The Day Everything Changed

The knock echoed through the apartment.

Sharp. Loud. Final.

Ethan's entire body went still.

Like he already knew who was on the other side.

Like he had been expecting this.

And me?

I was still standing at the counter, my fingers curled around the key Ethan had just given me.

A key to what?

I didn't know.

And right now?

I wasn't sure I wanted to find out.

Because whatever was coming?

I wasn't ready for it.

Ethan moved first.

Slow, controlled. Too calm.

Like he wasn't surprised.

Like this wasn't a moment that would change everything.

He reached for the door.

Opened it.

And standing there?

Was the one person I had thought I'd never see again.

Jax.

The room tilted.

My breath caught, my body locking in place.

Jax smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe.

Like this was just another night.

Like he hadn't disappeared without a trace.

Like he hadn't set this entire thing in motion.

"Well," he drawled. "Miss me?"

Ethan didn't move.

Didn't react.

Didn't even blink.

But I?

I wasn't breathing.

Because Jax wasn't just back.

He looked like he had never left.

Like he had been waiting for the right moment to reappear.

And now?

Now he was here.

And that could only mean one thing.

This was the beginning of something much worse.

Ethan's voice was low, cold.

"You're not supposed to be here."

Jax chuckled, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"Neither were you," he said.

His gaze flicked to me, too knowing, too sharp.

"But I see you made yourself right at home."

My stomach twisted.

Because Jax?

He wasn't just talking about Ethan.

He was talking about me.

About the fact that I had stayed.

That I had let Ethan pull me under.

That I had made my choice.

And now?

There was no turning back.

Jax stepped inside.

Uninvited.

Unbothered.

Like he still had control over this.

Over Ethan.

Over me.

Ethan tensed but didn't stop him.

And that?

That told me everything.

Because Ethan didn't let anyone walk over him.

Not unless they had something on him.

Not unless they knew something I didn't.

I swallowed hard.

"What's going on?" I whispered.

Jax's smirk widened.

"Oh, sweetheart," he murmured.

"You really don't know, do you?"

My skin prickled.

Because no, I didn't.

But I was about to.

Jax turned his attention back to Ethan, his smirk sharpening.

"She doesn't know," he said, amused.

Ethan's jaw ticked.

"Jax." His voice was a warning.

But Jax?

He ignored it.

He took another step closer.

And then—

He dropped the bomb.

"She doesn't know who got you out."

I froze.

A beat of silence.

Then—

Ethan exhaled sharply.

And just like that?

I knew.

I knew.

This wasn't just about Ethan getting out of jail.

This wasn't about chance.

This wasn't even about the war I had unknowingly stepped into.

This was about the fact that Ethan?

He hadn't gotten out on his own.

Someone had pulled strings.

Someone had made a deal.

And the only person with that kind of power?

Was Jax.

I took a step back, my breath uneven.

"You—" I swallowed hard. "You helped him?"

Jax shrugged. "Helped? That's a strong word."

I shook my head.

"No," I whispered. "You don't do anything unless there's something in it for you."

Jax grinned.

"And she's catching on."

I turned to Ethan.

My voice cracked.

"What did you do?"

Ethan's jaw clenched.

"Liv—"

"What did you do?"

Silence.

Then—

"He made a trade."

Jax's words were light, casual.

Like this wasn't a twist that was about to break me.

But then he smirked.

And delivered the final blow.

"For you."

I couldn't breathe.

Jax took a slow step forward, watching my reaction like it amused him.

"Ethan got out because I let him," he continued.

"Because I made sure the right people looked the other way."

I was shaking.

"What did he give you?"

Jax tilted his head.

"You already know the answer, sweetheart."

And I did.

Because what was the only thing Ethan had left to give?

Me.

I turned back to Ethan, my vision blurring.

"You made a deal," I whispered.

He didn't deny it.

Didn't even try to.

I let out a sharp, shaking laugh.

"So, what does that mean, Ethan? Huh?"

I took a step closer, my anger boiling over.

"What does he get? Do I belong to him now?"

Ethan's eyes flashed with something lethal.

"No," he growled.

His voice was low, rough, almost desperate.

But it was too late.

Because the damage?

It was already done.

Jax sighed, like this was all so exhausting.

"Relax, sweetheart," he murmured.

"You're not mine."

He smirked.

"But you're not his either."

My stomach dropped.

Because I wasn't free.

I was just a pawn in a game I didn't understand.

And now?

Now there was only one thing left to do.

I had to figure out who really owned me.

Jax reveals that Ethan didn't get out on his own—he made a deal.

Liv realizes she's been part of something much bigger than she thought.

Ethan refuses to say what the deal was, but Jax hints that Liv is the price.

Liv starts to uncover the truth—and it's worse than she imagined.