Rhythm of Heartbreak

Chapter 41: Echoes of Redemption

Jess felt her legs steady enough and rose, the weight of the day still heavy on her. She adjusted her black dress, which seemed to barely cover her grief, and whispered, "Have a safe journey, Mom. I'll see you someday."

Turning away from the grave site, she walked to where Rick waited. He stepped out of the car and opened his arms. Jess moved into his embrace, finding comfort in the warmth of his hug. They held each other in silence for a moment, letting the connection offer some relief from her pain.

Suddenly, Jess felt weak and collapsed. Rick quickly caught her and noticed she had a high fever. He gently placed her in the back seat of his car and drove to her apartment, worried as he drove. Jess hadn't been eating or sleeping well since her mother's death, and her refusal to eat made Rick even more concerned.

At the beach house, Rick carefully carried Jess inside and put her in bed. He touched her forehead, feeling the heat. He searched the house for a cooling pad and some medicine, then helped her take it.

"Jess, you're really sick. You need to drink this," he said softly.

Jess only managed a weak groan in response. After giving her the medicine, Rick covered her with another blanket and sat beside her, feeling heartbroken. Watching her suffer was hard for him.

Rick thought about why he had come to the beach house. He had wanted to see if he could really forget Jess. But seeing her in pain made him stay. He stroked her hair and kissed her cheek, saying, "I miss you so much."

Just as he was about to kiss her lips, the bedroom door opened, and Shaun stood there, looking shocked. Rick's expression turned serious.

"Shaun Hays, what are you doing here?" Rick's voice was tense.

"I'm not here for you, Rick," Shaun said, his voice pleading.

Rick was surprised by Shaun's tone. "Let's go outside. Jess needs to rest. You and I need to talk."

Shaun looked at Jess one last time before following Rick to the balcony. They sat in wooden chairs under the trees, the calm ocean contrasting with their tense conversation.

"Why are you here?" Rick asked bluntly.

Shaun sighed. "I heard about Kris. Jess called me, but I was on tour. I wanted to be here as soon as I could."

Rick was not interested in Shaun's reasons but saw that he genuinely cared about Jess. "Was it you, Shaun?" Rick asked, directly addressing his suspicions.

Shaun hesitated, then spoke. "I've always resented you, thinking you had an easy life because of your name. My life has been tough, full of discrimination. I let jealousy blind me, and those feelings grew because you were with Jess." His voice was raw.

Rick listened quietly, letting Shaun's words settle. A small smirk appeared as he saw Shaun's pain. "I wish my life had been easy, but it hasn't been," Rick said. "My past has been full of tragedy. What you did, showing it to the world, only made me hate my life more."

Shaun swallowed, realizing the damage he had done. "I'm sorry, Rick. I was wrong, and I've hurt Jessie too."

Rick sighed deeply. "I've hurt her too," he admitted. "I blamed Jess for things that weren't her fault. My anger was misplaced."

Shaun looked shocked as Rick continued, "Music has been my escape, saving me more times than I can count. But now, I'm willing to give it up for Jess. I want to be better for her. I love her more than I ever imagined." He looked at Shaun with determination. "You can have my spot in the music industry, but I won't give Jess up for you," he said firmly.

Shaun looked away, accepting Rick's claim with a mix of resignation and acceptance. "I know she loves you too. She always did." He paused, then stood. "Take care of her, Rick. I believe you can love her better than I ever could." Shaun closed his eyes tightly and added. "She loves home-cooked meals and pasta. Make sure she eats properly. I'm glad you're here for her. Thank you."

Rick extended his hand. "I will." The handshake was firm, a silent promise of protection and care.

Shaun turned away from Rick and walked back toward the beach house, his heart lighter than it had been in days. The weight of guilt and regret that had been gnawing at him seemed to lift slightly. He knew he had to confront his past and make amends, and today, he had taken a step in that direction.

Entering the beach house, he made his way to Jess's bedroom one last time. He looked at her, peaceful and still, and felt a pang of sadness. He whispered, "I'm sorry for your loss, Jess. I hope you'll find happiness again. You'll always be family to me. I love you."

With a gentle kiss on her cheek and one final, lingering glance, Shaun left the room. He grabbed his bag and walked out of the house, his footsteps steady. As he reached his car, he took a deep breath and paused before starting the ignition.

The engine roared to life, and Shaun felt a strange mix of relief and resolve. He drove away, the sunlight dancing on the water and the vibrant blue sky stretching out before him. The scenic beauty seemed to mirror the new sense of freedom he felt inside.

Shaun tightened his grip on the steering wheel, his thoughts drifting back to Rick's words. Rick wanted to be better, not just for Jess, but for himself. Shaun realized that he, too, was ready to embrace change and seek a better path for himself. As he drove toward the horizon, he felt a sweet sense of liberation, knowing he was finally ready to face his future with renewed purpose.