Jade
Before I can process the weight of anything my mother just said, the door behind her swings open, all of our heads turn in the direction, and in walks a man I thought I'd never see again in my life.
My father.
The original designer of the nightmare I've lived through for years, the puppet master of my life, the man I thought I watched take his last breath in front of my eyes years ago is somehow here.
Alive.
My mouth falls open and my heart stalls in my chest like a bad engine. There's no way I'm seeing what I think I am. His presence alone sends chills down my spine.
I've never been one to fear anything or anyone, but he comes pretty close to being the first on that list. He's ruthless. I can't even believe this is happening.
The revelation that my own mother has been orchestrating everything behind the scenes is insane. I can't even wrap my head around it.
Her insistence on dragging me back into the dangerous life I fought like hell to escape is devastating.
And my father suddenly showing up here when he was supposed to be dead is the final nail in the coffin.
As we all look at him, the whole room is dead silent. You could hear a paper towel fall in here.
"Jade, you look like you've seen a ghost," my mother smirks.
Because I have. I am. I'm looking at one right now. He's supposed to be dead. How the hell is he standing here? I don't know what this is, but I know it's not good.
"What—" I start, but can't even get the rest of my words out.
"Well, isn't this a cozy little family reunion," my father says with a smirk that makes my blood run cold, then he turns his attention to me and Perrie. "Long time no see, daughter. Why don't you come over here and give your old man a hug?"
Perrie clings to me with fear in her eyes, and I instinctively pull her behind me, blocking her from his view. Her chest is to my back, and I can feel her heartbeat racing like mine. We're all stunned.
"Y-You're alive?" Kai almost whispers, the fear evident in his voice. "What the hell is going on?"
My father just stands there, his cold brown eyes cutting through the room as he steps fully inside and looks at all of us. His presence is heavy and commanding and intimidating, just like it always has been. It's like he never even left.
But how? I don't understand how he's standing here right now. My memories of that day are very fuzzy, but I do know I shot him. He was dead. I know he was.
"I don't understand," I say, my voice shaky. "You... you died. I watched you die. I—"
"You, what? Killed me? Oh, Jade, you always were a bit naive," he replies, his voice both calm and condescending. "But things are rarely as they seem."
"How? W-Why?" I stammer, trying to piece together the impossible puzzle standing in front of me.
"You thought it was over, but this game never really ends, daughter. Not until I say it does." His gaze shifts to my mother. "And your mother has been keeping everything in check while I was... away."
My mother nods, a strange, satisfied look on her face. All of this is so fucking weird.
"It's time to bring things back under control. We need to lay out the new ground rules." She adds.
"What new ground rules?" I ask, my voice steady despite the fear bubbling up inside of me.
"Simple," my father replies, stepping closer, causing me to instinctively take a step back and push Perrie back with me. "You work for us again, Jade. You and your brother now. And don't even try to refuse, because if you do, I'll personally make sure you and everyone you love suffers."
