Jolene gazed at the screen and noticed the figure behind Tatiana nodding and slowly advancing toward her. She saw the man pull a gun from his pocket.
“No… stop… No, stop!” Jolene yelled frantically, trying to open the door. “Please, stop!!”
“Stop,” Maximus ordered, and the figure halted. “Go back and wait for my order again.”
Jolene’s breath was uneven. She sighed in relief as the man returned to his seat.
“You asked me to stop. I should get a reward.”
Jolene gritted her teeth. “What do you want?” she asked, holding back the urge to scream at him. Maximus was too cruel, and Tatiana had witnessed his monstrous side firsthand.
Maximus pulled out a card and handed it to her. “Take her to the hotel and the room listed here. Disobey, and you’ll kill her.”
“What are you planning to do with her?” she asked, her voice cracking with emotion.
“What I plan to do is none of your business, little bird. I’d like my daughter to rest tonight, and tomorrow, I’ll talk to her. Remember, I’ve got my eyes on you. I’ll know every single thing you do.”
Jolene clenched the card tightly in her hand.
“Change her into this dress too,” Maximus said, handing her a small box. Jolene gave him a questioning look, and he added, “Sleeping in a wedding dress would be uncomfortable, don’t you think?”
The car door clicked open. She stepped out slowly and headed to the bar, clutching the card and box. Glancing at her phone, she was relieved to remember she’d booked a flight before heading to the mansion.
Tomorrow morning, she’d quickly take Tatiana to the airport and fly her to Europe. As Jolene stepped into the bar, her heart broke at the sight of Tatiana.
“Oh, you know her?” the bartender asked when Jolene stood frozen, staring at her. Jolene snapped out of her thoughts and nodded.
“Good. Is she okay? I’ve never seen a woman drink so much. She seems familiar, though… an actress, right?”
“I’m taking her,” Jolene said hurriedly, rushing to help Tatiana.
“Jojo,” Tatiana slurred. “Happily ever married after… to me. Haha.”
Her words shattered Jolene’s heart, but she helped Tatiana anyway. Her eyes met the man behind Tatiana; his cold gaze was filled with dangerous intent.
‘Why did you have to get drunk, Tatie?’ olene thought as her heart ached. She led Tatiana out. Maximus’s car was parked across the road, silently watching.
She hailed a cab and headed to the hotel with Tatiana. Jolene laid her on the bed, covered her with a duvet, and changed her into the gown Maximus had given her. It was elegant, almost too exquisite for the situation.
Her phone beeped. She received a message from an unknown number: *Leave.*
Her eyes darted around the room. There must be a camera somewhere. She obeyed the order and left. Jolene didn’t leave the hotel, though. She stayed in her car around the corner, informing a nearby police officer in case anything dangerous happened.
‘What if they plan to kill her?’ Jolene’s mind raced as she kept her eyes on Tatiana’s window. She’d left the light off so she would notice if anyone entered.
However, nothing happened until she dozed off. When she woke up, it was already morning. Panicking, she rushed to Tatiana’s room, only to find her gone. Frantically, she searched the area and tried calling her several times. Eventually, Tatiana called back, and Jolene immediately answered.
“Tatie? Oh my God, are you alright? Where are you?” she almost yelled, her heart racing.
“I’m at the hotel,” Tatiana replied calmly.
“Hotel? I came to check on you, but you weren’t there. I thought Mr. Wallington got you,” Jolene said, relief washing over her.
“My father?”
Jolene quickly thought of an excuse. “Yes, a maid called from the mansion twenty minutes ago. Mr. Wallington has sent his men, and they’re searching for you. But don’t worry, I’ve got this under control. I’ve already prepared a flight for you.”
“Good, let’s meet at the hotel parking lot,” Tatiana instructed.
Jolene drove to the parking lot, and as soon as she spotted Tatiana, she asked, “So, where were you?”
“Complicated, annoying, and I don’t want to talk about it,” Tatiana replied. Jolene stayed quiet, deciding it was better not to push the issue. As long as Tatiana was okay…
However, when they reached the airport, Jolene regretted not going with her. “I’ll keep an eye on your father and give you updates,” she said before Tatiana left.
When Jolene returned home, she collapsed on the couch, exhausted from the day’s tension. As she closed her eyes, waiting for sleep to take her, a hand covered her mouth and nose with fabric. A strong, unfamiliar smell overwhelmed her senses, and she felt herself slipping into darkness.
That day was hellish for her…
___
Jolene snapped back to the present, her gaze cold. She didn’t want to recall that day. She didn’t want to remember the pain she had endured. But she couldn’t shake the memory of catching a glimpse of Odessa and Tristan, their cruel smiles etched in her mind.
They had warned her: if she ever told Tatiana what really happened, she would face the same fate again. In exchange for her silence, they promised to leave her in peace.
After that, Jolene drifted into darkness, eventually waking up in her room.
When Jolene learned about the night Tatiana had slept with a random man, guilt gnawed at her daily. But when she found out the man was Cassius, she had felt a sense of relief. That’s why she had tried to bring Tatiana and Cassius closer.
How they discovered Dylan’s existence, how they uncovered their relationship and marriage… remained a mystery to her.
Yes, she had lied to Tatiana.
But that didn’t change the fact that she was the “little bird” Maximus had referred to, so she took the blame. Tatiana believed it, which was why she had confronted her.
When Jaxon called her that name-*little bird*-it had freaked her out. That name was like a curse.
“I’m so stupid,” she mumbled.
“What did you say?” Odessa asked, tilting her head to the side. Jolene’s teary eyes met hers.
“What did you do to me that night?” Jolene asked, her voice trembling with curiosity. Now that she thought about it, there was more to that night than she understood.
Odessa stayed silent, and Jolene clenched her jaw. “What did you do?” she demanded, standing up.
Silence.
“What did you do to me!!!” Jolene screamed, pounding on the glass between them. “What did you *fucking* do?!”
A cop came in and dragged Jolene away.
“Let go of me, bastard!” Jolene struggled to free herself. “Let go!”
That evening, Jolene’s mind was restless. ‘What did they do to me?’ She remembered the bruises and wounds from that day, now healed… but had they put something inside her?
Wait!
Jolene’s eyes widened just as the cell door opened and a new figure stepped in.
“You have a new cellmate. Her name is Lisa. Do me a favor and don’t kill each other,” the cop introduced.
Jolene’s eyes met Lisa’s, and she watched as Lisa’s lips curled into a creepy smile.
Oh no.