Ties We Cut, Ties We Keep

Jay's POV:

The way those two kept staring at each other was pissing me off. I wasn't about to waste another second with them, so I made up my mind to end it right there.

"Tell your boss my dear father that I'm not going back. I want nothing to do with him or his precious gang. So if he knows what's good for him, he'll back off before this turns into something ugly."

Their eyes widened like they weren't expecting me to talk back. One of them finally nodded and sighed, mumbling that this wasn't going to be over. He said, "You're his only son. He built all of this for you. The gang, the business… everything. He needs you to take over one day."

I let out a dry laugh. "He needs me? Funny, because I needed a father once, and he was nowhere to be found."

Now you know the truth. My dad isn't just some cheating asshole he's a gang leader. That's how he always manages to find me, no matter where I hide. Everyone thinks he's just a CEO of some random small company, but that's just a mask. The real business happens in the shadows. Not even Aidan knows any of this.

I've never wanted that life. I want a clean one, a life where I don't have to sleep with one eye open. But my father never understood that. To him, blood is the only bond strong enough to trust. He keeps saying no one outside the family should know the business secrets.

But here's the thing I'm not interested. I'm not going to be the next in line to his filthy empire. Hell, he's the reason Mom's dead. How does he even have the nerve to ask for anything from me after that?

Jacob's POV:

It was already afternoon, and I was waiting for Jay. I called him earlier, and he told me about how things went with those guys. He sounded okay, but my gut still felt uneasy. What kind of father pulls something like this? Mine isn't perfect either, but he's not a goddamn criminal.

When Jay finally showed up, I swear I could breathe again. He didn't look hurt, no bruises thank God.

"Hey, here are your keys. Thanks again for letting me crash. I seriously owe you one," he said, flashing that tired but grateful smile of his. People might think Jay's cold, but he's not. Once you get past that tough shell, he's the kind of guy who says thank you more times than you can count.

"Jay, you can stop thanking me, alright? We're friends. That's what friends do they look out for each other," I told him. "And for the record, my place is yours. Anytime, no questions asked."

His eyes softened, and I saw that small, rare smile. "I don't even know what to say. You're the only one who's been there for me lately, Jacob. I really mean it thanks for everything."

Hearing that… it felt good. Like maybe I was doing something right. "You're welcome, Jay. But tell me, is this over? Are they done bothering you?"

Jay shook his head slowly. "No… it's far from over."

That hit me like a rock. But Jay's strong. He'll figure it out. I just hope I can keep being the support he needs.

Chase's (Sissel's Brother) POV:

I spent the whole day holed up in my room like usual gaming, watching series anything to escape reality. Not that I don't know what I'm doing. I know exactly what I've become useless, just like my old self. No job, no future, just sitting here wasting away.

The worst part? I ruined someone else's life because I couldn't handle my own mess. I let my jealousy, my failures, get the best of me. I knew my life was going nowhere, so seeing someone else climbing, living… it was too much. So, I did the unforgivable. I betrayed him.

Now, no amount of regret will fix it. I'd give anything just to say sorry, to explain, to hug him once and tell him I was weak and wrong. But it's too late for that. He won't even look at me, and honestly? I don't blame him.

I stabbed him in the back, and that's something you don't come back from.

Sissel's POV:

I dragged myself home after another exhausting day at campus. The first thing I saw was Dad same spot, same couch, eyes glued to the TV. It made me sick.

I hate that Mom works her fingers to the bone while he just sits there like dead weight. Once upon a time, I was his little girl. Now? I can't even stand breathing the same air as him. He's nothing but a burden, a useless excuse for a father.

But what can I do? Nothing not yet. I'm just waiting for graduation, waiting for the day I can finally leave this hellhole and never look back. Just like he did…

I miss him every single day. My brother my hero. But he's gone, and I don't blame him for cutting us off. I couldn't protect him back then. I was just a kid. But now? I get it.

Wherever you are, I hope you're safe. I hope you're living the life we both dreamed of. But damn it… why'd you have to leave me behind?