Chapter Text
The only thing that could be heard was the strong wind that whipped the place with such intensity that everything around them trembled. It was a fact that there was a storm brewing outside.
A question emerged in the brunette's mind: Could it have been different? Maybe yes, maybe not. Suddenly, she felt something sharp that brushed her neck, and then she perceived a body behind her, a presence that, at another time, could have made her feel a sweet warmth on her nerve endings. But at that moment, she only felt the cold of the end.
—Have I ever told you that you have very beautiful hands? Maybe you could put down that beautiful, sharp knife, and solve this in another way.— suggested the brunette, trying to break down some of the walls that she knew well that the other had erected against her. It could not be any other way; she had betrayed the most sacred code: trust. Her voice was impregnated with calm, although deep down she knew that danger lurked in every word.
—One more word and I'll cut your pretty neck. You'll do what I say as soon as I say it, and I don't want any games or dirty tricks, Kim.— the brunette exclaimed in an inflexible tone, her gaze intense and determined. She took a step to the side, keeping her gaze fixed on the edge of the knife, which shone ominously against the brunette's whitish skin until she met her feline eyes. The silence that followed was tense, full of latent threats, while both were aware that a single false move could unleash the worst.
Jennie remained silent, aware that the words had been trapped in her throat, conditioned by her incessant need to irritate the person in front of her: her wife, Lalisa Manobal. The tension in the air was palpable, and the desire to provoke a friction, a sharp exchange, fought against the delicacy of the situation. Deep inside, she knew that every second of silence increased the emotional burden, even though her instinct urged her to unleash the storm
—It's okay, honey. I'm at your service.—the shorter one replied, with a slight tone of sarcasm in her voice and a crooked smile that hid hidden intentions.
-—Don't call me that, Kim. I want you to keep quiet and start walking.— Lalisa replied, her voice firm and authoritative. The atmosphere became even more tense, as if each word thrown into the air was a thread that could break at any moment. Jennie felt the mixture of defiance and attraction in her wife's gaze, and although she knew she had to obey, a twisted desire to play with fire was beating inside her.
—Lili, what are you supposed to do? Hand me over to the authorities?.— the brunette mocked with a dry and biting voice - Hand me over to my enemy?
Jennie moved forward, following Lisa's trail, who slowly backed away, causing the edge of the knife to dig a little deeper into her skin. A delicate thread of blood began to slide, getting lost between her breasts and gently staining the half-buttoned white shirt. The situation was becoming more and more intense, and although Jennie knew she was playing with fire, the adrenaline of the moment kept her on her toes, fueling both the danger and the desire to confront her wife.
Lisa's eyes filled with tears in an instant, and Jennie stopped in her tracks, feeling a pang of guilt. She, more than anyone, knew that her wife's kind and warm heart could not withstand any kind of confrontation, especially against the one who had sworn loyalty and love to her that evening, surrounded by the people they loved most. The tension dissipated momentarily, revealing the fragility of their connection, as Jennie struggled between her desire to provoke her and the deep love she felt for her.
Jennie vividly remembered that she was not dealing with the malicious people in her work circle, those whose hearts were as rotten as her own. No, she was dealing with her sweet wife, whom she had deceived for so long out of her selfishness. If she were in Lisa's position and someone had lied to her in such a way, she would have acted with fury and vengeance, making that person an easy target. Yet here he was, in the middle of his kitchen, trying to distance his wife while holding a knife she had sharpened herself last week. The irony, so absurd, made her question every decision, every lie. Was it possible that the knife’s edge reflected not only betrayal, but also her fear of losing what she once considered unbreakable?
—Honey, put the knife down, please... let's talk about this.— Jennie softened, watching as the hand holding the knife shook firmly. She fixed her gaze on Lisa's eyes, those eyes that promised her eternal love, now shining with terror. At that instant, Jennie's heart felt the ground shift beneath her feet.
—No. And stop calling me that! You're a liar and a murderer. You're a monster! You deceived me.— Lisa exclaimed in a sob, letting the tears she had kept at bay begin to slide down her cheeks.
Jennie instinctively took a small step, wanting to wipe the tears from her wife's beautiful cheeks, a gesture that only reminded her of what she herself had unleashed. Her being was filled with confusion; perhaps her mind, so deeply entangled in guilt and selfishness, still failed to understand the magnitude of the situation she had fallen into. She just wanted... she just wanted to find a way to fix everything, to go back to what they once had, but the words were stuck in her throat, choked by remorse.
Jennie knew for certain that anyone who tried to harm Lisa would face the darkest consequences; a single act of slight could unleash the downfall of an entire dynasty. That was Jennie with everything she loved. For the first time in her life, she felt nervous about the future, trapped in a sea of uncertainty.
With just one move, she could disarm Lisa, hold her tight until she was tired of kicking and fighting, forcing her to listen to her. However, there was a part of Jennie that would never allow such a thing. Lisa had always set the pace in their relationship; that was how it had been, and that was how it would continue to be. It was an undeniable fact that, despite her desire to control the situation, she could not ignore the truth: love and vulnerability could also be powerful forces, although at that moment they felt like chains that kept her tied to her own indecision.
