Ultraviolet

Chapter Sixty-One: War of the Worlds

Jess was not in the optimal mood for the conversation I was planning. She was stomping back and forth across the room. Ranting in what sounded like Spanish- I had no clue she even spoke another language, but right now she sounded fluent.

"Whats going on?" Hadeon asked a calmer Jack, who was at the dining table staring at his wife.

Jess's eyes snapped to us, only rust realising we were in the room.

"Maybe I should be asking you that!" She fumed. I saw Hadeon's shoulders tense form the corner of my eye and we both had the same fear.

Jess stormed up to Hadeon and grabbed him by the ear to drag him into the living room. She dumped him in the couch and he just sighed.

"One rule!" She screamed. "One fucking rule."

"What rule?" I asked, feigning naivety. This was something I wanted to yell about.

"Violet, stay out of-" I cut her off.

"No, tell me what the rule is."

"Don't turn this against me." She warned before turning back to Hadeon. "I told all the guys, my sister: off limits!"

"I'm sorry, Jess." He said sincerely. "But you know I didn't do this just to spite you. I like Violet, and I'm not going to apologise for that. All I regret is not being honest about it."

Hadeon was calm and collected, almost like he'd rehearsed this.

"I'm not sorry." I shot, crossing my arms across my chest. "You had no right to make any rules relating to my dating life."

"Violet, leave!" She shouted.

"No! I'm not leaving without Hadeon."

"Violet..." Hadeon tried.

I walked over and took a seat next to my boyfriend, taking his hand in mine.

"Violet, you aren't in trouble here." Jess sighed frustrated.

"Why not! This was my choice too. You keep acting like Hadeon seduced me or something." I laughed. "We are both adults-"

"You are eighteen!"

"A legal adult."

"Fine!" She jabbed. "Then move out, the both of you. Find your own place because this-" She pointed between the two of us. "It isn't happening under my roof."

Jess then stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door on her way out. I turned to Jack, who had been watching silently this whole time.

"Why is this such an issue for her?!" I demanded.

Jack stared at the door Jess had left out of, contemplating for a moment, before answering.

"To both of you, she is your only family." He said. "She likes you both relying on her, it makes her feel useful. Needed."

Hadeon and I turned to each other. I had never thought of Hadeon as relying on anyone. I thought his relationship with Jess was for her benefit. Hadeon needed Jess as much as I did.

"If I had to guess, I think she's scared if you two have each other, you won't need her. And if it doesn't work out, then you both end up alone."

"But... that doesn't explain the rule. Telling all the guys that I'm off limits. Why not just tell Hadeon?"

"I made up that rule." Jack admitted. "Originally she didn't see an issue with any of the guys dating you, including Hadeon."

Hadeon's hand twitched in mine before he dropped it and stood up. "What?" He asked sternly, fists balled at his sides. "You did this?!"

Jack nodded, either completely oblivious to the anger radiating off of Hadeon or having already accepted his fate.

"I told you how I felt about her. I told you how much it was killing me not to tell her."

A blush crept up my neck and I cursed my body. This was not the time.

Jack stood up from the dining table. "You don't know how miserable Jess is being a part of this life."

Something flickered behind Jack's eyes. I could feel how much saying that hurt.

"I love Jess, and she knows I do. But she will always be second to Adrianna. When Adrianna calls, I drop everything and go, and you are the same, Hadeon."

"Jess knows that. Violet knows that. What we do helps people, so it's worth it."

"No, it's not." Jack murmured. "I can't get out. Adrianna won't let me. And Jess is worse for it. You certainly couldn't leave, you're more valuable than I am. I don't want to see you end up like her, Violet."