Found Obsession

Chapter 31: Rose's Anger

“Raven, is this you?” she asked, holding the picture up for him to see.

But her expression shifted when he harshly snatched the picture from her hands, his face darkening with emotions she couldn’t quite decipher. The air between them thickened with tension, and she instinctively shrinked, the weight of the moment pressing down on her.

Rose did not expect what came next.

“I have been patient, Rose! I’ve been locked in your house for hours, missing a day of work! I’ve tried my best to look after you, and all I’m asking is for you to respect my privacy!” Raven yelled, his frustration boiling over.

The sharpness of his words cut through her, leaving her momentarily speechless. She recoiled, a mix of shock and hurt flashing across her face. Raven’s anger felt like a slap, and for a heartbeat, she didn’t know how to respond.

Rose felt like he had overreacted but remained silent, stunned by his words. He was right; invading his privacy was wrong. In that moment, she realized how much of a burden she had become to others—not just as a friend, but as a colleague, as a girlfriend, and even as a daughter.

As a detective, the weight of her responsibilities had become overwhelming.

She looked down at the book in her hands, a symbol of the chaos she had stumbled into.

Raven took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady. “I’ll sleep on the couch. Try to get some sleep,” he said softly, pausing before adding, “Take my bed.”

Rose stood up, wincing at the movement. She hated the feeling of being a burden; she wouldn’t take his bed. Raven needed his space, his home.

“I think they’re gone,” she whispered, licking her lips nervously.

She inhaled deeply, trying to suppress the tears threatening to spill. “I’ll get going,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper as she handed the book back to Raven.

“I couldn’t sleep. I found the picture in here,” she attempted to smile, but it faltered, the weight of the day too heavy on her shoulders. “I’m sorry.”

As she walked toward the door, the chill of the room made her shiver.

“Rose,” Raven called out, trying to stop her, but the flood of tears escaped her control, and it was too embarrassing to face him. She hurried out without looking back, retreating to the safety of her own apartment.

Rose locked her door and stepped into her apartment, the familiar surroundings now feeling foreign and heavy. Everything was in its place—the couch was neatly arranged, her badge, keys, gun, and phone sat on the table, as if waiting for her to return to normalcy. But the stark reality was that they had erased any trace of the previous investigation, a haunting reminder of what had transpired.

She heaved a sob, feeling the weight of her guilt pressing down on her chest. It was suffocating, each breath a struggle as the memories of her fallen companions flooded her mind. Their faces swirled around her, a painful reminder of the lives lost and the choices that had led her to this moment.

Rose sank onto the couch, burying her face in her hands as the tears streamed down her cheeks. She felt like a burden, not only to Raven but to everyone she cared about. The guilt — her brief reunion with Riley, which now felt like a betrayal in the midst of chaos.

“Why couldn’t I save them?” she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her sorrow.

The silence of her apartment felt deafening, amplifying her anguish. The more she tried to hide from the pain, the more it consumed her.