Chapter 23
Audrey screamed as she was dragged from the wedding chapel, kicking and sobbing, her face streaked with tears and smeared lipstick. Her hair clung to her cheeks, and blood–Jared’s blood–still stained her hands. The guests backed away, horrified, as security escorted her outside and into the police car.
But Roscoe wasn’t satisfied.\
No. She had crossed a line that forgiveness would never reach.
While the world focused on Jared bleeding at the altar, Roscoe’s men were already moving.
The car never reached the precinct.
Halfway there, the vehicle was intercepted, and the uniformed officers suddenly vanished–replaced by men in black who worked only for Roscoe Smith.
Audrey screamed again as she was pulled into a windowless van, blindfolded, bound, and taken to a remote estate far from the city. There, she was thrown into a locked room–no windows, concrete walls, only a single chair in the center.
Time became a blur. She didn’t know how long she’d been there–only that the silence was deafening, and the fear slowly gave way to hysteria.
She was starved of sleep. Of light. Of answers.}
Until a voice finally came.
“You tried to kill the future Mrs. Smith.”
She looked up, trembling, tears streaming down her cheeks. “W–who are you? Please…“}
“You don’t get to ask questions,” the voice said. “But if you must know…”
A light flickered on.
And Roscoe stood before her, his face unreadable. Cold.
Audrey gasped.§
“You?” she breathed. “No–no, please. Please, I didn’t mean to–“>
“You aimed a gun at my bride,” he said quietly. “And now, I want you to remember what fear really feels like.“>
She dropped to her knees. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I wasn’t thinking–I was hurt, I lost everything–please, I didn’t mean to shoot her!“}
“You did,” he said. “You meant to ruin her.“}
“I loved them!” she sobbed. “They ieft me! I didn’t know what else to do!“}
Roscoe knelt beside her, his voice like ice. “Then now you know what it’s like to be forgotten.“}
She shook, collapsed at his feet. “Please… don’t kill me…”
He stood again. “You’re not worth killing.”
She looked up, confused.
“I’m sending you far away. My men will escort you to a facility. Quiet. Remote. Your mother will be there too. You’ll have food, clothes, space. But you’ll never step foot near us again.”
She wailed, begging, grasping at his pant leg–but his men pulled her away!
“You don’t get to scream anymore,” Roscoe said as he walked out. “You’ve screamed enough.“}
That night, Roscoe returned to the estate.
The first thing he heard was Maureen crying in her sleep.
He rushed into the bedroom.2
She was thrashing beneath the sheets, hands clenched, tears slipping from beneath her lashes.
“No, no–Roscoe–don’t go–please–“%
He slid into bed beside her and pulled her into his arms.
“I’m here,” he whispered, brushing her hair back. “I’m not going anywhere.”
She woke with a startled gasp, eyes red and frantic. “The gun–she-”
“It’s over,” he said softly. “She’s gone.”
Maureen broke again, burying her face in his chest. “I was so scared…”
“I know,” he said, holding her tighter. “You don’t have to be anymore. I promise–I’ll never let her near you again.“%
She cried until she fell asleep in his arms.
And this time, her dreams were quiet £
At the hospital, Jared lay pale and still, bandages wrapped tightly around his chest. Machines beeped softly beside him. Jackson hadn’t left his side for hours
The bullet had missed his heart–but barely
Jackson sat hunched in the chair, his head in his hands.E
“I thought you were going to die,” he whispered
Then–a soft groan
2:15 PM
Jared’s eyes fluttered open.
Jackson shot up. “Jared?“}
He blinked slowly, grimacing in pain. “Where…?“}
“You’re in the hospital,” Jackson said, voice cracking. “You’re okay. We almost lost you.“>
Jared swallowed. “Maureen?“}
Jackson shook his head. “She’s fine. Roscoe protected her. It’s… all over now.“>
Jared’s eyes closed briefly in relief. “Good. I’d rather get shot a hundred times than let her get hurt again.“”
Jackson sat beside him. “You saved her life.“}
A long silence.}
“She’ll never forgive us,” Jared said quietly. “She shouldn’t.“}
Jackson exhaled. “Maybe it’s time we let her go.“}
Jared stared at the ceiling, pain flickering across his face. “I don’t know how.“>
“We do it by being happy for her,” Jackson said. “Even if it hurts.“}
Jared didn’t answer for a long time.”
Then finally, he gave a single, small nod–one filled with grief, acceptance, and quiet surrender.
213 PM
6
