PHOENIX

10| THE MORE HE KNEW, THE BETTER

When they stood to leave, Jackson waited a few minutes before following. He needed to maintain the appearance of a casual diner while ensuring he didn’t lose sight of them. His heart pounded as he paid his bill and walked out of the restaurant, his eyes discreetly tracking their movements.

Back in his car, he watched as Roy and Melissa got into their vehicles. The convoy started to move, and Jackson knew he had to be careful. He couldn't afford to get too close and risk being spotted again. He followed at a safe distance, making sure to blend in with the late morning traffic.

As he drove, he replayed the events of the morning in his mind. The image of Roy, the affectionate exchange with Melissa, the conversation snippets—each detail was a piece of the larger puzzle. He realized that to understand Roy’s empire, he needed to understand the man himself and his complex web of relationships.

The convoy led him to a gated estate on the outskirts of the city, a sprawling property surrounded by high walls and security cameras. Jackson parked a safe distance away, using binoculars to observe from a hidden vantage point. He watched as Roy and Melissa entered the estate, the guards at the gate saluting them with a respect that bordered on reverence.

Jackson’s pulse quickened. He knew he was on the edge of something significant. This estate was a stronghold, a place where Roy likely conducted much of his business. If he could find a way inside or gather more information about the activities here, he might finally get the answers he needed.

But he had to be smart. One wrong move could mean his end.

As Jackson drove back to the hotel, his thoughts kept circling around Melissa and the perplexing changes in her personality. Each encounter with her seemed to reveal a different facet of her character, leaving him more confused than ever.

The first time he saw her at the hotel, she had been the Melissa he remembered—warm, innocent and shy. Despite the tension and her voiced suspicions, there was a familiarity in her demeanour that tugged at his heart. Even though she seemed to be haunted by something, her eyes had sparkled with the same light he had fallen in love with, and her smile when she apologised for bumping into him had felt like a balm to his troubled soul. For a brief moment, he had almost forgotten the betrayal, lost in the echo of their past.

But then, there was the day he followed her outside the city. The transformation had been startling. She had been cold, calculating, and entirely detached from the person he thought he knew. The way she moved, the way she spoke—it was as if she had donned a mask, becoming someone else entirely. It wasn’t just unsettling; it was chilling. The Melissa who had laughed with him and shared dreams with him, seemed to have vanished, replaced by a stranger.

And today, at the mall, she had reverted to the Melissa he knew once more. Her smile had been genuine, her interaction with Roy displaying a warmth and affection that seemed so real. It made him question everything he thought he knew about her. Could she really be so adept at playing different roles, or was there something deeper at play?

The idea of Melissa being bipolar crossed his mind. It was a plausible explanation for the dramatic shifts in her behaviour. He didn’t want to admit it, but the genuine smile she had given Roy today had stirred something inside him. Despite everything, he still cared about her, and the thought that she might be struggling with something beyond her control gnawed at him.

Jackson sighed, gripping the steering wheel tighter. He wasn’t interested in rekindling any romance with her. That ship had sailed, leaving behind wreckage and ruins. But he needed to understand what was happening. What could trigger such drastic changes in her personality? Was it the pressure from her family, the weight of expectations, or something more sinister?

His resolve hardened. He couldn’t just walk away from this mystery. Not now. He needed to know what was really going on with her if only to find some closure for himself. He wasn’t sure if it was love or sheer curiosity driving him, but he knew he couldn’t let it go.

As he pulled into the hotel parking lot, Jackson took a deep breath. He asked himself why he was so worried about Melissa after everything she had done to him. It made no sense. She had betrayed him in ways he couldn’t have imagined, and yet here he was, consumed by thoughts of her, trying to decipher the enigma she had become.

He scolded himself, trying to beat sense into his stubborn heart. "Melissa betrayed you," he muttered under his breath, as if repeating it could solidify the truth in his mind. "She’s not worth this. She never was." His fists clenched involuntarily, the anger and frustration bubbling to the surface.

He cursed himself for ever falling in love with a woman he knew so little about. From the beginning, she had been a mystery, an intoxicating allure that had drawn him in. He had been so blinded by her charm, her beauty, and the rush of their whirlwind romance that he hadn’t seen the signs. Or maybe he had seen them and chosen to ignore them, desperate to believe in the fairy tale he thought they were living.

