A Ruin Of Roses (Used to be: My Mysterious Husband)

TWENTY-ONE

𝙲𝚘𝚛𝚔, 𝙸𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍, 𝟻:𝟸𝟻 𝙿.𝙼 𝙼𝙰𝚁 𝟹𝟶𝚝𝚑 𝟸𝟶𝟷𝟾
[𝙿.𝙾.𝚅 𝚁𝙾𝚂𝙴]

The atmosphere in the diner is suffocating, the air thick with fear and desperation. I can hear the undeniable cries from Sarah echoing through the otherwise silent space. Despite my best efforts, quiet sobs escape my throat, mirroring the terror that grips us all. My heart aches as I listen to the sounds of violence emanating from the back room, knowing that my friends are enduring unimaginable horrors.

Amidst the darkness, a cold voice pierces through, sending shivers down my spine. "Get that one," the leader snarls, pointing at Giselle. "I want this one for myself." His fingers dig into my chin, his touch rough and bruising. I squeeze my eyes shut, clinging desperately to the thin layer of hope that remains, praying for a miracle.

They drag Giselle away, leaving me alone with the merciless leader. Defiance wells up within me, and I find the strength to snap, "You won't get away with this." But my words are cut short as his hand finds my throat, squeezing relentlessly. His lips press roughly against mine, and I feel a wave of revulsion and terror wash over me. I fight back, refusing to succumb to his advances, knowing that help must be on the way. I can feel it deep within my bones, a silent assurance that keeps me going.

Suddenly, the deafening sound of crashing doors reverberates through the diner, and the storm doors are violently torn open. My heart leaps with hope, expecting to see the reassuring sight of police officers rushing in to save us. But what I see freezes the breath in my lungs.

Standing in the doorway is a group of men, their presence commanding and filled with an aura of danger. Dead center is Jaxon, his eyes dark with anger, a sight I never thought I'd witness. My mind reels in disbelief. Jaxon, the man I love, is part of this ominous group.

The leader pulls me close, a gun pressed against my temple. "I suggest you guys leave, or I'll put a bullet in her head," he growls, his voice laced with menace. Fear paralyzes me as I close my eyes, bracing for the worst. The room is filled with tension, the air heavy with the impending threat of violence.

Then, the deafening sound of a gunshot pierces the air, followed by another. Pain flares through me, and I stumble forward, Jaxon's grip finding me in the darkness. Everything blurs, my vision fading as I lose consciousness, the world around me slipping away into a terrifying void.

𝙲𝚘𝚛𝚔, 𝙸𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍, 𝟻:𝟸𝟻 𝙿.𝙼 𝙰𝙿𝚁 𝟸𝚗𝚍 𝟸𝟶𝟷𝟾
[𝙿.𝙾.𝚅 𝙹𝙰𝚇𝙾𝙽]

The weight of my secret has finally come crashing down, and the fear of what will happen next hangs heavy in the air. The surgery is over, and Michelle and Arin, two of my close friends and my finest doctors, step out together. I can't help but feel a sense of impending doom as they break the news.

"She's out of surgery," Michelle says, her voice filled with concern.

"And she wants to see you," Arin adds.

I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my chest. I can't delay the inevitable any longer. I stand and walk toward the room where she's recovering. As I step inside, our eyes lock, and I can see the mixture of emotions in her gaze.

"How long have you been in the Mafia?" she asks, her voice filled with trepidation.

I can't hide from the truth any longer. "Since I was sixteen," I admit, bracing for the storm of emotions I know is coming.

"I can't do this," she says, her voice breaking. "Did you know those guys?" Her eyes search mine, looking for answers.

"Sadly, yes," I sigh, my shoulders slumping.

"Are they after you?" she asks, her fear for our safety evident.

"Yes," I answer, not able to hide the truth from her any longer.

"I can't, Jaxon. I can't have Jayden mixed up in this. What if they went after him instead?" Her voice wavers, and tears fill her eyes. "I want to split up. I'm sorry, I can't..." She breaks down, her sobs racking her body. "I love you so much... But I want a divorce."

My heart shatters at her words, and I can't hold back my own tears. I've fallen so deeply in love with her, and now I'm losing her and Jayden all in one agonizing moment. I reach for her, and her fingers squeeze mine, holding on as if she never wants to let go.

"I love you, Jaxon," she says, her voice filled with pain. I lean down, our lips pressing together roughly, as if we're both eager to savor this last kiss.

"I'm sorry," I whisper as I pull away, my own tears streaming down my cheeks. "I'm trying to be a good guy here."

"I believe that," she says, her hands on my face. "You're amazing, Jaxon. But Jayden is my son, and I won't let anything like what happened to me come close to happening to him."

"I can't give up on them. They need me," I protest, my voice filled with desperation. "I saved them from abuse and neglect, and if I could keep you protected forever, I would."

"Don't worry about it," she says, her resolve unwavering.

"How can I not when you saved me?" I shout, my emotions spiraling out of control. "I need you so badly, and I don't know what I'll do without you."

She looks down, her pain evident, and finally, she admits, "I need you to go."

"Rose," I start, but she turns her head, our eyes locking once more. Her teary face grows sadder, and the weight of her decision presses on my chest.

"Go, please," she pleads, and I pause, struggling to say goodbye to the love of my life. With a heavy heart, I turn and walk away, leaving my heart in that room, knowing it's the only way I'll function without her, even though it feels like I'm leaving behind a piece of my soul.