UNBOUND HEARTS

Confessions 1

Emily and Jack had been dating for a month, and she felt a happiness she hadn't known in a long time. He treated her like a precious princess, a treasure he promised never to let go. With Rose and the thirst for vengeance pushed to the back of her mind, her world seemed to revolve solely around Jack. But as always, all good things seemed destined to end.

On their one-month anniversary, Jack took Emily to the cliff—the same cliff where he had previously brought other girls before killing them. But Emily was ready. She wasn't blindly in love—well, maybe she was—but she still had her wits about her.

At the cliff, Emily played the love-sick fool effortlessly. She was already halfway there.

"I do, Jack. I promise."

Author's Note: This scene references events from Book One. Readers unfamiliar with it might find some context missing.

As they exchanged vows, Jack hugged Emily tightly. The smirk on her face was hidden from him. What was worse, she couldn't see the genuine happiness in his eyes.

After that night, life seemed to return to normal, but Emily felt uneasy. The calmness made her restless and paranoid, as if she sensed something was about to happen but it never did. For two weeks, she was a mess. Even Jack noticed but dismissed it as just another "girl thing."

Friday nights were their movie nights. Emily had prepared and waited for Jack. She glanced at the clock and frowned. His lateness was unusual. Anxiety gnawed at her with each passing minute, magnifying even his smallest actions.

As she began her fourth anxious lap around the room, the doorbell rang. She sighed in relief and rushed to answer it. But as soon as she opened the door, Jack pushed her aside forcefully and locked the door behind him. The sinking realization hit her—he was drunk.

Fear gripped Emily, despite her anticipation of this moment. She pushed aside any thoughts of fleeing. She wasn't pathetic. She wasn't a coward.

She was there for revenge, and she would get it. Narrowing her eyes at him, she braced for the moment he would strike. Just one hit, and it would be over. She'd ruin him and ensure Rose's soul could rest in peace.

Jack raised his hand, and Emily shut her eyes tightly. The seconds stretched into what felt like an eternity, but no impact came. She dared to open her eyes slightly, seeing his hand frozen mid-air, his gaze locked onto her with an expression she couldn't decipher.

A single tear rolled down his cheek and fell to the floor. Emily's shock was palpable. Jack broke down in front of her, his voice slurred. "Don't let me go back, Emily."

She stared at him, bewildered. Was this another of his games? Her traitorous heart seemed to soften despite her resolve. Tears began to flow freely as she looked down at him.

"I don't want to be the old me," he continued, his voice cracking. "You've changed me, and I like THIS me. I don't want to hurt you. Fuck!" His desperation was evident, but Emily remained still, numb.

"I'd kill myself before I hurt you. Please, Emily. I've done bad things, but don't give up on me."

Emily couldn't hold back her tears any longer.

"Emily, I think... I, uh... I—"

But Jack didn't finish his sentence. He collapsed, unconscious on the floor. Emily sat beside him and gently lifted his head onto her lap. As she combed his hair with her fingers, her tears fell onto his face.

How could she kill him? She wanted to believe that what he said was true. For once, she wished for them to be normal teenagers. She needed him, desperately.