Chapter Six

I stood in the restroom for several minutes after Jane left, trying to steady my breathing. Her words played over and over in my head. "When I'm done, there won't be anything left of this little fairy tale." She wasn't bluffing; the way her eyes gleamed with malice told me she meant every word.

I splashed cold water on my face, willing myself to calm down. This wasn't the time to let fear get the better of me. I needed to stay composed, at least until I could figure out what Jane was planning.

When I returned to the luncheon, Rex was deep in conversation with a group of executives. His sharp suit and confident demeanor made him the center of attention, but his eyes flicked to me the moment I approached.

"Everything okay?" he asked quietly as I took my place beside him. I nodded, forcing a smile. "I'm fine."

He didn't seem convinced, but he let it go, returning his focus to the conversation.

The rest of the event passed in a blur. I barely registered the polite chatter and fake smiles. All I could think about was Jane and what she might do next.

Later that evening, back at the mansion, I found myself pacing in the living room. Rex was in his study,

reviewing documents for an upcoming meeting. I debated whether to tell him about my encounter with Jane, but something held me back.

He'll just tell me to stay away from her, I thought. And what good will that do?

As I paced, my phone buzzed with a new message. I picked it up, expecting Alicia or even Jason, but the number was unknown.

"Nice seeing you today. Enjoy the calm while it lasts."

My stomach twisted. It didn't take a genius to figure out who had sent it. Jane was taunting me, letting me know she was watching.

I stared at the screen, my fingers hovering over the keypad. Should I respond? Should I block her number? Before I could decide, another message came through.

"You don't belong in his world, Sarah. You're just a placeholder, and placeholders are easy to remove."

My hand trembled as I locked the phone and tossed it onto the couch. She was trying to get inside my head, and it was working.

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of Jason's voice on the other end of the phone. "Morning, Sis!" he chirped, his usual cheerful tone a welcome relief.

"Morning, Jay. How's school?"

"Good! We had practice yesterday, and Coach said I'm improving. Maybe one day I'll make it to the big leagues."

I smiled, his enthusiasm contagious. "I know you will."

"And how's married life? Are you and Mr. Fancy Pants getting along?" I laughed softly. "It's...an adjustment."

"Just don't let him boss you around too much," Jason said. "You're tougher than you think, Sis."

His words stayed with me long after we hung up. Maybe he was right. Maybe it was time I stopped letting Jane, or anyone else, intimidate me.

When I walked into the dining room for breakfast, Rex was already there, his attention focused on the newspaper. He glanced up as I entered.

"Morning," he said, his tone neutral.

"Morning," I replied, taking a seat across from him.

There was a brief silence as we ate, but I couldn't ignore the tension hanging in the air. Finally, I decided to address it.

"Rex, what's the deal with Jane?"

He looked up, his expression hardening. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, why does she hate me so much? What happened between the two of you?"

Rex sighed, setting his fork down. "Jane and I dated for a while. She wanted more... marriage, a future... but I wasn't ready for that kind of commitment. Things ended badly, and she's been holding a grudge ever since."

"She seems to think she can still get you back," I said carefully.

"She's delusional," he replied, his tone dismissive. "Jane thrives on drama. The best thing you can do is ignore her."

I nodded, though his words didn't offer much comfort. Ignoring Jane was easier said than done.

That afternoon, I decided to take a walk around the mansion grounds. The gardens were stunning, filled with vibrant flowers and perfectly trimmed hedges. It was a welcome escape from the tension inside.

As I wandered, I noticed one of the staff, a young gardener, tending to a rose bush. He looked up and smiled when he saw me.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Go."

"Afternoon," I replied, returning his smile.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "If you don't mind me saying, you seem...troubled." I blinked, surprised by his observation. "Is it that obvious?"

He shrugged. "Sometimes, a fresh perspective can help."

I considered his words, then nodded. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."

As the day wore on, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen. Jane's messages, her warning at the cafe... it all felt like the calm before the storm.

That evening, as Rex and I sat in the living room, I decided to bring it up. "Rex, what if Jane tries to do something...dangerous?"

He frowned, setting down the glass of whiskey he'd been holding. "What do you mean?" "I mean, what if she goes beyond just words? She seems...determined."

Rex's expression darkened. "Jane wouldn't cross that line. She knows better."

"But what if she does?" I pressed.

He studied me for a moment before nodding. "I'll make some calls, ensure extra security around the house. In the meantime, stay alert and don't go anywhere alone."

His words were meant to reassure me, but they only heightened my anxiety.

That night, I lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. Every creak and shadow felt like a threat, every passing moment stretched thin with tension.

Just as I was beginning to drift off, a loud crash from downstairs jolted me upright. My heart raced as I threw on a robe and hurried out of the room.

Rex was already in the hallway, his expression grim. "Stay here," he ordered, but I followed him anyway.

When we reached the living room, the sight made my blood run cold. One of the large windows had been shattered, shards of glass scattered across the floor.

On the coffee table lay a brick, wrapped in a piece of paper. Rex picked it up carefully, unwrapping the note. His jaw clenched as he read the words scrawled in bold, angry letters: "This is just the beginning."

Cliffhanger: Who sent the message, and how far will they go to disrupt Sarah and Rex's lives?