PART 4-CHAPTER 178 JESS

Bryan paced back and forth in front of me, his boots thudding softly against the cabin floor. The gun in his hand swung with every agitated step, his fingers tight around the handle. His movements were restless like he didn't quite know what to do with himself, but his eyes- those cold, dead eyes-flickered with something raw. He was muttering; almost to himself, like he was lost in a world, I couldn't reach.

"I'm a good guy," he said, his voice cracking slightly as he stared at the floor, then up at the ceiling, before

his gaze darted toward me. "I always was. I would've taken care of you, Jess. You know that, right? You could've had a good life with me. We could've been happy. We still can be."

I forced myself to stay still, my body stiff in the chair as his words washed over me. I'could feel the ropes biting into my wrists, but I had to stay calm. Slowly, carefully, I flexed my fingers, trying to work the knots loose without drawing his attention. Each tiny movement sent a

arms.

Bryan kept pacing, his voice rising and falling as he rambled. "We could stay here, in this cabin. It's peaceful, right? No one would bother us. We could have a family, Jess. You and me. We could raise our kids here. They'd be safe. Protected."

My stomach twisted at the words. The idea of being trapped here, with him, forever-it was suffocating.

PART 4 CHAPTER 178.

I could free myself. I bit down on the inside of my cheek, trying to keep my breathing steady and not let him see what was doing. "Jess," he

keep you safe.

fingers fumbled, and the rope tugged a little too sharply before

front of me, crouching down, his face inches from mine. His

if scolding a child.

through my shirt. My heart slammed against my chest, and I held

murmur, "If you're not going to decide to stay with me, Jess, I have to make sure you don't go anywhere. I have to make sure no one

away. I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction

29 JAN

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CHAPTER 178

the gun against my chest, and I could see the conflict in his eyes, the madness that had taken over whatever humanity he might have had left. He wiped at his face with his free hand, but the tears kept coming, his sobs turning his words into br "If it's not me," he whispered, choking

face now, his body trembling with each breath. He looked like he was falling apart

the, cold of

This was it.

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