Chapter Nine

The weight of Jane's message pressed heavily on me, long after I'd locked my phone and set it aside. She was watching, and now Jason's presence added another layer to my fear. If Jane was willing to throw bricks and taunt me with threats, there was no telling what she might do next.

The next morning, I woke up determined to shield Jason from whatever madness Jane was planning. I couldn't let my little brother become collateral damage in this strange, twisted battle.

At breakfast, Jason's carefree chatter filled the room. He was excited about everything—the grand staircase, the sprawling gardens, even the sparkling chandeliers. His innocence was refreshing, a brief reprieve from the storm swirling around me.

"Rex, you've got to let me ride in one of your cars," Jason said between bites of toast. Rex smirked, sipping his coffee. "We'll see. Maybe next time."

"Next time? Come on, Sarah's always told me you're all about luxury. Don't you have a Lamborghini or something?"

I shot Jason a warning look, but Rex actually chuckled. "I do, but it's not something I hand over to amateurs." Jason grinned, clearly enjoying the banter.

After breakfast, Rex excused himself to take a call in his office, leaving Jason and me alone. "So, how's the married life treating you?" Jason asked, leaning back in his chair. "It's...complicated," I admitted, not wanting to lie to him.

Jason raised an eyebrow. "Complicated how?" "Let's just say it's not as glamorous as it looks."

"Sounds like there's drama," he said, his tone teasing.

I hesitated, debating whether to tell him about Jane. But before I could decide, the sound of Rex's raised voice carried into the room.

Jason's smile faded. "What's that about?" "I don't know," I said, already standing.

I found Rex in his office, pacing behind his desk with his phone pressed to his ear. His expression was dark, and his free hand was clenched into a fist.

"This isn't a request," he said sharply. "I want every detail. I don't care how long it takes... find out who's behind this."

He ended the call and turned to face me, his jaw tight. "What's going on?" I asked.

Rex sighed, running a hand through his hair. "There's been another incident." "What kind of incident?"

"Someone sent an anonymous tip to the press, claiming you and I aren't really married." My stomach dropped. "What? Why would someone do that?"

Rex gave me a pointed look. "Take a guess." "Jane," I whispered.

"It's possible," he said. "But I can't prove it. Not yet."

The rest of the day was tense. Rex's team worked tirelessly to contain the rumors before they could spread, while Jason remained blissfully unaware of the chaos.

"I think I'll head out tomorrow," Jason announced during dinner. "Already?" I asked, surprised.

"Yeah, I don't want to overstay my welcome. Plus, Coach will kill me if I miss practice again."

I forced a smile, though part of me wished he could stay longer. His presence was a comfort, even if it was temporary.

That night, I found Rex in the study, staring out the window with a drink in hand. "Jason's leaving tomorrow," I said softly, stepping into the room.

He nodded, his gaze still fixed on the view outside. "Probably for the best." I frowned, crossing my arms. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Sarah, the more people in this house, the harder it is to keep everyone safe." "So now Jason's a liability?" I snapped.

Rex turned to face me, his expression calm but firm. "That's not what I said. But considering everything that's happened, it's safer for him to be somewhere else."

I wanted to argue, but deep down, I knew he was right.

The next morning, I walked Jason to the gate, where a car was waiting to take him to the train station. "Thanks for letting me crash here," he said, giving me a hug.

"Anytime," I replied, holding him tightly. "Stay safe, okay?"

"You too," he said, pulling back to look at me. "And don't let anyone push you around. You're stronger than you think, Sarah."

His words brought tears to my eyes, but I managed to smile. "I'll try."

As the car disappeared down the driveway, I felt a strange mix of relief and sadness. Jason was safe, but I was left to face the storm alone.

That evening, just as I was beginning to relax, my phone buzzed with another text from Jane.

"Nice to see your brother's gone. It'll make things easier."

I stared at the message, my heart pounding. What did she mean by that? Easier for what? Before I could process the implications, the house alarm suddenly blared, shattering the silence. I ran to the living room, where Rex was already barking orders into his phone.

"What's happening?" I asked, panic rising in my chest.

"One of the perimeter sensors was triggered," he said, his voice tight.

The guards swarmed the property, searching for any sign of an intruder. But after an hour, they came up empty-handed.

"It was probably just an animal," one of the guards suggested. Rex wasn't convinced. "Stay on high alert," he ordered.

As the guards dispersed, Rex turned to me. "Are you okay?" I nodded, though my hands were still trembling.

He placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch steady and reassuring. "We'll get through this, Sarah. I promise." But as I looked into his eyes, I couldn't help but wonder if that was a promise he

could keep.

Cliffhanger: Who triggered the alarm, and how far will Jane go to carry out her threats?