In This Game, You Can't Hold On To Everything. Love, Loyalty—It Don't Mean Shit When The Streets Are Watchin'. You Make Choices, & Sometimes They Burn Everything Down. If I Lose Her, I Lose Her. But I Ain't Losing This War. Not Now, Not Ever.
- 𝒥uan Collins
ILLMATIC II.
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𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐂 II| VOLUME TWO. ❝ THEY'RE COMING FOR YOU ❞ [ HARLEM, NY ]
The moment felt dreamlike, as if time had slowed just for them, casting a quiet, magnetic pull on everyone in the circle. Roki's gaze drifted slowly between Jade and Juan, who locked eyes with a shared, profound intensity. There was sorrow in Jade's look—a depth of feeling she couldn't hide. Juan, caught off guard by her presence, found himself speechless. It had been months since he'd last seen her, months he'd tried to convince himself were better spent apart, knowing her life was safer without him. He'd heard rumors she was with Travis, a fact he hadn't protested, hoping she'd find stability away from his world of chaos. "Hi..." Jade's voice was barely a whisper, delicate but undeniable, her eyes refusing to break from his, as if in silent confession. The entire room fell away, fading into muted shadows, everyone else receding like background characters in a scene scripted solely for the two of them. It was as if a quiet force lifted their spirits, shimmering with unspoken promises. Their energy rose, sparking like stardust suspended in air, casting a glow around them that made it seem they were the only souls in the room, bound by something beyond words. "I'm glad to see you doing okay."
She whispered, breaking the silence with a soft, trembling smile as a tear traced the edge of her cheek. The relief in her eyes was unmistakable—a weight lifted only by the sight of him standing there, alive. She had prayed for this, clinging to the hope that he'd be safe, especially as she knew the shadows of betrayal circling him. The thought of him hurt, or worse, was an agony she couldn't bear, a haunting worry that gnawed at her every day. And despite everything, she still cared—deeply, inescapably. Juan held her gaze, his expression steady, almost unreadable, though his own heart was pounding at the sight of her. He'd tried to keep her far from this life, telling himself that she was better off without him. Seeing her here felt like a wound torn open and stitched back in the same moment, a strange, bittersweet pang. "Why you here?" he finally managed, his tone low, serious, his face betraying nothing. Beneath his calm, though, he wrestled with the fierce urge to pull her into his arms and shield her from the dangers she'd unwittingly stepped into. He knew his life was chaos, and being around him brought her too close to the edge. But love lingered unspoken in the air between them—deep, fierce, and unacknowledged, though it burned within him every moment he'd been without her.
Jade felt a wave of shock ripple through her at Juan's cold response. She hadn't expected warmth, but his words stung like ice. Next to her, Shantae rolled her eyes, her disapproval evident. "Girl, bye," she scoffed, voice sharp. "Let's leave him to deal with his own mess." Bold and unfiltered as ever, Shantae wasn't one to sugarcoat her feelings. She'd noticed the changes in Juan, the hard edges that had replaced the caring man she'd once known. Deep down, she wished for him to soften, to see the man Jade still held onto in her heart. After witnessing Jade's tears, Shantae silently rooted for them, knowing how much Jade still felt. Behind them, Colby and Ace approached the door, their presence heavy, waiting for the next move. Roki stood nearby, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold with a mixture of anticipation and curiosity. As Shantae moved to leave, she touched Jade's arm, urging her gently, "Let's go." But Jade stood firm, unmoved by the glances around her, her gaze locked on Juan with a steady resolve. She cleared her throat, reaching into her purse with deliberate movements, and pulled out a file. Holding it up, her face softened with something between sadness and determination.
