Loraine heard the shouting before she saw anything.
It came from beyond the iron gates—raised voices, confusion, the sharp sound of guards moving too fast. Her heart leapt painfully in her chest, a feeling she hadn't felt in a long time.
Hope.
She rushed to the balcony.
And there he was.
Ethan stood outside the gates, clothes rumpled, hands raised as he argued with the guards. His face looked thinner than she remembered, but his eyes—those were the same. Familiar. Real.
Alive.
"Loraine!" he shouted when he saw her. "Loraine, are you in there?"
Her breath caught. Tears sprang instantly to her eyes.
Jason appeared beside her without a sound.
His arm slipped around her waist possessively, fingers digging in just enough to remind her he was there.
"So," he said pleasantly. "That's him."
Jason Smiles
"Jason, please," she whispered. "Let me talk to him. Just talk."
Jason chuckled softly. "Of course, mine. Why wouldn't I?" He raised his voice toward the gates. "Tell your guards to let him speak."
The guards hesitated, confused by Jason's calm tone, but obeyed.
Ethan stepped closer, relief flooding his face when he saw her clearly. "Loraine… thank God. I've been trying to reach you for weeks. You disappeared."
"I'm here," she cried. "I'm okay."
Jason squeezed her waist tighter.
Ethan's eyes flicked to Jason's hand. "Are you?" he asked carefully. "Because you don't look okay."
Jason laughed again. "I assure you, she's perfectly fine. Aren't you, love?"
She nodded stiffly.
Ethan frowned. "You don't have to stay here if you don't want to," he said gently. "Come with me. We can go anywhere."
The air shifted.
Jason's smile never left his face—but something dark passed behind his eyes.
The Lie
"That's very kind of you," Jason said smoothly. "But you're mistaken. Loraine is my wife. She chose this life."
Ethan stepped forward. "Then let her say it. Let her say she wants to stay."
Jason turned to her, eyes boring into hers. "Go on, mine."
Her lips trembled.
"I… I want to stay," she whispered.
Ethan's face fell.
Jason leaned down and kissed her forehead tenderly, for everyone to see. "See? Nothing to worry about."
But when he spoke into her ear, his voice dropped.
You will pay for this later.
After the Gates Close
That night, Jason was gentle.
Too gentle.
He brushed her hair. Fed her with his own hands. Held her like something fragile.
"I know seeing him upset you," he murmured. "I forgive you for that."
Forgive.
Her stomach twisted.
"I'm not angry," he continued softly. "But he won't bother us again. I promise."
She looked up at him. "What do you mean?"
Jason smiled. "Go to sleep, mine."
Cruelty Unfolds
The next morning, the house was buzzing.
Jason was calm. Focused. Dangerous.
He dressed in black.
"You're going out?" she asked quietly.
"Yes," he said, buttoning his cuffs. "To clean up a misunderstanding."
Fear crawled up her spine. "Jason… don't hurt him."
Jason paused.
Then he walked over and cupped her face—gentle, almost loving.
"I would never hurt someone you care about," he said softly.
It was a lie.
The Consequence
That evening, the guards dragged Ethan into the courtyard.
Blood streaked his lip. His hands were bound.
Loraine screamed.
Jason followed behind him slowly, calmly, like a king inspecting a captured enemy.
"I told you," Jason said to Ethan, "that she is not lost."
Ethan glared at him. "You're sick," he spat. "She's terrified of you."
Jason turned—and slapped Ethan so hard he fell.
Loraine sobbed. "Jason, stop! Please!"
Jason turned to her, eyes burning. "This," he said coldly, "is what happens when people try to take what is mine."
He ordered the guards to throw Ethan out—bruised, bleeding, and broken—but alive.
"Leave," Jason told him. "And if you ever come back… I won't be this kind."
Aftermath
That night, Jason locked the doors.
Not her room.
The entire house.
He held her tightly as she cried, rocking her slowly.
"I did this for us," he whispered. "So we can be safe."
She didn't answer.
Her silence pleased him.
Questions Growing Darker
If Jason lies this easily, what truth remains?
What happens next time someone comes for her?
How far will he go to erase her past?
And when his cruelty no longer needs excuses—
who will be left to stop him?