( Continuation of Percy's flashback) Rosa slowly stripped for Percy.She started by unbuttoning her top, one button at a time, drawing out the moment as her fingers skillfully undid each clasp while she bit her lips.She swayed her hips in time with the sultry music, her eyes locked onto Percy's, holding his gaze with a smoldering intensity.Her top slipped off her shoulders, revealing the smooth, tanned skin underneath, before she let it fall to the floor.Percy's eyes darkened with desire as he watched her, his breath growing heavier with each passing second. Rosa's hands moved to her skirt, sliding it down her hips with a slow, sensual grace. She turned around, giving him a full view of her curves, and bent slightly, making sure he got an eyeful as she stepped out of the skirt.She stood in just her lace bra and panties, the dim light casting shadows that accentuated every line and curve of her body.She reached behind her back, unclasping her bra with a practiced ease, and let it
Back at the Rodger Mansion ( Present) - Mercy hurled herself at Elizabeth, her hands striking out in wild, desperate fury. "How dare you frame Percy!" she screamed, her voice breaking. "How could you accuse him of such horrible things?" She was jumping and shrieking. Elizabeth stood firm absolutely unshaken. "Mercy, stop! Listen to me!" she pleaded, trying to grasp Mercy's flailing hands.There was a hint of sadness somewhere in her tone. Jake and Phill moved quickly to restrain their sister, pulling her back as she continued to thrash and scream. "You’re lying! You’re trying to tear our family apart!" Mercy sobbed as she pounded around."Mercy, please," Elizabeth's voice was softer but she held her daughter with her gaze. "I wish it weren't true, but it is.I wish I was lying.I wish I was wrong. Percy is behind all of this.I know this shreds your heart but it is what it is." It took a long time for Mercy's resistance to wane. She continued to struggle, her energy slowly draini
Rosa was sprawled on a couch in a room, that looked like it belonged to some dingy motel. The lights were off and it was barely lit by a flickering TV screen. Her eyes were glued on to the screen as she sat there, munching on popcorn. The room looked like it was in a mess. There were packets of chips and chocolates everywhere. Empty bottles of milk and beer was stacked in the corner. It was clear there had been no housekeeper in that room for a few days. She sat there with two burly men sprawled lazily on the floor. Suddenly, a pathetic whimpering sound cut through the stale air, coming from the room right next to them. Annoyed, Rosa smacked one of the men on the back of his head. "Get your lazy ass up and shut that kid up!" she snapped. The man grumbled but got to his feet, lumbering into the other room as he fumbled with the keys on the door.It was locked but he opened it with a kick. "Hey! Pipe down in there!" he barked. But the whimpering only grew louder. Rosa made a d
The police car hurtled through the city streets, sirens blaring and lights flashing. Jake sat in the passenger seat beside the cop who was driving, his heart pounding with every turn and swerve. The control team at headquarters worked feverishly to triangulate the exact location of the phone number that they traced from the number Lea was using. Each passing second felt like an eternity as they inched closer to a breakthrough."How much longer?" Jake demanded, gripping the edge of his seat. His voice was strained, his patience was wearing thin. The officer glanced at him briefly, then focused back on the road. "They're working on it. These things take time." "We don't have time!I thought I gave you enough window while having that conversation with Lea. " Jake snapped. " My child's life is on the line." But his phone rang right at that moment. " Jake, when was the last time you talked with Lea? " Mercy's frenzied voice can from the other side. " Why? Just now. It has been only a few
It only took a few moments for their eyes to adjust to the dim light. The stench from the room made both of them flinch and then Jake's eyes fell on the screen. He could see Lea desperately driving. They were in the right room, there was no mistake. Jake immediately called her number. " Lea, we found the motel. I can see you on the screen. There is a camera behind your seat." Jake fumbled. Lea immediately dropped her act, her eyes building out with fear. " Jake, where is Kai? Did you find him? " She started crying and Jake turned around to look at the officer. He had gone inside the other room but didn't come out. Jake dropped the call and went to check on him. The officer was bent down, checking something on the ground. Dried blood, urine and defecation. His eyes met Jake apologetically. " They took him? " Jake gasped unable to take the situation out right. Just then the police sirens started blazing from everywhere. " Jake hurry. We need to move. They couldn't have gone much f
"Rosa, you're making a mistake. This won't end well for you. Let Kai go, and we might help you."Rosa's grip tightened on Kai, her knuckles were turning completely white. "Help me? You think I want your help? I don't need anyone. I don't want anyone. I want revenge and it will be quenched with blood. A life for a life. Say what? Isn't that a fair deal? "But before anybody could react,sirens of the back up police cars echoed around the warehouse, their blue and red lights casting shadows across the dilapidated walls, indicating that the warehouse had been surrounded. Lea and Phill burst inside, accompanied by the heavily armed officers. Rosa's face contorted at the sight ."Drop your weapons, all of you!" Rosa barked.She looked wild and her fear was infused with fury."Let me out safely, or I swear I'll kill this little brat on the spot before ending my own life!" The cops stood their ground, undeterred by her threats, guns pointing towards her head. But Lea couldn't let them. She ste
