Page 55

I can't wrap my head around how he managed to escape; he was firmly chained. How on earth did he slip out of those restraints? And how did he even make his way into the garden? I knew better than to leave those same two incompetent men in charge of watching over Jack. Once again, my poor judgment nearly cost Raine her life.

Raine is trembling uncontrollably, and I can't fathom his twisted reasoning for subjecting her to such terror. It just doesn’t add up. In moments like this, I want to scream in frustration at myself. Why didn’t I seize the opportunity to let Raine finish him off when we had the chance?

Unable to cope with the task myself, I send Tony to handle the two dickheads who were meant to be keeping a close eye on him. Right now, I can’t focus on that, there’s far too much on my plate. We’re in the middle of planning a funeral, and that’s something we simply can’t postpone. Howard is in dire straits, the uncertainty of how his condition will evolve lingers over us like a dark cloud. Meanwhile, Raine is just trying to find a way to lay her mom to rest with dignity.

To ensure everyone’s safety, I call in extra security. I also need to have a few of them investigate how Jack managed to infiltrate this place in the first place and, more importantly, where he is now. Is he still lurking around here? The thought sends a shiver down my spine. I’ve made the decision to keep Raine close by, just as a precaution.

As we make our way back downstairs, I hold Raine’s hand tightly. We run through the checklist for the day, but I can sense her discomfort; fear is etched on her face, and who can blame her? The uncertainty is suffocating, and I wish she didn't have to bear this weight. If only…I can’t afford to finish that thought. It’s precisely what Jack wants, to instill fear within us.

Rose is due to arrive shortly, and I need to head to the back rooms of the funeral home. Raine has never stepped foot back there, and I wish to shield her from the sight of her mother in such a vulnerable state. My instinct is to lock her in one of the farthest back rooms, bolt the door, and keep her away from all this chaos, but I know she wouldn’t agree to that. Instead, I ask her to stay in her dad’s room, ensuring she has Linda by her side for support.

To maintain a solid line of defense, I station three fully capable men at the door. I need to make certain that Jack won’t stand a chance of getting past them. Her safety is my top priority. I hesitate outside the room, my hand lingering on the door handle. The weight of the moment hangs heavy in the air; I can feel it in the pit of my stomach. I really don’t want to leave here, but I know I have no choice. I’m the only one who can sign off on Rose’s body. Gritting my teeth, I turn away and make my way toward the back rooms. Each step I take feels heavier than the last, and I can’t shake the nagging sense of dread clenching in my gut. This entire situation is a chaotic mess, a nightmare that seems relentless. We need to find Jack, confront him, and put an end to this once and for all. It’s simply unbearable to keep living like this, something has to give.

When I finally arrive, the transport team is already waiting for me, expressionless but ready. We quickly dive into the paperwork, the tedious nature of it all gnawing at my patience. Every signature feels like an acknowledgment of the pain surrounding us, something I dread but know must be done. After everything is finalized, I take a deep breath and gently bring Rose inside. Carefully, I hand her over to Daniel, my trusted man who is tasked with preparing Rose. There's a deep sadness in parting with her, but I know she’s in capable hands.

As I head back upstairs, a piercing scream cuts through the stillness like a knife. My heart begins to race, pounding violently against my chest as I quicken my pace. I burst through the doors with more force than intended and my eyes fall upon Raine, standing by the window, her screams echoing against the walls. Linda is behind her, desperately trying to calm her down. Without hesitation, I rush to Raine and pull her into my embrace, tucking her gently under my chin. “Shh, I’m here now,” I murmur softly, attempting to soothe her trembling form. She sobs into my chest, every cry laced with fear and confusion. I direct my gaze to Linda, who looks just as bewildered. “What happened?” I ask urgently. She shakes her head, bewildered and frightened. She claims everything was fine until Raine looked out the window, and then chaos started.

Gently, I excuse Linda from the room with a grateful nod, kneeling in front of Raine to meet her gaze. “What happened, Sweetheart?” I ask, my voice a whisper laden with concern. Through her tears, Raine hesitantly recounts her experience. She tells me that when she looked out the window, a dark figure had suddenly appeared before her. In that instant, the figure had slapped a note against the glass, the words ‘SEE YOU SOON’ glaring ominously. As she speaks, her sobs erupt again, and I feel my heart ache for her. I do my best to comfort her, all the while pulling out my phone and texting security, informing them of the distressing events. They respond quickly, telling me that no one has shown up on the cameras despite their thorough checks, but they will conduct a sweep of the property immediately.

Knowing Daniel will need a couple of hours with Rose, I hope that’ll be enough time for Raine to settle and say her goodbyes. I scoop her up in my arms, contemplating that maybe a hot bath will calm her frayed nerves. I wrestle with my own doubts, wishing I could fully believe what she has told me. I feel horrible for questioning her reality, especially since the last two times we found nothing. Perhaps all the stress of today is simply getting to her after all. Carefully, I carry her straight to the large bathroom, setting her down on the sauna bench while I fill the tub with warm water. Raine is still sniffling, but her sobbing has ceased. Since she recounted her experience, she hasn’t said another word. I pray she can push through this; I would never forgive myself if she blamed herself for what happened.

Once the bath is full, I help her undress, ensuring she slips into the soothing water. Wearily, I take a seat on the edge of the tub, watching quietly as steam rises around us. I lean closer, and grasp her small hand gently. “You can lean on me for anything, you know that, right?” I assure her, wanting her to feel my unwavering support. She nods slightly, and I place a quick reassuring kiss on her cheek. Straightening back up, I observe as she washes away the remnants of today’s distress.

Once she finishes, I hold the towel out for her, wrapping it snugly around her as she steps out of the tub. “Please stay here; I’ll go grab you some clothes,” I instruct her, then rush down the hallway to the bedroom. My mind races as I sift through her belongings, finally settling on a beautiful black dress, the fabric soft and comforting, accompanied by matching underwear. Satisfied with my choices, I hurry back, eager to see her smile again.

But the sight that greets me is shocking. Water is strewn across the bathroom floor, splattered like a chaotic painting, and Raine is nowhere to be found. Panic surges through me as I shout her name, but there’s no response. My eyes scan the room desperately, and that’s when I notice wet footprints leading out of the bathroom. Where could she have gone?

Without a moment to lose, I follow the footprints downstairs, calling her name frantically, but they dry up right at the door to the garden. Did she really dash out of the bathroom in just a towel? Confusion swirls in my mind when Linda appears beside me, her face mirroring my alarm. I explain what happened, and together, we step outside, where I catch sight of another wet patch leading deeper into the sunflowers. My heart races even more as I text security again, time is of the essence. We need to search this garden and find her before anything happens.