Did He Ever Care?

Jax's voice slithered through the phone like smoke.

"I was wondering when you'd finally call."

I clenched my fingers around the device, forcing my voice to stay steady.

"This isn't a game, Jax."

A pause.

Then—

A slow, amused chuckle.

"Oh, sweetheart. It's always a game. The real question is, do you know the rules yet?"

I hated the way my stomach tightened at his words.

Because he was right.

I was playing a game I didn't understand.

And worst of all?

I had no idea who was really winning.

I exhaled sharply, pushing past the cold sweat crawling up my spine.

"I need answers."

Jax hummed. "I bet you do."

I swallowed hard.

Then—

I asked the question I had been running from the moment everything fell apart.

"Did Ethan ever care about me?"

The words burned coming out.

Like I had just admitted something too fragile, too dangerous.

Something I wasn't sure I wanted the answer to.

And Jax?

He knew that.

I could hear the grin in his voice.

"Well, that depends."

I gritted my teeth.

"On what?"

His voice dropped lower.

"On whether you want the truth or something pretty to hold onto."

I shut my eyes, steadying myself.

"Just tell me."

Jax was quiet for a beat.

Then—

"You already know, Liv."

I sucked in a sharp breath.

"You're just too scared to admit it."

The world felt too loud.

Too heavy.

Because suddenly, I was back there.

Back in Ethan's arms.

Back in his apartment, whispering promises we both knew he couldn't keep.

Back in his bed, his lips on my skin, murmuring things that felt like forever.

But forever wasn't real.

Not with him.

Because the moment I tried to leave—

He let me go.

And that?

That was the answer I hadn't wanted.

Jax exhaled through the phone.

"Let me guess," he mused.

"You're remembering the good parts, aren't you?"

I flinched.

Because I was.

And that was the worst part of all.

Jax let out a low chuckle.

"That's the thing about Ethan Carter, sweetheart."

His voice was mocking, amused.

"He makes sure you only remember what he wants you to."

My throat closed.

Because I hated him for saying it.

I hated him for knowing me better than I knew myself.

But more than anything?

I hated that he was right.

I had spent so long trying to piece together the Ethan I had fallen for.

The one who made me feel alive and wanted and untouchable.

But I had never stopped to ask—

If any of it had been real.

And now?

I was too scared to find out.

Jax exhaled, his tone shifting—losing the teasing edge.

"You want my opinion?"

I hesitated.

Then—

"Yeah."

Jax didn't drag it out this time.

Didn't make me beg for the answer.

Instead, he just said it.

"He cared about you."

A sharp breath left my lips.

But before I could hold onto that small sliver of hope—

He added, "Just not enough."

I felt it then.

The shift.

The final crack in whatever was left of my denial.

Ethan had cared.

But not enough to choose me over his secrets.

Not enough to stop controlling me.

Not enough to stop breaking me.

I had given him everything.

And he had given me just enough to keep me hanging on.

And now?

Now, I was finally letting go.

Jax's voice pulled me back.

"So," he murmured.

"What happens now?"

I swallowed hard.

I had a choice.

One I never thought I'd make.

I could go back to Ethan.

Pretend I didn't know the truth.

Pretend I could still save him.

Or I could do what Tessa asked me to do.

I could burn him to the ground.

My hands shook.

But for the first time?

I wasn't afraid of the answer.

I exhaled slowly.

Then—

I whispered the words that sealed my fate.

"Tell me what I have to do."

Jax was quiet for a moment.

Then—

He laughed.

Low. Dark. Dangerous.

"Oh, sweetheart," he murmured.

"You just made the biggest mistake of your life."

A shiver crawled down my spine.

But I didn't take it back.

I couldn't.

Because this was it.

The moment I chose a side.

And now?

There was no going back.

Liv finally accepts the truth—Ethan cared, but not enough.

Jax pushes her to make a choice—walk away or destroy Ethan for good.

Liv picks a side… and it might be the biggest mistake she's ever made.

What does Jax make her do, and how far is she willing to go?