Chapter 5: Whispers in the Quiet
Clara's POV
Jackson's face, hard and shadowed in the dim light, made my blood run cold. He stood beneath the old oak tree, his arms crossed, a cruel smile playing on his lips.
"Jackson?" I whispered, my voice trembling. "What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for you, Clara," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I knew you couldn't resist my invitation."
"You sent that text?" I asked, my voice incredulous. "Why?"
"Because I wanted to see you," he said, stepping closer. "I wanted to remind you what you're missing."
"I'm not missing anything," I said, my voice firm. "I'm happy."
"Happy?" he scoffed. "You call this happy? Sneaking around with Lily's brother, betraying your best friend?"
My cheeks burned with shame. "It's none of your business," I said, my voice shaking.
"It is my business," he said, his eyes narrowing. "You're mine, Clara. You always have been."
"I'm not yours," I said, my voice rising. "I never was."
He laughed, a cold, harsh sound. "You think you can just walk away from me? After everything we had?"
"We had nothing," I said, my voice trembling. "We made a mistake."
He stepped closer, his face inches from mine. "You'll regret saying that," he whispered, his voice low and threatening.
Before I could react, he grabbed my arm, his grip tight and painful. "You're coming with me," he said, his voice hard.
"No," I said, struggling against his grip. "Let me go."
He tightened his grip, his fingers digging into my skin. "You don't have a choice," he said, his voice cruel.
Suddenly, a voice cut through the darkness. "Let her go, Jackson."
Olivia stepped out of the shadows, his face hard and angry. He walked towards us, his movements fluid and dangerous.
Jackson's grip loosened slightly. "Olivia," he said, his voice laced with venom. "What a surprise."
"Let her go," Olivia repeated, his voice low and dangerous.
Jackson laughed. "Or what?" he asked, his voice mocking. "You'll hurt me?"
"I won't ask again," Olivia said, his eyes burning with anger.
Jackson hesitated, then released my arm. "Fine," he said, his voice bitter. "She's not worth it."
He turned and walked away, disappearing into the darkness. Olivia watched him go, his jaw tight, his eyes filled with a dark fury.
Then, he turned to me, his eyes softening. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle.
I nodded, my voice trembling. "Yes," I whispered. "Thank you."
He pulled me into his arms, holding me close. "He won't hurt you again," he murmured, his voice rough. "I won't let him."
I clung to him, needing his warmth, his strength. "What was he doing here?" I asked, my voice trembling.
"He wanted to see you," Olivia said, his voice low. "He's not ready to let you go."
"I don't want him," I said, my voice breaking. "I want you."
The words hung in the air, heavy and charged. Olivia's arms tightened around me, his body trembling slightly.
"Clara," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "Are you sure?"
I nodded, my eyes filled with tears. "Yes," I whispered. "I'm sure."
He pulled away, his eyes searching mine. "I love you," he said, his voice low and intense. "I've loved you for so long."
"I love you too," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I'm sorry it took me so long to say it."
He smiled, a soft, tender smile that made my heart ache. "It doesn't matter," he said, his voice gentle. "You're here now."
He took my hand, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through me. "Come with me," he said, his voice low. "I want to show you something."
He led me through the park, his hand tight in mine. The night was dark and still, the silence broken only by the soft rustling of leaves.
He stopped beneath a large oak tree, the same tree where Jackson had stood moments before. The moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting a soft, ethereal glow.
"Look up," he said, his voice soft.
I looked up, and my breath caught in my throat. The sky was filled with stars, a million tiny lights twinkling in the darkness.
"It's beautiful," I whispered, my voice awestruck.
"It is," he said, his voice low. "But not as beautiful as you."
He turned to me, his eyes filled with a raw, desperate emotion. "Clara," he said, his voice trembling. "I want to be with you. I want to build a life with you."
"I want that too," I whispered, my voice breaking. "But what about Lily? What about our friendship?"
He hesitated, his eyes filled with pain. "I don't know," he said, his voice barely audible. "But I can't lose you, Clara. I won't."
"We'll figure it out," I said, my voice firm. "Together."
He nodded, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and fear. "Together," he repeated, his voice soft.
He leaned in, his lips brushing against mine. The kiss was soft, tender, a silent promise.
We stayed like that for a long time, holding each other in the quiet darkness, lost in the magic of the moment. Then, a sound broke the silence.
The sound of a phone ringing, a harsh, jarring noise that shattered the fragile peace.
Olivia pulled away, his eyes filled with a sudden dread. He reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone.
He looked at the screen, his face paling. "It's Lily," he said, his voice hoarse.
He hesitated, then answered the call. "Lily?" he said, his voice trembling. "What's wrong?"
He listened for a moment, his face growing paler with each passing second. Then, he hung up the phone, his eyes filled with a dark, terrible fear.
"What is it?" I asked, my voice trembling.
"She's gone," he said, his voice barely audible. "Lily's gone."