Jake's POV He was reluctant to let go of my fingers. He held my fingers with his little hands. He held them tight. He smiled at me whenever he fluttered his eyes. We rushed him straight to the hospital but he kept drifting in and out of consciousness. Phill drove us as fast as he could. Lea kept holding Kai's other hand till we walked inside the emergency room and Phill barked orders. It seemed like Lea had been holding on just so we could reach the emergency. " Lea! " Phill grabbed her right before she hit the ground. " Damn! She hardly has any pulse! " I felt like the universe was playing some kind of a stupid game or something. " I will take, Lea. You stay with Kai. " Guess I didn't get to make the choices. Phill rushed, laying Lea down on a stretcher. Two nurses came to take Kai away from me as well. But Kai's grip on my finger was firm. " Let me go in along with him. Please. "I begged. " We are extremely sorry. It's for the patient's best interest. You can come insid
Lea's POV "I wriggled in my bed, trying to sleep but there was this sharp pain in my abdomen and I kept twisting and turning but it was getting more and more unbearable. I tried to move my hand but felt like one hand was tied with something that cut into my skin as I tried to move my fingers. I could feel something wet between my legs and I tried to touch that spot with my free hand. It was wet and I brought that hand close to my eyes. My vision was absolutely blurry. Blood. There was blood on my hand. I tried to scream but my voice got muffled with the sound of water. I was chocking. I couldn't breathe. I wanted to scream for help but I couldn't even make a single sound. It felt like I was back in the hospital bed in labour. Labour? My baby? Kai? Where was Kai? Did I loose him? I desperation made my heart beat in my ears. I moved my head back and forth trying to force myself up and then my eyes opened. And I was slapped in the face by a blazing white light. " My eyes snapp
A month after Lea's death - Jake stood in front of Lea's grave, holding onto the bouquet that he had brought. He had her favourite box of chocolate, custom made by the old baker lady back in their home town. He brought her flowers everyday after seeing Kai off at his daycare. He spent the rest of his day talking to her before going back to picking Kai up again. He brought her all the things he had promised to get her one day when they were little. He was trying to give her everything he always wanted to give her but never really could. Today was no different. As if Lea's death wasn't enough of a blow, after the postmortem Jake was told that Lea was pregnant with their second child. It didn't make things any easier only driving another dagger through Jake's heart. Perhaps it was just because Kai existed that he could move forward.He didn't want to but he had to for the sake of the little guy. With Lea gone, there was no meaning left in this world. All colours were gone. It was o
" NOOOOOO! " Jake flung himself forward trying to put himself between Lea and the bullet but it was too late. The bullet hit her right on point blank. She fell right in front of his eyes,blood gushing out like a crimson fountain. " LEAAAAAA!!! "Jake's voice broke with the sheer intensity of his scream as he ripped his white shirt and pressed it over her forehead. " CALL FOR AN AMBULANCE! NOW!!! " He barked, desperately clinging onto Lea's body as Kai grabbed his shoulder and began to whimper. " It's alright, baby. Don't worry. Mommy will be fine. " Jake could barely hold onto his child as his hands started to tremble. Mercy fell down on her knees, probably the only one whose rationale was still working. She closed Lea's lifeless eyes as her body whacked with tremors as she cried.Lea was no more. It was instant death. " Mercy! What are you doing? " Jake shoved her hand away from Lea's body. " Somebody please call an ambulance! " He kept screaming as Kai's cries reached the breaking po
Lea's POV I stood in front of the grand mirror.Today, I would marry Jake, the love of my life, and the father of my Kai. Our journey had been anything but normal but it had brought us to this breathtaking moment. My dress was a masterpiece, a custom creation by one of the most renowned designers in the town. The silk fabric clung to my figure, adorned with intricate lace and delicate pearls that sparkled as I moved. The train flowed behind me like a river and the veil was draped over my shoulders, waiting to be lifted.I felt goosebumps at the thought. "Lea, you look like an absolute dream," Lisa said, fussing with the final touches on my veil. She stepped back, her eyes bright with unshed tears. "Mr.Rodger is not going to know what hit him." I laughed, trying to steady my breathing. "You think?" "I know," she replied, giving me a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder."Wow, Lea. You're stunning. Seriously, Jake's going to lose it when he sees you."The door opened and my maid of h
