Jade remembered her words clearly, echoing in his mind as if they had been carved into him.
"If Silas never returns... or if he dies... I'll stay single. For the rest of my life."
Those words had shattered any lingering hope he had held.
'There was never a place for me,' he accepted, bitterness and peace intertwining within him.
And so… he let go. It had hurt more than anything, but he had accepted a simple truth.
A person cannot have everything. Lifting his gaze, Jade looked at Frank, his expression firm now, resolved.
"I can get you out," he said.
Frank's head snapped up, his eyes widening in shock.
"But there are conditions."
The moment those words left Jade's mouth, a chill ran down Frank's spine. 'No …'
Horror crept into his expression as realization dawned.
His son… was sacrificing something.
"I won't accept it!" Frank burst out, shaking his head frantically. "No... whatever it is, I won't..."
Jade cut him off, his voice turning sharp, unwavering. "Listen first."
