She didn't want to be on bad terms with her sister. She loved her deeply, but she was still very upset—her father was her weak spot.
"I need to make things right with her," she said, looking at her friend.
"I know. But do it when you feel ready. You have the right to be upset, and it's better to calm down first than to forgive her while you're still angry. That wouldn't be ideal."
"You're right."
Nerea went back to making the bed, and Jade let out a deep sigh.
"It happened again…" she confessed, catching her best friend's curious attention.
"You forgot something else?" the brunette teased with a smile. Jade shot her a glare and threw a pillow at her.
"All right, all right," Nerea laughed. "Tell me."
"Dominick kissed me again… this time, things went further. If Maximiliano hadn't called, I would've had sex with him," she covered her face with both hands.
"Buzzkill!" Nerea complained dramatically. "I mean, come on! To ruin what could've been an amazing night with Dominick? That's just cruel."
"Nerea!" her friend scolded.
"It was for the best. I can't sleep with him…"
"But you want to," Nerea interrupted, crossing her arms. "What's so wrong about giving in to carnal pleasure?"
"Nerea, don't start," Jade groaned, letting her head fall back. "I'm dating Robinson, remember? Even though it's not official, and nothing's happened beyond some outings and hanging out, I still feel like I'm committed to him."
Nerea frowned.
"Sorry, but that's just stupid. 'Committed'?" She stood in front of her, towering over the seated blonde. "You're not actually in a relationship. Has he asked you to be his girlfriend?" Jade shook her head. "Have you even talked about taking things further?" Another shake. "You haven't even kissed, for crying out loud!"
Jade rolled her eyes, not happy with the sermon, but she said nothing.
"You owe it to yourself to put your own pleasure first. I'll say it again, because clearly you didn't get it the last time we talked at the park," Nerea crossed her arms. "If you want something serious with Robinson, talk to him and figure it out. You're not kids holding hands in middle school." She rolled her eyes. "And if, on the other hand, you want to sleep with Dominick, do it—and then leave it at that. Either choice is fine, as long as it's what you really want, and as long as you're not hurting in the process."
Jade looked at her friend. She knew she meant well and just wanted what was best for her… but instead, she only confused her more, making her question the pros and cons of a situation she simply couldn't accept. She couldn't accept that she had feelings for him. Never.
She tilted her head slightly, exposing the side of her neck where a color much darker than her skin stood out.
"What's that?" her friend asked with a giggle.
"What?" Jade straightened up.
"This," Nerea said, lowering the collar of her shirt and revealing a massive hickey, somewhere between purple and red. "You've got a huge love bite on your neck—and considering Robinson is too much of a gentleman to even kiss you without permission, I think it's safe to say this is Dominick's work."
"That bastard!" Jade shouted, standing up. "He's going to hear from me right now."
Nerea burst out laughing, earning a deadly glare from her friend. Jade stormed out, fuming.
Curses spilled from her lips as she walked quickly. She told herself she'd check his room first. She got into the elevator, where only two other people were inside.
Her foot tapped the floor repeatedly like it had a mind of its own. The elevator opened and she stepped out immediately.
In her head, she planned out exactly what she would say to him, every single word she'd use… But the moment she saw him walking down the hallway, dressed entirely in black, her mind went blank. The only thing her head could recall were his skilled fingers, moving in and out of her, making her moan like never before in her life.
She cursed silently and shook her head to banish those lustful thoughts.
Jade was rooted to the floor—her willpower shattered the moment she saw him, and that disgusted her.
As if he had felt her stare—or somehow sensed her presence—Dominick turned and locked eyes with the young woman standing a few meters away. He narrowed his eyes and started walking toward her.
Jade considered turning around and leaving, but she wasn't going to run. She would face him and put an end to this little game of his.
She held her breath as he stopped right in front of her, scanning her slowly, taking in every part of her face.
"I'm glad to see you," he said, hands in his pockets, a flirty smile dancing on his tempting lips.
"Well, I'm not," she crossed her arms—her attempt at creating a barrier, a way to keep him at a distance. "I came to talk to you. And it's something very serious."
"Then let's go to my room, I'd be cozier" he replied with a smile, that mischievous grin of his giving him away.
"No," she said, clearing her throat and shifting uncomfortably. She knew that if she crossed that door, she'd be stepping into dangerous territory. He would use any cheap trick to get her out of her clothes—and this time, he'd finish what he started. "We're fine right here, and I'll be brief."
"If that's what you want…" he shrugged. "Go ahead."
"I need you to keep your distance. I don't want you near me. In fact, don't talk to me. Ignore me. But please, stop trying to sleep with me…" He raised an eyebrow. "This… whatever you're doing, it's not good for either of us."
"If I believed you didn't want me, I'd leave you alone," he interrupted. "But we both know what happens when I kiss you… how wet you get when I touch you. So what's the problem with sleeping with me?"
Jade tensed, and inevitably, her cheeks flushed. Heat rushed through her body as the memories came flooding back.
Dominick was shameless.
"The problem is… I already have a boyfriend!" she blurted, flustered. Lately, Dom's closeness made it hard to think straight, and that was the only excuse that came to her. Dominick's expression hardened. "And I can't go around kissing you. It's wrong. I hope you'll respect that and keep your distance."
His chest rose and fell—he was clearly angry.
"You almost slept with me yesterday," he snapped, gritting his teeth. "You were going to have sex with me yesterday, and now you tell me you have a boyfriend?!" he shouted.
Jade looked at him, startled. She didn't understand why he reacted like that. Dominick looked furious.
"That's none of your business!" she shouted back, just as upset.