Suddenly Jake leaped off the bed, crossing over Lea as he did. He went for the cupboards, yanking them open, rummaging through the drawer as he did. Lea raised herself up on one elbow, watching him closely. " Jake, what's going on? " She asked with one brow raised. " I swear it has to be somewhere in here. I left it just as it was. " Jake kept searching not looking back at her. Lea signed as she got up from the bed, still very naked and walked right over. " If you tell me what you are looking for, maybe I can help. Is it your wallet? " Jake yanked another section of the cupboard open and Lea stopped at the sight of all the neatly arranged laundry. It was her side of the cupboard. Absolutely mess-free and tidy, just like she had left it years ago. She left Jake as he went through the night stand , touching the fabrics and checking if they were still in the same sequence like she left them. " They are untouched. Why didn't you move them? " Lea's voice was barely above a whisper
Lea's POV His kiss soothed me a little. Those things had been bottled up inside and it was high time I let it escape. Tears streamed down my face as memories I had tried so hard to suppress resurfaced. I couldn't hold back the sobs that wracked my body. Jake's presence beside me was both comforting and agonizing."Lea," he begged, his voice trembling slightly, "talk to me." I shook my head, unable to find the words to express the turmoil inside me. Instead, I let out a choked sob, burying my face in my hands. Jake's arms wrapped around me, pulling me close. His embrace was warm and strong."I'm here," he murmured, his lips brushing against my hair."I'm not going anywhere." His words broke something inside me. I clung to him, my fingers digging into his shirt as if he were the only thing keeping me from falling apart. His scent filled me with comfort as I burried my nose over his neck while he nibbled at mine. His lips slowly found it's way back to mine. But before he could kiss
Jake's POV " Yes, we are coming right now. Yes please. Keep the keys ready. " I called the old watchman because it had been ages since I last went there. Lea hadn't spoken for the rest of the drive and I knew for certain there was something cooking in her little head. I wasn't complaining. She had been through a lot and I was happy to be of any serve to her, any use... anything to make my Lea happy again. Make her smile and dance like when she was a little girl. My crazy, sweet, innocent Lea. She had been leaning on the seat but as soon as we entered the driveway towards the apartment she sat up, rolled down the window and stretched her neck out. " Lea, careful... " I tried to pull her back but she opened the car door before I could pull up and made a run for it. I tossed the keys to the valley with much frustration and ran after her. " Lea, wait" She topped right in front of the elevator and turned around. I was running so fast, I almost banged into her. She pulled my hand int
Jake's POV " Of course you get that job, whether you like it or not. " I wasn't even lying. Who better than Phil to look after my little one. I knew he would always have his back, no matter what. Phill chuckled before turning around. " By the way, did you sign the papers before coming inside? " He asked me and it took me off guard. " Papers? What papers? " " Discharge papers. Didn't they tell you before you entered? " He made a disappointed face and looked out of the door even though he could see no one. " These incompetent workers. They can't get one thing... " " Discharge papers? Who is getting discharged? I thought you needed around a week to recover. " Lea interrupted looking straight at Phill. " I am not getting discharged. You are! " Phill pointed at Lea but she stood up. " Me? Oh, alright. Makes sense. " Phill turned his gaze back to me and said, " Get the paper works done and take her home. I think I need to get some sleep... " " Take who home? " Lea stood face t
Phill's POV I had to do it. I knew how much I was going to suffer after that kiss ended. I didn't want it to end. I didn't want to let go of her hand. I didn't want to see her with anyone else, even if it was my own brother. I knew I was finally letting the dam break. I had been holding back way too long I couldn't do it anymore. I had to let her know. The moment her taste touched me, I lost track of everything. I lost control of myself. I lost my sense of the place. I kissed her and she let me and I was grateful for that. I was half expecting her to shove me back but she didn't. She held me, held my hand as I took from her what I needed. My life force. She was like an EpiPen bringing me back to life. " Phill... " She finally mumbled against my lips, her hands on my chest, gently holding them but not pushing. It took way too much of my energy to stop and finally look up at her face. I couldn't read her expression. Was it shock, fear, disgust, sympathy.... I could not understan
Lea's POV " Kai... " The moment my eyes opened I threw my hands in all directions, trying to get up and look for Kai. But i didn't have to look much further. He was right across and I could see him in the other room. My baby was latched to the beeping machines with pipes and wires and what not. And right beside him was Phill. He sat at his head side, his hand gently gliding up and down through his hair. Phill turned towards me with a smile when he realised I was up. My head was still groggy because of the sedative the nurse had injected me with but I was feeling all better and alright. " Lea, you are up! Are you feeling alright? "He asked me with that infectious smile. I should have been the one to ask him that question. He was the one with a wound. He had just saved my child's life all over again, perhaps for the zillionth time. " I am fine. How are you feeling? How is Kai holding up?" I walked towards where he was. He was in a wheelchair, I noticed when I went near. He