Chapter 174
The past few days had been unbearable. I avoided Jake at every turn, retreating to the nursery or anywhere I could find peace. Every glance from him was like a dagger, a cruel reminder of his dismissiveness and the cold rejection that had left me shattered. He’d made it clear I was nothing to him—nothing more than an inconvenience, a burden he regretted sharing his bed with.
But no matter how much I wanted to distance myself, I couldn’t. The twins were my anchor, their innocent faces and soft giggles pulling me back to my purpose. Sophie and Fatima tried to cheer me up, offering kind words and teasing smiles, but I could barely muster the energy to respond. My heart was heavy, and my mind was constantly replaying Jake’s cutting words.
One night, exhaustion finally claimed me as I lay on the couch in the nursery, the twins sound asleep in their cribs. I drifted into a restless sleep, my dreams quickly consumed by something vivid and strange.
Prisca.
She stood before me, radiant and strong, her presence filling the space with warmth and authority. Her voice was calm but urgent.
“Ayla, you must take care of them,” she said, her golden eyes filled with a deep sorrow that pierced my soul.
“The twins?” I asked, my voice trembling.
She nodded, stepping closer. “They are special, Ayla. They are the future. You must protect them at all costs. Danger is coming, and they will need you to shield them.”
Her gaze softened, and she placed a hand on my shoulder. “And Jake... he needs you, too. Even if he doesn’t realize it.”
I opened my mouth to ask more, to plead for answers, but the vision dissolved, leaving me gasping and disoriented. My heart pounded as I sat upright, the vivid image of Prisca still etched in my mind.
The twins stirred slightly in their cribs, but they remained asleep. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to make sense of what I’d just experienced. It felt so real, like Prisca herself had reached out to me.
But why?
And why now?
I didn’t want to talk to Jake. Every interaction with him lately had been nothing short of agonizing. But this wasn’t about me or my feelings. This was about the twins, about their safety. Prisca’s words echoed in my mind, urging me to put aside my pride and warn him.
With a deep breath, I left the nursery and headed toward Jake’s office. My steps felt heavier with each stride, dread curling in my stomach at the thought of facing him.
I knocked softly, and his deep voice called out, “Come in.”
Pushing the door open, I stepped inside. Jake was seated behind his desk, papers spread out before him. He barely glanced up, his expression indifferent.
“What do you want, Ayla?” he asked, his tone curt.
I swallowed the lump in my throat, forcing myself to speak. “I had a dream... or a vision. Prisca came to me.”
His eyes snapped up to meet mine, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face before it hardened. “What did you say?”
“She told me to take care of the twins,” I said, my voice trembling. “She said they’re special, that they’re the future, and they’re in danger. She told me I have to protect them.”
Jake stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. He stalked toward me, his eyes blazing with anger. “Is this some kind of game to you?”
I took a step back, startled by his sudden outburst. “What? No! I’m telling you what I saw, Jake. Prisca came to me—”
“Stop saying her name!” he roared, his voice echoing through the room. “You think you can just use her to... what? Manipulate me? Make me feel something for you?”
“No!” I protested, tears stinging my eyes. “That’s not what this is about!”
His hand shot out, gripping my neck—not tightly, but enough to make me freeze. His face was mere inches from mine, his fury palpable.
“If this is your way of being desperate, Ayla,” he hissed, his voice low and venomous, “if you think for one second that pretending Prisca wants us together will make me love you, you’re pathetic.”
The tears spilled over, but I refused to break his gaze. “That’s not what I’m doing. I don’t care if you love me or not, Jake. This isn’t about us. It’s about the twins.”
He released me abruptly, stepping back as if my touch had burned him.
“I will never love you,” he said, his words like knives carving into my chest.
I stared at him, my heart breaking all over again. The pain was unbearable, but I held my head high, refusing to let him see just how deeply he’d hurt me.
“Fine,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I’m not here for you. I’m here for them. And I’ll protect them with or without your help.”
Turning on my heel, I left the office, my vision blurred by tears.
The moment I was alone, I let out a choked sob, leaning against the wall for support. My body shook as the weight of his words crashed over me.
I promised myself then and there that I wouldn’t let him break me. I would stay for the twins, for Prisca’s memory, for the pack. But Jake? He could rot in his own misery for all I cared.
I wiped my tears and straightened, determination hardening my resolve. If Jake wanted to push me away, fine. But I wouldn’t let him stand in the way of what truly mattered.
This wasn’t about him. I had to stay for the twins they were special and if they needed me to protect them because their father was being an ignorant ass then I would stay.
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