack cut in. Lucy nodded quickly.
"Right." But something in her expression shifted.
Because saying it didn't make it true.
"Then why are you still thinking about it?" Jack asked. Her eyes snapped to his. "I'm not."
"Lucy"
The way he said her name— Low. Certain.
Like he already knew the truth. Her chest tightened.
"You don't get to question me," she said
"And you don't get to lie to yourself." The word hit harder than she expected. Lucy stepped back slightly. As if creating distance would help her think clearly again.
"This is exactly what I was trying to avoid," she said. Jack's gaze didn't soften. "You can't avoid something that is already happening." Her frustration rose.
"Yes, I can,"
"How?"
"By letting it mean anything." Jack watched her closely. "And is that working?" Lucy opened her mouth— Then closed it. Because she didn't have an answer.
The silence stretched again. But this time, it felt tighter. Like something was about to snap.
Lucy suddenly turned away. "I need some air."
Jack didn't stop her. But he followed.
They ended up on the balcony again. The same place. The same tension. The same unfinished moment lingered between them.
Lucy gripped the railing, staring out at the city.
"I don't like this," she admitted quietly. Jack stood beside her. "Neither do I." She glanced at him.
Surprised.
"Then why aren't you stopping it?" Jack's jaw tightened slightly. "Because I don't know how,"
That answer—
It was honest.
Too honest.
Lucy felt it. And it made everything worse.
"You're supposed to be in control," she said. Jack let out a quiet breath. "Not everything can be controlled." Lucy shook her head. "I don't believe that." Jack looked at her. "You will."
A sudden wave of dizziness hit her again. Stronger this time. Lucy grabbed the railing tightly. Her vision blurred for a moment.
"Lucy—"
"I'm fine, " she said quickly. But her voice wasn't steady. Jack stepped closer.
Too close.
"Sit down."
"I said I'm fine." But her body betrayed her. Her knees weakened slightly. Jack's hand immediately moved to her arm, steadying her.
The contact sent a sharp awareness through her.
"Stop saying that when it's clearly not true," he said. Lucy tried to pull away. "I don't need your help," Jack didn't let go. "Yes, you do." Their eyes locked again. Closer this time. More intense.
Lucy's breathing became uneven. Not just from the dizziness. From him. From everything.
"You should get checked," Jack said.
Lucy shook her head quickly.
"No."
Jack frowned slightly. "Why not?"
"Because it's nothing." "Or you're afraid of what it might be." Her heart skipped. The word hit too close. "I'm not afraid," she said. But it sounded weaker now. Less certain.
Jack studied her face. Then—
Without warning— He moved his hand from her arm… To just below her chin. Lifting her face slightly so she had no choice but to look at him.
Lucy's breath caught. "You're lying," he said quietly. The proximity. The intensity. The way his voice dropped— it made everything worse.
"Let go," she whispered. Jack didn't. "Not until you tell me the truth." Lucy's heart pounded wildly. "I don't know the truth," she admitted suddenly. The words slipped out.
Raw.
Unfiltered.
Real.
That stopped him. For a moment, Jack just looked at her. And something in his expression changed again. Less control. More…concern.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
Lucy hesitated. Her hand slowly moved—
Resting lightly against her stomach again.
Unconsciously.
Instinctively.
Jack noticed. Of course he did. His eyes followed the movement. And everything stilled.
Jack's gaze darkened as he looked at her hand— Then slowly lifted his eyes back to hers.
"…Lucy," he said quietly. "What aren't you telling me?"