She turned to leave, but he grabbed her wrist forcefully. Without warning, he shoved her against the wall, hard enough to make her wince—her ribs were still sore.
"Either you're lying to get me to back off," he growled, "or you're just like her. A traitor. What would your boyfriend call what you almost did with me, huh? Can't he satisfy you? Is that why you're chasing other men like me?"
"You're an idiot!" she yelled, struggling to break free. "You don't know anything!"
"All I know is you're going to end that relationship—or else," he threatened, then let her go.
He left her there, confused and hurting. She'd have to change the bandage on her side and take more painkillers...
[...]
Jade had the brilliant idea to avoid Dominick as much as possible—and she actually managed it. She began to actively run from him. She made sure not to cross paths with him, and if by some misfortune—at least to her—she did run into him, she bolted immediately.
And it worked for four days. She barely saw him, was finally able to breathe, think clearly, and find some peace. She had gone back to work the day before and made sure to avoid taking Dominick's room, even by accident. During those days, she also visited her father, who seemed to be improving, though he still urgently needed a heart transplant.
She'd also gone to the bank on Monday, begging them and promising that what happened wouldn't happen again…
It was Friday, and she decided it was time to visit her house. She needed to go and sort things out with her sister, bring back the bank letter, and assess the situation at home.
It was 7:05 p.m., and she was getting ready to leave. She grabbed her bag, some money, and her phone. She left her room and headed down the stairs. In the lobby, she ran into Robinson.
"Hey," she greeted him.
"Hey, Jade," he said, hugging her—and she didn't hesitate to hug him back.
"How's your sister? I heard you went to see her on Sunday."
"She's doing better. The doctors are more hopeful now, and they've moved her out of intensive care. The baby's still delicate, but improving," he smiled, relieved.
"I'm so glad, Robinson. You'll see—soon Ginna will be completely recovered."
"That's what we're all hoping. Where are you off to?" he asked. "With everything going on, I've completely neglected you," he added with a regretful expression. "How's Lucas? Are you eating properly?"
"I'm going home—I've got a few things to take care of," she answered. "Dad's a little better. And yes, I'm eating well—Nerea's going overboard and trying to stuff food into me like crazy."
They both laughed.
"That's for the best. I'm glad. Now go, I won't keep you any longer," he said, holding the door open for her.
The blonde said goodbye and soon found herself at the bus stop, getting on the right route… unaware that a car was quietly following behind her.
She was checking her messages. One was from Armand, asking how she was doing. Another was from Etienne, asking when they were all going out drinking again.
She smiled at that.
She replied to both and put her phone away, scolding herself for not bringing her headphones. With nothing else to do, she settled for watching the city roll by through the window…
[...]
The bus dropped her off at her stop, and she began walking the remaining two blocks. She glanced at the house just a few meters ahead and sighed.
When she reached the door, she pulled out her key, opened it slowly, and stepped inside, scanning the space with suspicion.
She shut the door quietly behind her. The house was unusually silent. She looked around—the living room, the kitchen—everything was empty. She quickly headed up the stairs and into her room, locking the door behind her and breathing a little easier.
Still, an unsettling feeling pressed on her chest, like something bad was about to happen.
She tried to shake off those absurd thoughts and went to her dresser drawer to look for the bank document. She opened it and smiled when she saw it was still sealed. She took it and left her room, heading to her sister's.
Everything was neatly arranged, but her sister wasn't there.
She placed the envelope on the bed and wandered over to the closet, rummaging through it and pulling out all the dresses that wretched Allison had given her. Six in total. Jade couldn't tell if she'd given them out of spite, or because she genuinely cared for her sister.
She took them all, along with the document, and returned to her room. She stuffed everything into a small backpack and slid it under the bed. She caught her reflection in the mirror—her cut was already starting to heal.
"You're so pretty, Jade," she told her reflection, wiggling her eyebrows. She let out a soft laugh at herself.
The sound of something shattering downstairs made her frown. She stepped out of her room and crept down the stairs slowly, glancing around.
She went over to the fireplace and grabbed the iron poker.
If it was a thief, they wouldn't catch her off guard. She walked slowly and found a broken vase in the living room. She bent down to pick it up—but someone grabbed her from behind.
A strong arm pinned her, and the poker was yanked out of her hands. She heard the clatter as it hit the floor across the room.
A hand clamped over her mouth.
"Now it's time I collect payment for what you did to my daughter," growled Elías, sending a chill down her spine. Terror shot through her body.
Her stepfather spun her around and slapped her hard. The force of it stunned her and sent her crashing to the floor. Pain radiated across her cheek as the taste of blood filled her mouth.
"You little whore. Always throwing yourself around whenever you come here," he sneered maliciously. From the floor, Jade stared at him in horror and began backing away.
"The only whore here is Allison!" she snapped, trying to get to her feet—but he grabbed her by the hair.
"I'll show you what a real man is," he hissed. As he reached for his belt, Jade took the chance to slam her knee into his groin.
Elías collapsed to the ground, and she bolted for the door, only to find it locked. Her keys were still upstairs. She ran to the window to try and open it.
"Help! Please! Someone help me!" she screamed, pounding the glass.
She felt a vicious tug on her hair and hit the floor face-first.
"Stupid bitch!" he snarled, hitting her again and disorienting her. She barely registered the pain as he began tearing at her clothes—tears welled up in her eyes.
She kicked, scratched, squirmed, and fought, desperately trying to push his disgusting hands off her body, but he was too strong. Her resistance only earned her two more blows that knocked the strength out of her.
A loud crash suddenly froze everything.
Someone had broken down the door.