—I will do whatever you ask me, yes. But I will not stop calling you "love" or "darling," because that is what you are and always will be to me. If giving myself to whomever you wish soothes your wounded heart, then I will do so; I never wanted you to suffer. Through my past decisions, hiding my work life has broken that vow I made with you. So I am willing to accept whatever sentence you decide to impose on me, my love.— Jennie said, looking at her with the depth of a love that grew within her every day.
Her words came from her heart, and her gaze reflected the sincerity of her commitment. At that moment, the burden of her mistakes became lighter as she recognized the truth of her feelings. Despite the fear and uncertainty that surrounded her, the connection they shared shone brightly, like a beacon in the middle of the storm she herself had caused.
—You... just... — Lisa closed her eyes for a moment, took a deep breath and wiped her tears with the back of her pajamas. Jennie felt small footsteps running around the place and, for an instant, deduced that this moment had arrived, that Lisa would discover the truth about her job and what she had been hiding. However, she failed to foresee the shock that would flood over her when a little boy with disheveled hair and big eyes full of tenderness and sleep appeared before her, trying to focus her gaze.
The boy was holding a small rabbit tightly against his chest, and the contrast between his innocence and the intensity of the situation made Jennie's heart stop for a moment. That image, so pure, was a reminder of everything that was at stake. The tension in the room became palpable, and as the little boy smiled with overflowing curiosity, Jennie knew she had to find a way to protect not only her love for Lisa, but the boy's innocence as well.
With a single movement, he stepped away from Lisa, placing a small handkerchief against the cut on her neck, aware that his wife was caught in immense confusion and unable to react. However, his attention was drawn to the little boy who had appeared, and he approached him, gently kissing his hair as he lifted him into his arms, giving him a comforting hug.
—Hi, my love. Is everything okay? Can't you sleep?.— she asked, her voice brimming with the sweetness she only reserved for the two most important people in her life. In that instant, maternal love flowed through her, creating a space of warmth in the midst of chaos. As she held the child against her chest, Jennie forgot for a moment the tension of the moment and allowed herself to focus on him.
—Nope, Betsy can't sleep.— the little boy said, rubbing one eye with his little hand while pouting slightly. Then, he took his mother's cheek and gave her a kiss, as if he wanted to convey all his love.
—How about I read a story for you and Betsy? Do you think you'll give me a little corner of your bed? Just for today, honey, I can't sleep either.— Jennie cooed, cradling her son against her shoulder while quickly wiping the blood from his neck.
Her eyes flickered to Lisa, who was leaning against the kitchen counter, breathing heavily. Jennie felt a pang of pain at the sight of the suffering on her wife's face, but at that moment, she prioritized her son's needs. In the midst of the emotional storm, her maternal instinct prevailed, and she knew she had to take care of her family, the consequences of her decisions would not go anywhere.
—Yes, but we have to share with Mommy because she already asked me first.— said the little boy, already sleepy. Jennie smiled and gave him a soft kiss on the forehead.
—I think Mommy needs a moment, honey. She might join us later. Do you want to say goodnight?.— he suggested, trying to keep a light tone despite the weight of the situation.
It was a simple trick, something that came naturally to him, as if the words slipped out of his control, as had happened so many times before. It had always been Lisa's way or his way of reaching out when the other was angry. In that instant, Jennie realized that, despite the chaos around her, there were still small moments of connection that could serve as a bridge. The tenderness of the moment helped her remember that, deep down, love always found a way, even in the shadows of uncertainty.
The little boy nodded and Jennie cautiously approached Lisa, hoping that her wife was presentable enough not to alarm her son. As she got closer, she was met with a perfect mask, the same one Lisa rarely wore, a façade of strength she would bring out to reassure families when her patients' surgeries didn't go as expected.
—Good night, monkey. And you too, Betsy.— Lisa said, approaching the little boy and giving him a sweet kiss on the head, which caused him to smile tenderly. However, Lisa stopped her usual ritual for a moment. Before the little boy could utter a single word, she grabbed Jennie by the jaw and planted a kiss on her lips, full of rage and anguish.
The gesture was unexpected and passionate, a whirlwind of emotions that overflowed from their wounded hearts. In that instant, Jennie felt a mix of surprise and despair; what had started as an attempt to keep calm turned into a direct confrontation, where words were not necessary, and the kiss said more than any conversation could express.
Jennie took a step back, feeling the pressure on her chest as she swallowed. She knew that this would probably be the last kiss she would receive from Lisa, and the thought filled her with deep sadness. But her mind couldn't stop pondering how that pent-up fury in her wife could be channeled in a much more productive way, instead of becoming a weapon of pain.
She blinked several times, trying to clear away that oppressive feeling that enveloped her, and decided it was best to walk away to give space to all the bittersweet emotions that surrounded them. Without anything else to say, she headed to her son's room, seeking refuge in the sweetness of her little one, who was still hoping to share a bedtime story. As she crossed the threshold of the door, Jennie allowed herself a moment to breathe deeply, longing to regain the clarity she needed to face everything she had caused.