Page 33 of Forbidden Fruit

"I have every right," I cut her off.

Jack steps closer, his breath hot with alcohol. "I get it now. You want her for yourself, don't you? Pathetic old man. She's half your age."

"She deserves better than someone who can't even notice when she's in pain," I say quietly.

"You son of a bitch." Jack lunges forward, swinging wildly.

Though it's been years since I've been in an actual fight, some instincts are ingrained. I evade his punch, and before I realize it, my fist connects with Jack's face with a gratifying crunch.

He staggers backward, blood streaming from his nose, shock replacing anger in his eyes.

"You broke my nose!" he wails, hands cupping his face.

"And you broke her heart," I reply, flexing my fingers.

"You're insane," Jack spits, blood dripping between his fingers. "She doesn't even like you. You're just my mother's ex-husband."

Kay rushes to Jack's side, pulling a silk handkerchief from her pocket and pressing it to his nose. "Look what you've done! This is assault!"

I stand my ground, adrenaline coursing through me. My knuckles throb, but there's a strange satisfaction in the pain. "Call it whatever you want. You're both leaving first thing tomorrow."

"This is about your ego," Kay hisses, her carefully cultivated accent slipping as her anger rises. "You can't stand that Jack has something you want."

"What I can't stand is watching two people manipulate someone who deserves genuine love." The words come out before I can filter them, raw and honest.

Jack's eyes widen, realization dawning through his pain. "You're in love with her. That's disgusting."

"What's disgusting is how you treat her," I say, my voice dropping to a dangerous quiet. "Like she's a box to check on your list of achievements."

A sound from the staircase makes us all turn. Becca stands there, her eyes red-rimmed but her posture straight. She's changed into a pair of leggings, a tank top and a loose ponytail. Even tear-stained, she's breathtaking.

"I heard shouting," she says softly, her gaze landing on Jack's bloodied face before shifting to my bruised knuckles.

Jack immediately pushes away from his mother, stepping toward Becca with his hand outstretched. "Becca, baby, look what he did to me. He's lost his mind."

I say nothing, letting her see the truth for herself.

She descends the last few steps, keeping a careful distance from all of us. "I think we should all get some sleep. Separately."

"You're not seriously staying here?" Jack demands. "After he attacked me?"

Becca looks at me, really looks at me, perhaps for the first time. I don't know what she sees in my face, but something passes between us—an understanding, a possibility.

"I'm not going anywhere with you, Jack," she says, her voice quiet but firm. "I need space to think."

Kay makes a dismissive sound. "This is ridiculous. Becca, dear, you're upset. Let's all calm down and?—"

"No." Becca's interruption is gentle but resolute. "I've been calm for too long.”

Jack's face contorts with rage. "You're choosing him? After everything I've done for you?"

"Done for me? You’ve done nothing for me. And I'm choosing myself," Becca replies, and I see a strength in her that makes my chest ache. "For once."

I move to the side, giving her space to pass.

As she walks past me, I catch the scent of her shampoo—something floral and fresh that somehow cuts through the metallic tang of blood in the air. Our eyes meet for a fraction of a second, and I fight the urge to reach for her hand.

"This is bullshit," Jack snarls, his voice thick through his swelling nose. "Becca, we're leaving. Now."

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