Rhythm of Heartbreak

Chapter 36: Shattered Reflections

"How did you find me?" Rick asked calmly, though his voice betrayed the turmoil within.

Jess hesitated, her mind racing. "Ahhh, well... Bennie and Alexander figured you might be here," she stammered, keeping her eyes on his face.

She saw the dark circles under his eyes and felt a pang of sympathy. She wanted to rush to him, to offer comfort.

"Rick, I—" She began, but he cut her off with a harsh look.

"Have you read the news?" His voice had a sharp edge.

Jess nodded, her heart sinking.

"Is that why you left? Because you were disgusted by my past?" he asked, anger clear in his tone.

The realization hit Jess hard. Was that how it seemed when she stormed out of his house?

"Rick, we need to talk. I have something important to explain," she said, her voice trembling.

Rick closed the distance between them quickly, his presence making Jess feel small. This wasn't the Rick she knew; he was hardened now, his eyes cold.

"So, you found out about my mother and it pushed you away," Rick said, his voice booming.

Without warning, he reached out, his hand brushing her hair gently. He moved closer, his lips near her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. His touch was both tender and invasive as he undid her sleeves, exposing her undergarment. His lips found hers, his kiss overwhelming.

His actions were swift and intense. In moments, her clothes were discarded, and she was left exposed, her senses overwhelmed by his desire. Rick's touch was relentless, his body a fierce presence. Jess's pleas were swallowed by gasps and moans as he took her from behind, the experience raw and unrestrained.

This wasn't making love; it was pure, unfiltered lust. Jess felt a fiery passion as her heart raced with Rick's frantic movements. In the villa's privacy, every kiss and touch was intense, leaving Jess breathless.

When Rick finally withdrew, he dressed and retreated to a corner, his expression unreadable. Jess felt vulnerable as she scrambled for her clothes, her ego bruised by his sudden departure.

"Rick, are you mad at me? Did you do this to belittle me? Did it make you happy?" she asked, her voice choked with emotion.

He looked away, frustration evident. "I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at myself. My past is a shadow I can't escape," he said, his voice filled with self-loathing.

Jess moved closer, touching his face gently. "Look at me," she pleaded. When he met her eyes, she continued, "Your past isn't the only reason I left. There's more you need to know."

She took a deep breath. "I told you I never met my father, that he left my mom when she was pregnant. I saw a picture of him recently. I had to learn more, and it turns out..."

Her voice faltered, but she pushed on. "Rick, I'm the daughter of Adam Logan."

The shock on Rick's face was clear, his anger turning to deep despair. Jess watched in fear as he pushed her away, his pain and rage pouring out.

"You're the family my mother was kept from," Rick said, his voice a dangerous growl.

Jess's heart raced as she processed his words. "Do you know how much my mother suffered because of your father?" Rick's voice was raw. "She was obsessed with Adam. She wanted a family with him, but she couldn't have more children. Seeing your mother pregnant with his child shattered her."

Rick's revelation hit Jess hard. The weight of his mother's suffering and the tragedy that followed was almost unbearable.

"Do you know why I know all this?" Rick's voice cracked with pain. "My mother told me while she was dying. She died in front of me, and I was left with the blood of both Adam and my mother."

"No..." Jess whispered, unable to believe it.

"I lay there, helpless," Rick said, his voice broken.

Jess's heart shattered. She wanted to comfort him but he raised his hand, stopping her.

"Don't come closer. I don't want to see you again. Your father ruined everything for me," Rick said, his voice final.

With one last pained look, Rick stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Jess was left alone, her heart aching with his pain. She cried, feeling the weight of their shared history. Even though she had no part in her father's sins, she felt responsible.

As she gathered her clothes, she clung to the shirt Rick had given her, a bittersweet reminder of their time together. It was the last piece of him she had, a memory of their love amidst the ruins of their fractured history.

Afterwards, Jess felt like she was living in a daze. Each day, she went through the motions of work, but her spirit felt numb. She moved mechanically, her thoughts lost in a fog.

The scandal exploded, painting her as a schemer seeking revenge for her father against Rick. The media frenzy was relentless, turning her into a sensation she never wanted. While some showed sympathy, most responses were filled with hatred and venom.

Jess's mind was overwhelmed not just by the gossip but by the deep pain from the villa incident. Death threats and trolling flooded her social media, but the external chaos was nothing compared to her inner torment. Her cold stare hid a profound agony that threatened to consume her.

She repeated the words "Come what may" like a mantra, but they brought no comfort. The knock on her door broke through her despair. When she opened it, she felt indifferent to whatever danger might be on the other side.

"Jessie..." Shaun's face appeared, filled with guilt and sadness. He embraced her tightly, and when he pulled back, his eyes met hers.

Jess's gaze revealed her deep suffering—hurt, buried emotions, and a slowly unraveling spirit. Shaun could see it clearly—she was on the edge, struggling between losing herself completely or finding a way back.