Stuck with the enemy

Chapter 34: Crossing All Lines.

Alya's Story

The Next Day

I had barely reached back to my place when a message lit up my phone. It was from Julia, Derek's sister. She wanted Jacob's or Aras's phone number, claiming she'd heard about a missing girl and wanted to help. Her message felt like a puzzle with missing pieces.

Was Derek lying to her? And what exactly was he planning?

Despite my doubts, I had still sent her Jacob's number. Seeing how much Aras despised their family, I couldn't let him be contacted by her first.

Still, even at home, my mind wasn't here. It was back with Deniz.

Jacob's Story

"Jacob, I think it's time for me to go home," Tommy said, standing by Deniz's side. "And Deniz should take her room back."

"Are you sure you're okay? Is there no pain anymore?" Aras asked from the armchair next to me.

I looked at him skeptically. "Are you sure you're okay? No pain, nothing?"

Tommy nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just... I didn't mean to cause so much trouble. You had to take care of me, and now she's..." His voice trailed off as his gaze fell on Deniz.

"Tommy, don't blame yourself," Aras interjected. "Even if it wasn't you, we still wouldn't have known. She didn't say anything. We had no idea what dangers she was facing," Aras's words hung heavy in the room, frustration evident in his tone. He was hurt that Deniz hadn't trusted him to share what she was going through. And I was too. Deniz had carried her burden alone, and we were paying the price for it now.

"I'll take you home," Aras finally said. "And I'll stay with you to help you settle in. Jacob," he said, facing me. " talk to the doctor. Find out what medications we need to get. And watch over her until I come back." I nodded letting him know that 's exactly what I will do .

A few moments later, it was just Deniz and me. Her fever hadn't broken yet. I busied myself in the kitchen, trying to keep my mind off the gnawing worry inside me.

That's when my phone rang. An unknown number flashed on the screen.

Julia's Story

In Derek's room, the tension was unbearable. Derek sat by the window, his posture rigid, his eyes fixed on something I couldn't see. He hadn't spoken for several minutes, and it was driving me crazy.

"I'm going to call Jacob to find out if they've found the girl," I said, trying to sound calm as I dialed his number. My fingers trembled slightly.

Derek turned his head slowly, his eyes narrowing. "No need," he said, his voice too casual, too dismissive. "I'll go find myself."

I froze, my confusion quickly turning to frustration. "You can't leave the house, Derek. What's going on with you?" I said, my tone sharp. Something wasn't right.

Ignoring me, Derek turned his back and began pacing the room, his hands clasped behind him. I pressed the call button, my anxiety mounting as I waited for the line to connect.

"Hello?" Jacob's voice came through, hoarse and tired.

"Jacob, this is Julia Garcia," I said, trying to sound composed despite the knot in my stomach. "I wanted to ask if you have any news about the girl?"

There was a long pause before Jacob spoke again, his voice tight, like he was holding something back. "Did Derek tell you to call?" he asked, the suspicion in his voice unmistakable.

"No," I said, the word coming out a little too quickly. "I called on my own. Why are you upset? What happened?"

There was another pause on the line, and then Jacob's voice came through, cold and distant. "We found the 'girl.' You can tell your brother that, but tell him to stay away from Deniz."