Chapter 12: Michael's Text
611 Words
I wasn’t asleep.
I was counting the ceiling tiles.
17.
Same number of days since I signed the contract.
My phone lit up.
Unknown number.
Then another.
*Unknown: `Jenna. It’s Michael. Don’t delete this.`*
My heart stopped.
Michael.
Alive.
I sat up so fast the room spun.
*Me: `Michael? Is this real?`*
3 dots.
Gone.
3 dots again.
*Michael: `I’m sorry. For the gun. For 2 years. For Dad.`*
Dad.
He said his name.
Tears came before I could stop them.
*Me: `Where are you? Are you safe? Is he hurting you?`*
`He` = Kelvin.
*Michael: `He doesn’t own me. Not anymore.`*
Lie.
£200,000.
I knew the contract.
*Me: `Then come home. Please. We can fix this. Together.`*
Another pause. Too long.
*Michael: `I can’t. Rose has me.`*
Rose.
The name hit like ice water.
*Me: `What does she want?`*
*Michael: `You.`*
I threw the phone.
It hit the wall. Didn’t break. Stupid expensive Kelvin Corp tech.
I picked it up with shaking hands.
*Michael: `She says Kelvin killed Dad. She has proof. She wants me to give it to you.`*
*Michael: `But she wants something back.`*
*Me: `What?`*
*Michael: `The contract. Your signature. She says if you rip it, Kelvin loses everything.`*
Rip the contract.
364 days. Gone.
And Kelvin... free?
*Me: `Don’t trust her Michael. She used you.`*
*Michael: `She’s using me to save you.`*
Another text.
*Michael: `Meet me. Tomorrow. 11 PM. Thames Bridge. Alone. Or I give everything to Rose.`*
Thames Bridge. 11 PM.
Alone.
My brother was blackmailing me.
For Rose.
*Me: `Michael please. Don’t do this.`*
Delivered.
Not read.
He blocked me.
I stared at the screen until it went black.
My reflection looked back.
Jenna Hale. Wife. Target. Sister of a traitor.
The door opened.
I didn’t look up.
“Couldn’t sleep?” Kelvin’s voice.
He was in black sweatpants and nothing else. Hair wet. Like he just showered.
“What are you doing here?”
“You threw your phone.” He picked it up from the floor. “Walls are expensive.”
He saw the screen. My messages.
His face didn’t change.
“Michael.”
“Don’t.” I stood. “Don’t say his name like you know him.”
“I do.” He tossed the phone on the bed. “He’s my employee.”
“Was.” I crossed my arms. “He’s with Rose now.”
Kelvin went still.
“Thames Bridge. 11 PM.” I said it. “He wants the contract.”
For a second, I thought he’d rage. Break something.
He didn’t.
He walked to the window. London was dark.
“Will you go?”
I didn’t answer.
“Jenna.” He turned. “Look at me.”
I did.
“If you go, you’ll lose the file. You’ll lose the 364 days. You’ll lose me.”
“Good.” The word tore out of me. “Because I’m tired of being your prisoner.”
He took a step toward me.
“Then go.” His voice was quiet. “Rip it. Walk away. And when you find out Rose lied to him, remember I told you not to go.”
My chest hurt.
“Why aren’t you stopping me?”
“Because prisoners who choose to stay are dangerous.” He stopped 2 feet away. “And I want dangerous.”
The room was silent except for my breathing.
2:23 AM.
6 hours till morning.
20 hours till Thames Bridge.
“Get out,” I whispered.
Kelvin nodded once.
He left.
Door closed.
I slid down the wall.
My brother chose Rose.
And the man who killed my dad... just let me choose him.
---
- Writer
