𝔅𝔬𝔯𝔫 𝔱𝔬 𝔡𝔦𝔢 - Rafe Cameron

②④

...

Jazmine made her way to the Carrera house, a mix of anger and sadness churning in her chest. She wasn't sure what seeing Kiara one last time would achieve, but she needed closure. As she arrived in front of the large house, she paused to take it in. Unlike the small, worn-down home they'd once shared in Barbados, this house was grand and bright, complete with a porch swing. It was the picture-perfect family home her father had always talked about. Here, he'd built the life he'd dreamed of, far from the broken pieces they'd left behind.

The front door opened, and a woman stepped out, looking sternly at Jazmine.

"Hi, I—"

"I know who you are. What do you want?" Anna interrupted, her tone sharp.

Jazmine swallowed, feeling a pang of discomfort. "I'm sorry to bother you. I just... I need to see Kiara. I need to give her something."

Just then, Mike appeared on the porch, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. "What do you want, Jazmine?"

She stood her ground. "Just to see Kiara. Please."

"And why would that be?" Mike's tone was skeptical, clearly unimpressed.

"I just need to see her," Jazmine said, clenching her fists to steady herself. "Please, let me in."

Mike looked ready to refuse, but Anna placed a hand on his arm, softening her gaze slightly. "Come on in, if you must."

With a quick, grateful nod, Jazmine stepped inside. The house's warmth surrounded her—soft lighting, cozy furnishings, and photos lining the walls. She spotted snapshots from Kiara's childhood, family vacations, even a wedding photo. All these pieces of life she'd missed.

"Don't steal anything," Mike muttered, disdain dripping from his voice.

Jazmine scoffed. "Really? You think I'm here to rob you?"

Mike's eyes narrowed. "Considering your family's reputation, you never know."

She shot him a hard look. "Funny to hear you bring them up. Thought you'd erased all memory of them."

He shrugged dismissively. "Some things stick."

Jazmine looked around the room. "Nice place you've got here."

Anna offered a tight nod. "Thank you, Jazmine."

"You remember that tiny place we had? Practically falling apart, but... you and Mom made it feel like home. You two slept in the living room so I could have the only bedroom. You even covered my walls with cartoon posters, saying it'd make me feel like a princess." Her voice tightened. "You said we'd have a big house one day, once you opened that restaurant you always talked about. Guess you got your dream. Too bad I wasn't part of it."

Mike's jaw clenched, his voice low. "That's all in the past, Jazmine."

She nodded, hiding the hurt. "Wish I could say the same."

Mike looked at her suspiciously. "If you're here out of jealousy, just because Kiara has something you didn't, then—"

"Jealousy?" Jazmine let out a bitter laugh. "What kind of sister would be jealous of her own little sister? This isn't about Kiara."

Her voice softened, the anger in her eyes dampening a little. "I just need to see her. I have a ferry to catch."

Mike's face hardened as he glanced at Anna, then back at Jazmine. "She's gone."

Jazmine's heart dropped. "Gone? That's impossible. I saw her this morning. Where did she go?"

Mike looked uneasy, gesturing for Anna to step out of the room. "We... we sent her to a facility."