Episode8:The Cage You Cannot See
825 Words
Aria began to understand Jack Loosa’s house the way one understands a quiet storm.
Nothing broke.
Nothing screamed.
Nothing warned her before it tightened.
The days followed a gentle rhythm. Breakfast at the same time. Walks in the garden. Quiet drives through the city. Jack never rushed her. Never ordered her. Never said no directly.
Instead, he suggested.
“You should rest today.”
“It’s safer if I go with you.”
“Maybe we avoid the hospital for now.”
Each sentence sounded reasonable. Caring. Protective.
And slowly, without noticing when it happened, Aria stopped making choices.
She realized it one afternoon while standing by the window.
She wanted to leave the house.
The thought was simple. Clear.
But her body didn’t move.
Jack was behind her, leaning against the doorframe, watching her reflection in the glass.
“You’re thinking about him again,” he said.
Aria flinched. “You don’t know that.”
Jack smiled. “I do.”
She turned to face him. “You said I was free here.”
“You are,” he replied calmly. “Freedom doesn’t mean ignoring danger.”
“You decide what danger is,” she said quietly.
Jack stepped closer, lowering his voice. “I’ve lived longer than you. I’ve seen what men like Sebastian leave behind.”
Her chest tightened. “You don’t know him.”
Jack’s eyes darkened just slightly. “I know him very well.”
That night, Aria dreamed of fire again.
Not flames this time.
Walls closing in.
At the hospital, Sebastian stood in the hallway outside Lena’s room, his hands clenched into fists.
Jack Loosa’s voice still echoed in his head.
She’s already mine.
Lena slept, but her face was restless, her brow creased like the memories inside her were fighting to come out.
Victor stood beside Sebastian. “If you walk into Jack’s world openly, he wins.”
Sebastian didn’t look at him. “He already thinks he has.”
“You pushed her into this,” Victor said carefully.
Sebastian nodded once. “I know.”
Silence followed.
Then Sebastian turned. “Find me his weaknesses.”
Victor hesitated. “Jack Loosa doesn’t have weaknesses.”
Sebastian’s voice dropped. “Everyone does.”
Back at Jack’s house, Aria sat at the dining table while Jack poured wine.
“I spoke to Sebastian today,” Jack said casually.
The glass froze in her hand. “You did what?”
“He called me,” Jack replied, calm as ever. “Threats. Demands. Very emotional.”
Aria stood up. “What did you tell him?”
Jack met her eyes. “That you’re safe.”
“That’s not your decision,” she said, anger finally rising.
Jack set the bottle down slowly. “You’re still here.”
The truth hit her like cold water.
“I want to see him,” she said.
Jack’s smile faded. Not completely. Just enough.
“No.”
The word was soft.
Final.
Aria’s voice shook. “You promised you wouldn’t trap me.”
“I promised to protect you,” Jack corrected. “Sebastian is not protection. He’s destruction wrapped in guilt.”
Tears burned her eyes. “He loves me.”
Jack stepped closer. “So do I.”
Her breath caught.
“That’s not love,” she whispered.
Jack’s expression hardened for the first time. “You don’t get to decide what love looks like.”
That night, Sebastian stood outside Jack’s gate.
Rain soaked his clothes. His car lights cut through the dark. He didn’t try to hide.
He wanted Jack to know.
Inside the house, Jack watched the security screen, calm and amused.
Aria stood beside him, her heart pounding.
“He came,” she whispered.
Jack nodded. “I expected him.”
Sebastian stepped forward, pressing the gate buzzer.
Jack picked up the phone and handed it to Aria.
“Tell him you’re fine,” he said quietly. “Tell him you chose this.”
Her hands trembled as she took the phone.
She looked at Jack.
Then at the screen.
Sebastian stood there, rain dripping from his hair, eyes burning with something raw and desperate.
The line connected.
“Aria,” Sebastian said. “I’m here.”
Her chest ached.
Jack leaned in, his voice low near her ear. “Say it.”
Aria swallowed.
“I’m fine,” she said.
Sebastian closed his eyes.
“And tell him,” Jack added softly, “that he should leave.”
Her voice broke. “You should go.”
The silence that followed felt endless.
Sebastian looked up at the house one last time.
Then he turned away.
Jack disconnected the call.
Aria dropped the phone, tears streaming down her face.
Jack watched her quietly.
The cage had closed.
And Sebastian, standing alone in the rain, made a promise to himself.
He would burn Jack Loosa’s world down.
And this time, he would not let Aria go.
- Writer
