Rose Without Her Jack

Three days before my wedding, my younger sister staged a scene—one where I supposedly abandoned her in the mountains.

She claimed I locked her in a cabin, left her to be nearly assaulted, and that she barely escaped with her life.

Furious, my fiancé dragged me up the mountain and locked me in that same cabin.

He said, "Wendy, a woman as vicious as you won't learn her lesson without punishment. I already told you I'd marry you. Why go after Chloe? Since you're so desperate to climb your way up, you can stay here until the wedding day."

I begged him, over and over, but my scorched throat could only force out hoarse, grating sounds.

Three days later, Mickey O'Brien stood at the altar in his suit, waiting for me.

What he got instead was my remains.

Night fell, and the villa was swallowed in darkness.

Mickey O'Brien stormed upstairs, his face like stone, fury radiating from him.

He kicked open the bedroom door, yelling, "Wendy, haven't you learned your lesson? You actually dared to provoke Chloe again? Do you even realize how weak she is? Now she's fainted from the stress, and you really have the nerve to act like nothing happened…"

Click. The light snapped on.

His words caught in his throat.

He paused, then pushed open the bathroom door.

Still, no sign of me.

His expression twisted, anger burning deeper now. Just as he stepped out of the room, Becky Liddle, the housekeeper, rushed toward him in a panic.

"Sir, Madam hasn't returned since the day you took her away. We've tried calling, but the phone doesn't go through. Do you think something might have happened to her?"

Mickey's brows drew together. A flicker of concern flashed in his eyes—but in the next second, it vanished behind his usual cold detachment.

"What could possibly happen to her? I only left her on the mountain. If Chloe could make it back, why couldn't she? She's probably off somewhere enjoying herself."

Just as he finished speaking, his phone buzzed. He glanced down—several bank transaction notifications.

His face darkened.

"Typical. Wendy never learns."

He called his assistant, William Benson, his voice cold as ice.

"Freeze all her cards. I want to see how long she can keep playing carefree without money."

On the other end, William stood in the dark woods, a chill crawling up his spine.

"Mr. O'Brien, I'm at the mountain cabin now. Wendy's been locked in here for two days. Do you think… maybe it's time to unlock the door?"

Mickey let out a cold laugh.

"Unlock it? She's already run off by now. And you went all the way up there? What if some wild animal dragged you off, you idiot? Get down here. If something happens, it's not a workplace injury."

Another call came in. He hung up on William and looked at the screen. Seeing the contact name, a faint smile lifted his lips, reaching even his eyes.

"Hey, you're awake? Don't be scared, I'll be right there. I'm almost there. What do you want to eat? I'll bring it for you… Don't mention that vicious woman. People like her live forever. She'll be just fine."

As he hurried off, eager to leave, Becky stood watching his back. She shook her head, sighing softly. "What a sin."

I curled my lips, trying to press down the ache blooming in my chest.

Mickey probably still didn't know—I was already dead. Dead on that desolate mountain, inside that decaying wooden cabin.

For some reason, even in death, my soul wouldn't disperse. It drifted, unwilling, tethered to him.

The moment Mickey stepped through the door, Chloe Capri threw herself into his arms, voice trembling.

"Mickey, you're finally here. I was so scared. I had another nightmare. Tell me—tell me I escaped. Tell me I wasn't violated, right?"

She clutched at him, desperate for reassurance. Her doe-like eyes shimmered with fear.

Mickey wrapped her in his arms and gently stroked her back.

"You got away. No one laid a finger on you. Don't be afraid, Rose. I'm here."

Rose?

Mickey, the woman in your arms—do you really believe she's your beloved Rose?

Don't you know Rose is already dead? You killed her.

My eyes stung as I watched another woman take my name and identity. And I could do nothing.

Chloe curled against him like a wounded creature.

"Mickey, am I really that awful? Is that why my sister treated me that way? That night, I almost… I almost died."

She sobbed delicately and pitifully.

Mickey's voice gentled as he comforted her, but his eyes turned cold.

I knew. He was thinking of me.