CHAPTER 004
1044 Words
CHAPTER 004
CHLOE 'S POINT OF VIEW
The air in the room felt heavier than it should’ve been. The air felt as though it was pressing against my chest, tempting me to utter a word. Emma stood there, eyes locked on mine, waiting for something she couldn’t name—but somehow already feared.
“I didn’t choose that life,” I said, my voice quieter than I expected. “Ian forced me into it.”
She blinked at me. “Ian Matthews?”
The name made my stomach twist. Saying his name out loud made it feel as if he was standing in the room again. I nodded.
Her face changed—less confusion now, more anger. “How? Why would he do that to you?”
I took a step back, like I needed space from the question. “He wanted to control me. He said he loved me. But it wasn’t love. It was ownership. He made me feel like I owed him everything.”
“Why didn’t you say anything before?” Her voice cracked. “I trusted you, Chloe.”
“I didn’t want your pity,” I said fast. “And I didn’t want you to think I was weak.”
Emma’s jaw clenched. “So, you thought lying was better?”
“No!” I looked at her, heart pounding. I thought I was protecting you. Ian… he’s obsessed. With Logan. With me. Now with you.”
She stared, eyes wide. “Me?”
I nodded slowly. “There’s something he knows. About your family.”
Emma froze. “What are you talking about?”
Before I could answer, the door swung open with a loud thud. The walls seemed to breathe out, and everything inside me screamed to run. But I couldn’t move.
Ian entered the room with a calm demeanor, dressed in a black suit, and his gaze was fixed on me.
“Well,” he said, grinning. “Isn’t this cozy?”
Logan moved fast, stepping in front of us. “You’re not welcome here.”
Ian tilted his head. “You never change. Always so protective. Still can’t save everyone, though, can you?”
“Leave,” Logan growled.
Ian laughed. “Not before I finish what I started.”
Emma grabbed my hand. “He’s serious,” she whispered. “We need to call someone.”
But I already knew no one could help us fast enough.
“You should’ve stayed gone,” Logan said, fists clenched.
“You should’ve kept your girl on a tighter leash,” Ian snapped, eyes flashing at me.
“Don’t talk to her like that,” Logan barked.
Ian stepped forward. “What’s she told you, huh? That I forced her? That I ruined her life? Chloe always loved to play the victim.”
I felt the words like slaps. “You made me think I had no choice,” I said. “You broke me down until there was nothing left.”
Ian’s smile twisted. “You always had a choice. You just liked the money too much.”
Logan swung first.
They collided hard—fists flying, furniture crashing. Emma screamed. I pulled her behind the couch. We ducked as glass shattered. Ian was strong, but Logan was fueled by fury.
Then Ian pulled a knife.
“Stop!” Emma shouted.
The blade caught light, silver and fast. Logan backed off just enough. Ian grinned.
“This is what you protect?” he said, motioning at me. “She’s not worth it.”
“Neither are you,” Logan shot back.
Ian lunged. I yelled. Logan caught his arm mid-swing and twisted, sending the blade clattering across the floor. Emma kicked it away.
Ian hit the floor, his breath was knocked out. But he didn’t stay down. He rolled, grabbed a broken lamp, and swung. Logan ducked just in time.
“I’ll ruin all of you!” Ian screamed.
We were scrambling, shouting. My ears rang from all the noise.
And then he looked straight at Emma.
“Ask her what her family did!” He shouted, pointing at me. “Ask her what she’s hiding!”
Emma turned to me, pale and shaking. “What is he talking about?”
I couldn’t breathe.
“Chloe,” she said again. “What is he talking about?”
My lips parted, but nothing came out.
Ian laughed like a man unhinged. “You think you know who you are? Think again.”
Logan finally pinned him down, placing one hand on his throat.
“You’re done,” he said.
Ian only grinned.
“You have no idea what’s coming.”
Hours passed. The police took Ian away. For now. But we all knew this wasn’t over.
Emma sat on the couch, arms wrapped around herself. Logan paced. I just stood still.
“Tell me the truth,” she said softly. “Now.”
I sighed, felt everything crashing down.
“Ian told me something. About your mother. He said she was involved in something… illegal. That she covered it up. And that he had proof.”
Emma’s face crumbled. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to hurt you.”
She laughed, broken. “Too late for that.”
I reached for her, but she flinched.
“I don’t even know who you are anymore.”
I pulled my hand back, heart sinking.
Logan sat beside her. “We’ll find the truth. Together.”
Emma didn’t answer.
And I knew, deep down, we were all about to unravel.
Later that night, I stood by the window, watching the shadows move. My mind raced.
I thought of Ian’s words. The way he looked at Emma. What did he know? Was it true?
A part of me didn’t want to find out.
But another part needed to.
Secrets tend to surface. And some of them drown you.
Emma’s voice startled me. “You should go.”
I turned. “Emma, I didn’t mean for any of this—”
“I need time,” she said. “To think.”
I nodded slowly. “Okay.”
She walked away, and I stood alone.
And somewhere deep down, I wondered if I’d just lost everything.
- Writer
