Love's Dark Legacy

Delicate

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Rose paced back and forth in her room, her mother and brother eventually leaving her alone, her phone in hand, tears streaming down her face. Her brother's words had torn into her, and her mind was racing with everything that had been said. She couldn't believe James had put her in this position, making her family question her, making her feel like she was nothing but a toy in his life.

She dialed James' number, her hands trembling. He answered after a few rings.

"James," she choked out, her voice heavy with emotion.

"Yes Rose," he said a bit quieter than usual, he sounded slouchy and tired

"I can't believe you said those things to my brother oh my fucking God!"

James stayed silent for a moment, his voice calm but distant. Turning down the volume of his phone, he was with one of his old classmates, Taylor, he just needed a quick fuck, something to get his mind off things, they dated for a while when they were in high school
"Rose, what are you on about?—"

"Don't play fucking dumb with me" she snapped, her sobs breaking through. "You made my brother think I'm stupid? You made him think I'm just some girl you're using? Do you even care about me at all?"

He sighed on the other end, but Rose could feel his detachment. It made her angrier. "You don't understand what this has done to me, James. I'm humiliated! And you... you won't even defend me properly. What am I supposed to do? Stay here and just accept it?"

James' voice grew quiet. "Rose, I—"

"Who are you talking to on the phone baby" a sleepy voice was heard in the background

"Oh my f- " she cut him off, her voice rising in frustration. "I'm done! I'm done with your bullshit."

Her breathing quickened as she grabbed her keys from the bedside table. "Maybe going to your father's place and trashing your fucking car will show you how I fucking feel"

The line went cold for a second. Then James' voice changed. Sharper. Colder. "Don't. Do. Anything. Stupid."

Rose stopped in her tracks, her heart pounding. "What? I'm tired of this. I'll go to his house. I'll—"

"No," James interrupted firmly, his voice taking on a darker edge. "No Rose, just wait ok I'll come meet you somewhere just tell me where, we can talk about this. Stay away from my father's house. You don't know what you're walking into."

She hung up.

Rose stared at her phone, her chest heaving in frustration and sadness. She couldn't take it anymore. Before she could think about it, her feet were already moving, carrying her to her car. She drove to his father's house, her anger clouding her judgment.

---

When James pulled up to his father's grand estate, his heart sank at the sight of Rose's car parked in the driveway. He cursed under his breath and hurried inside. His father's house had always felt like a prison to him—cold, imposing, and filled with dark secrets he wished he could forget.

As soon as he stepped into the foyer, he saw her. Rose was standing in the center of the room, tears streaking her face, her fists clenched at her sides.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" James barked, his frustration mixing with panic. "I told you not to come here." He went to her and grabbed her hand

"I couldn't just sit around anymore!" she yelled, her voice cracking, pulling her arm away from his "You treat me like I'm nothing. I'm so tired of feeling like this, James. I'm tired of feeling like I don't matter."