Love's Dark Legacy

|Rose's Dilemma

James and Rose have also been hanging out for a while. Rose needed to know where she stood. Ever since she heard rumors where people were saying she was just a replacement for Herculeana. Though she find it hard to believe. What could she and herculeana possibly have in common.

The grand doors of James'  mansion creaked open as Rose stepped inside, her heart fluttering with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. The lavish space was more than she had ever known—ornate chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a soft, golden glow across the marble floors. Everything about the place screamed wealth and privilege. Yet, as she walked through the house, past expensive artwork and silent staff, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. Maybe it was warmth, or maybe it was James himself.

She found him in his room, lounging on his bed as if he didn't have a care in the world. His piercing eyes scanned her briefly before returning to his phone. Rose felt a pang of insecurity. She loved the way he looked at her sometimes, like she was the only one in the room. But now, that intensity was absent, and it made her doubt everything.

"Hey," she said softly, sitting at the edge of the bed. "Can we talk?"

James didn't bother looking up. "Talk about what?"

She hesitated. "About... us."

That got his attention. He glanced at her, his expression a mix of impatience and mild curiosity. "What about us?"

"I mean... are you interested in a relationship? We've been seeing each other for a while now, and I—"

James sighed, cutting her off. "Rose, you're sweet, but I think you're reading into things a bit too much." He was surprised and lowkey concerned that was the first thing she said, she literally just entered the house

Her chest tightened. "What do you mean? I thought we had something."

He chuckled, a sound that stung more than comforted. "We don't. You're fun, Rose, but I'm not looking for anything serious."

Rose's heart sank. She had been feeling things for James that she had never felt for anyone before. She thought maybe, just maybe, he could feel the same way. But the way he was speaking now... it shattered that hope.

"So you were just using me"

James leaned back against the headboard, his eyes fixed on her with an unsettling calmness. "Stop listening to what people are saying, we're together most the time, no? As I said I'm not looking for anything serious" he said casually. "That's all."

"What the fuck? Do you take me for a joke James" she slapped her head

He got up off the bed slightly pissed by her statement "we're here together now aren't we? What more do u want?"

"I just want to know that I'm not a substitute for someone else"she said

"Someone who?

"Herculeana."

The name felt like a knife to his chest. Of course. Herculeana. .

"So...I'm just some substitute for Herculeana?" she asked, her voice cracking.

James didn't bother to soften his words. "Ok fine, yeah and what now?"

Rose's breath hitched, tears welling in her eyes. "That's not fair, James. You can't just use me because you're not over her."

He shrugged, his indifference cutting deeper than any sharp word he could have used. "It's not personal, Rose. It's just the way it is."

Rose stood up, trying to hold back her tears. "I thought I meant something to you."