Jason did not mention Ethan again.
That was what frightened Loraine the most.
The house returned to its false calm—soft music, warm meals, careful smiles. Jason laughed more than usual, touched her gently, spoke sweetly, as if nothing had happened. But his eyes never left her. Not when she ate. Not when she slept. Not even when she stared out the window for too long.
"You've been quiet," he said one evening, brushing her hair. "Are you unhappy with me?"
She forced a smile. "I'm fine."
He watched her closely. Too closely.
The Message
Two days later, the message came.
She was in the garden when her phone vibrated—Jason had allowed it back, a calculated mistake she would later understand.
Ethan:
Loraine. I don't know if this number still works. I saw your name in the city records. Are you okay? Please talk to me.
Her chest tightened.
She didn't reply.
But Jason saw her freeze.
"What is it?" he asked, stepping closer.
"Nothing," she said, slipping the phone into her pocket too fast.
He reached for it.
"No."
That single word detonated him.
Jason Breaks
"What did you just say?" he asked softly.
Her heart raced. "I said—"
His hand struck the wall beside her head, the sound violent and sudden. She screamed.
"I warned you," he snarled. "I warned you about lying to me."
He yanked the phone from her pocket and read the message.
Ethan.
Again.
Something in Jason's eyes went dead.
He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her inside, not caring that the staff watched. He shoved her into the living room and threw the phone across the floor, smashing it.
"Why does he still exist to you?" Jason shouted. "Why do you keep holding onto him?"
"I didn't reply!" she cried. "I swear I didn't!"
He slapped her.
Harder this time.
She fell to the floor, stunned, ears ringing.
The room went silent.
Jason stared at her like he had just woken from a nightmare.
"Oh God," he whispered. "No. No—mine, look at me—"
He dropped beside her immediately, hands shaking. "I didn't mean that. I didn't. I just saw his name and everything went black."
She sobbed, curling inward.
"I'm sorry," he begged. "I'll never touch you in anger again. Never. Please don't look at me like I'm a monster."
Her voice came out broken.
"You're hurting me."
That shattered him.
Control Tightens
That night, the guards doubled.
The gates stayed shut.
Jason canceled meetings. He stayed home—always home. Watching. Waiting.
"You don't need the outside world," he told her gently. "It poisons you. It brings him back."
When she tried to argue, he grabbed her wrist too tightly.
"Don't," he warned. "Don't make me angry again."
She stopped speaking after that.
Ethan Pushes Closer
But Ethan didn't stop.
A letter arrived the next day.
Jason opened it.
Loraine watched his face as he read it—and realized too late what she had done by ever keeping her past alive.
Jason smiled.
It was the most terrifying thing she had ever seen.
"He's looking for you," Jason said calmly. "He thinks you need saving."
Her blood ran cold. "Jason… please…"
Jason leaned down, gripping her chin hard enough to hurt. "You are not lost," he said. "You are mine."
He released her suddenly and stood. "And I will make sure he understands that."
Questions Growing Louder
Will Ethan come to the house?
What will Jason do if he does?
How many apologies can follow violence before they mean nothing?
And if Jason is already breaking like this—
what happens when the locked door can no longer stay closed?