Broken Series Book 2: LOVE ONCE DIED💔

🌹CHAPTER FIVE🌹

Jared's POV

I sat on the edge of his bed, legs spread confidently, while my gaze wandered across the small, cluttered room. I couldn't help but smile to myself as I recounted the many women who had fallen under my spell.

It didn't matter to me who they were-young, old, wealthy, or struggling. they were all the same in his eyes: distractions to fuel my ego.

It had been two weeks since Natasha moved in. She was quiet and kept to herself mostly, but her presence began to gnaw at me in ways he couldn't ignore.

That afternoon, she returned from classes, dressed in a casual sundress that clung to her form in ways my eyes lingered on for too long. she greeted me with a nod, her expression unreadable. she seemed unaware-or perhaps indifferent-to my attention.

"Long day?" I asked, leaning against the doorway as Natasha moved about the kitchen.

"Yeah," she mumbled, focusing on the task at hand.

She hadn't yet noticed the weight of my gaze on her, but I found satisfaction in knowing I could make her uncomfortable without even touching her.

"You know," I began, voice dripping with arrogance, "you don't have to be so distant, natasha. we're living together, after all. family, right?"

She shot me a glance but didn't respond, her movements were becoming more rigid.

My smirk grew, I enjoyed the power I had in making her uneasy. "What's the deal, anyway? you act like i'm a stranger. we should loosen up."

I stepped closer, leaning casually against the counter as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Natasha stopped chopping the vegetables and looked up at me. her eyes narrowed, searching for some meaning in my words, but she wasn't naive.

I on the other hand, sensing her discomfort, reached out and grabbed a slice of the tomato she was cutting, bringing it to my mouth.

"This... isn't half bad," I said, letting his fingers purposely brush against hers briefly as I handed her the knife back. I only wanted to make her more uncomfortable, so she would complain to dad and he her own place.

She stiffened, pulling away instinctively. "I'm tired, Jared. I'm going to bed."

She turned to leave, but I caught her wrist gently. The touch was light, yet firm enough to halt her in her tracks. "No need to be so cold, Natasha," I said, my voice dropping to a near whisper. "we're just having a conversation."

She yanked her hand free and walked quickly to her room, closing the door behind her. I watched her retreat, a sinister grin playing on my lips.

This was just the beginning. I had a way of breaking down defenses, and Natasha's were no exception.

(A FEW DAYS LATER)

I stood in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, scrolling mindlessly on my phone. The air was quiet except for the low hum of the refrigerator.

Natasha walked in, her presence filling the room without a word. She was wearing some oversized brown Amiri hoodie, the sleeves were too long, making her look smaller than she actually was.

She ignored me at first, heading straight for the cabinet to grab a glass.

I didn't bother looking up from my phone until she accidentally bumped into the counter, cursing under her breath.

"You know, you're way too clumsy for a university student," I muttered, half-joking, half-annoyed.

She shot me a glare as she filled her glass with water. "I'm not here to impress you, Jared."