Found Obsession

Chapter 93: Acceptance II

They all swallowed hard, their eyes fixed on Rose. Her calmness was unnerving, a brittle strength that barely concealed the weight she carried. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, bracing herself for the judgment she expected from them. But none came. Instead, silence filled the room, heavy with unspoken grief.

Sadness washed over them as they realized Rose was holding herself together with sheer will, despite the fractures in her soul.

After a long while Sasha broke the silence.

"Is that why you decided against the ceremony?" Sasha asked hesitantly, her voice soft.

Rose stared down at her hands, her fingers trembling slightly. "I'm not entirely sure what the ceremony really is, however, it does scare me," she admitted, her voice low. "My father had Raven take blood. And though I don't have all my memories back yet, I'm certain they've taken it before." She paused, her expression dropping. "With Father Dawson and that nun being overexcited with my blood... I don't think this is a ceremony. It's more like a ritual."

Her eyes turned to Jonathan, who visibly shivered under her gaze.

"Jonathan," she said softly, her tone demanding but not harsh, "tell them what my father requested of you at the auction."

Jonathan hesitated, his jaw tightening as the memory resurfaced. He didn't want to speak, but Rose's steady gaze left him no choice. He exhaled shakily. "Mr. Hansley..." he began, his voice quiet. "He asked me if Rose was pregnant."

The others exchanged confused glances, but Jonathan wasn't finished. "He said... that he'd be fine with me joining the family—as long as Rose's first child carried the Hansley name, not mine."

The room plunged into silence, the weight of his words suffocating. They stared at Rose, the implications sinking in like ice in their veins.

"To continue the Hansley lineage," Rose whispered, her voice hollow.

Rose's lips trembled, but her voice was firm as she continued. "So, no matter what this ceremony is supposed to be, it has to be something chilling. Nothing good will come by it, nothing in my family has been good..." She paused, looking at each of them, her eyes filled with cold resolve. "I'm going to let the marks kill me and end my lineage."

They couldn't name the sensation twisting in their chests as they looked at Rose. It wasn't pity or sympathy—it was deeper, heavier, an understanding that left no room for soothing words or empty promises. They knew there were no guarantees that things would end well. Her eyes, reflecting the same unyielding sorrow and fire now burning in theirs, told them as much.

Rose's gaze lingered on her photograph for a moment before shifting to her computer. Justice, she thought, the word searing into her mind. It was the last thread keeping them upright, the unity between her and her friends, and their shared determination to fight for what was right.

"Destroy the other lists," Rose whispered.

Jonathan, Mark, and Sasha didn't hesitate. They gathered the printed lists, shredding or burning each one except for the one with the note. That one remained, a reminder of their mission.

Meanwhile, Rose began editing the lists on her computer. She printed Lists 5, 6, 7, and 8, her heart heavy as she worked. With Mark next in line, she placed the Huttons at the end of the 8th list, ensuring Sasha would follow if the sequence was carried out.

She exhaled deeply as she handed the freshly printed lists to Mark. He folded them neatly, tucking them into the inside pocket of his coat along with his photograph.

Rose saved the remaining edited lists and transferred the  recording from her phone to her computer. With precision, she erased all evidence from her device and shut down the computer. Her movements were methodical, but her mind was a storm of thoughts and emotions.