chapter 4
986 Words
Rose's POV
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The snowstorm howled outside, rattling the windows of my small apartment. The world outside was a blur of white, but all I could see were the words glowing on my phone screen:
"We should catch up, Rosie. So much to talk about. - A"
Angelo.
My stomach twisted as I set the phone down, my hands trembling. He was back. After five years, he was here, in Mayfield, acting like nothing had changed. Acting like he hadn't been the reason I'd destroyed everything that mattered to me.
I wrapped a blanket around myself, but it did little to chase away the chill creeping through me. Jack's words from earlier still echoed in my mind, sharp and unforgiving.
"You don't belong here, Rose. You never did."
He was right. I didn't.
---
Five Years Ago
The gymnasium was alive with the sounds of celebration-laughter, music, the chatter of excited students ready to leave high school behind. Streamers hung from the rafters, and the lights glittered off the balloons scattered across the floor. It should have been a night of joy, of promise.
But for me, it felt like a funeral.
"Rose."
My stepmother's voice cut through the noise like a whip. Margaret Bennett was always poised, always perfect, but tonight her expression was sharp, her eyes full of warning.
"Come here," she said, grabbing my wrist and pulling me away from the crowd. Her nails dug into my skin, her grip cold and unyielding.
I yanked my arm back. "What is it now?"
Margaret's smile was tight, her tone clipped. "You know what. Your father's business is crumbling. Angelo's family has the power to save us, but only if we prove we're worth their time. And that starts with you making the right choices tonight."
I swallowed hard. "This has nothing to do with me and Jack."
Margaret arched a perfectly sculpted brow. "It has everything to do with him. Jack Carter is a liability. A janitor's son? A boy with no future? You're throwing your life away for someone who can't even afford to take you anywhere."
"Jack has dreams," I said, my voice trembling. "He's going places."
Margaret's laugh was cold, biting. "Dreams don't pay bills, darling. And they certainly don't fix your father's debt. Angelo's family can. But only if you sever ties with that boy. Publicly."
Tears pricked my eyes. "Why does it have to be public?"
"Because Angelo wants a show," she said simply. "And you're going to give it to him. Or I will."
Her meaning was clear. If I didn't do what she wanted, she'd destroy Jack herself. The few opportunities he had, the slim chances he'd worked so hard for-she'd make sure they disappeared overnight.
I had no choice.
---
The gym lights glowed softly as the graduates danced and laughed, the air electric with excitement. Jack found me near the bleachers, his smile wide and easy as he wrapped an arm around my waist.
"There you are," he said, his voice warm and familiar. "I thought I lost you in the crowd."
I smiled back, trying to memorize the way his touch felt, the way his eyes lit up when he looked at me. This was the boy I loved-the boy I was about to break.
"What's wrong?" he asked, his brow furrowing as he studied my face. "You've been quiet all night."
"I..." My throat tightened, and I stepped out of his embrace. "We need to talk."
Jack frowned, his confusion immediate. "Okay. What's going on?"
I looked away, my hands shaking as I forced the words out. "I... I can't do this anymore."
His eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"I mean us," I said, my voice cold and detached. "We're over, Jack."
The hurt in his expression was like a knife to my chest, twisting with every second that passed.
"Why?" he asked, his voice breaking. "What did I do?"
"You didn't do anything," I lied, forcing my tone to harden. "But you and me? We're too different. You're a nobody, Jack. And I... I deserve more than this."
The silence that followed was deafening.
Jack stared at me, his face pale, his jaw tightening. "You don't mean that."
"Yes, I do," I said, even as my heart shattered into pieces. "We're done."
---
Before he could respond, Angelo appeared beside me, his arm slipping around my waist like he'd been waiting for his cue.
"Hey there, Rosie," he said, his tone smooth and mocking.
Jack's eyes darkened as he looked between us. "What the hell is this?"
I wanted to pull away, to run, but Margaret's watchful gaze stopped me.
Angelo leaned down, his lips brushing my ear as he whispered, "Smile for the crowd, darling."
And then he kissed me.
---
The room seemed to freeze as gasps and whispers filled the air. I could feel Jack's eyes on me, the weight of his heartbreak pressing down like a tidal wave.
When Angelo finally pulled away, his smirk was infuriatingly smug. "Not so bad, was it?"
I shoved him away, my tears blurring my vision as I turned and ran.
---
Present Day
The storm outside roared as I sat on the couch, staring at the text from Angelo. My chest ached, the memory of that night still fresh.
I'd shattered Jack's heart that night. And in doing so, I'd broken my own.
But I'd had no choice.
Angelo had gotten what he wanted, but it hadn't been enough. And now he was back, threatening to drag me back into the nightmare I'd barely escaped.
My phone buzzed again, another text flashing on the screen.
"See you soon, Rosie. You know where to find me. - A"
---
My hands shook as I set the phone down, my pulse racing. Angelo wasn't just here for Jack.
He still wanted me.
And I didn't know how to stop him this time.
- Writer
