𝔅𝔬𝔯𝔫 𝔱𝔬 𝔡𝔦𝔢 - Rafe Cameron

①③

...

Sarah stepped onto the terrace, her gaze searching for Rafe, who was sitting in the armchair, his computer open in front of him, papers scattered around him. She paused for a moment, unsure, before walking toward him.

"Jazmine isn't here," Sarah said quietly.

Rafe glanced at her briefly. "You know she's not here, so why ask?"

"Relax, Rafe. Is this really the way you think she'll come back?"

Rafe sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You didn't come here to talk about her, did you?"

Sarah nodded, "True. But wasn't it Jazmine who convinced you to call me?"

He exhaled deeply, looking back at the horizon. "She's the one who convinced me to talk to you today... about Dad and the inheritance."

"And She's right. You're my sister, and you deserve a share of it... despite everything."

The two stood in silence for a moment before diving into a deeper conversation about their father, the complicated family legacy, and the choices that lay ahead. But in the back of Rafe's mind, Jazmine's words lingered: You hate them more than you love me, and it can't work like that.

Rafe had replayed that line over and over for weeks, trying to convince himself she was wrong. He did love Jazmine. He had envisioned an entire future with her. But the more he thought about it, the less he believed the Pogues were to blame for the cracks in their relationship.

Jazmine had left Tannyhill, only returning occasionally. Rafe knew she was living nearby, but she did everything she could to avoid seeing him. When she did come by, it was clear she had no intention of speaking to him beyond polite exchanges. Her visits were solely for Bella, their dog.

The large golden retriever had become their last connection. Jazmine hadn't taken Bella away despite the dog's obvious sadness every time she left.

Jazmine had moved into a much smaller house, but it suited her. It had two bedrooms, a small garden, and a cozy kitchen—enough for her needs. Sofia often visited, and over time, she started staying the night, their late-night talks growing longer.

Sofia wasn't like Rafe or even Kiara. While Kiara, her sister, could be overprotective to the point of ignoring logic, and Rafe was relentlessly set in his ways, Sofia had a unique understanding of Jazmine that no one else seemed to have. 

She felt more and more grateful to have her by her side.

That morning, Jazmine had stopped by her house only to see the Twinkie parked outside. Curious, she knocked on the door, startling John B, who opened it with his hand still pressed to his chest.

"Jesus, you scared the crap out of me," he said.

"Relax," Jazmine replied with a smirk. "Why are you so jumpy?"

John B sighed. "It's the council meeting later. I'm stressed about losing the house."

"Kiara told me about it," Jazmine said. Her tone grew sharper. "God knows if I could kill Topper, I'd do it without hesitation. But for his stupid project? I can't do anything. His grandfather being a judge puts us at a dead end. All we can do now is pray."

"We know, and we don't blame you," John B assured her.

"I told Kiara you guys could stay in one of the properties."