Jackson shook his head, trying to dispel the memories of happier times that crept into his mind. He couldn't afford to dwell on those moments. They were tainted now, overshadowed by the reality of her betrayal. She had shattered his trust, nearly cost him his life, and left him questioning everything he thought he knew.

"Why are you doing this to yourself?" he muttered, getting down from the car and making sure he locked it. "You don’t owe her anything. She doesn’t deserve your concern." But even as he said the words, he knew they rang hollow. Despite his anger, despite the pain she had caused, a part of him still felt a pull toward her, a need to understand.

Was it closure he sought? Or was it something deeper, a lingering hope that there might still be a piece of the Melissa he loved buried beneath the layers of deception? He didn’t know. All he knew was that he couldn’t let it go, not yet.

"f**k you, Melissa! f**k your innocent act! f**k everything about you!" He couldn't help but curse because this wasn't what he came back here to do. Somehow that damn woman still held his heart in both her palms.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He had to be rational about this. He couldn’t let his emotions drive him to make reckless decisions.

“Focus,” he told himself firmly. “Find out the truth, but don’t let it consume you.” He needed answers, but he also needed to protect himself. He couldn’t afford to be vulnerable again. Not with her, not with anyone.

He left the parking lot and went to his room. He reminded himself that he should hurry and buy that apartment. He should stop procrastinating.

Once he was in his room, his thoughts shifted from Melissa to his sister. He hoped she wouldn’t act recklessly, especially now when things were so precarious. Sue had always been headstrong, but this time, her stubbornness could put them all in danger. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of responsibility settling heavily on his shoulders.

Thinking of Sue, he knew he needed to make sure she and Ethan moved in with him as soon as he bought the apartment. That way, he could protect them and keep a close eye on his sister. Sue had always been fiercely independent, but Jackson understood the threats they were facing better than she did.

He sat on the edge of the bed, pulling out his phone to check for any messages. There were none from Sue, which both relieved and worried him. She was unpredictable, and he couldn't afford to be caught off guard. He needed a plan, a way to convince her to move in without making her feel like he was trying to control her.

Jackson started to make a mental list of what he needed to do. First, he had to finalize the purchase of the apartment. It had to be a place that Sue would actually want to live in, somewhere safe but not stifling. Then, he had to find a way to talk to her, to explain the gravity of the situation without pushing her away. He knew it wouldn’t be easy. Sue valued her freedom, and she wouldn’t take kindly to what she might see as an intrusion.

But it was necessary. With everything that was going on, the only way to ensure their safety was to stay together. He wouldn’t let anything happen to his family, not after everything they had been through.

Jackson lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind racing. The thought of Sue and Ethan being under the same roof brought him a sense of comfort. It would be a challenge, no doubt, but it was the only way to keep them safe. He knew Ethan would be happy about it.

He closed his eyes, trying to formulate the words he would use to convince Sue. He would tell her it was temporary, just until things settled down. He would emphasize the benefits: they could help each other out, provide a stable environment for Ethan, and keep an eye on any potential threats. He decided he would call her first thing in the morning to check in and remind her to be cautious.

He knew Sue well enough to understand that she would resist. But he also knew that deep down, she cared about their family just as much as he did. She would come around, he was sure of it. He just needed to be patient and persistent.

As Jackson lay in bed, his mind raced with thoughts about his next move. He needed to figure out who to follow tomorrow. Following Ric would be easy, but Jackson doubted he would uncover anything useful by shadowing the teenage boy. Roy was definitely off-limits; the man’s sharp eyes and meticulous security made that a non-starter. That left Matt as his potential target.

He turned the idea over in his mind, weighing the risks and potential rewards. Matt was a wildcard. Known for his ruthlessness and keen intelligence, he was certainly dangerous. But Jackson couldn’t shake the feeling that if there were any valuable insights to be gained, they would come from observing Matt. Unlike Ric, Matt was deeply involved in the family's operations. If there was anything suspicious or out of the ordinary happening, Matt would likely be at the centre of it.

Jackson sighed, rolling onto his side and staring at the dimly lit room. The decision wasn’t easy, but he knew he had to take the risk. Following Matt could provide the answers he needed, or at least point him in the right direction. He just had to be careful and not get caught. Matt wasn’t as heavily guarded as Roy, but he was no less perceptive. One wrong move, and Jackson could find himself in serious trouble.

He made a mental note to wake up early and prepare. He needed to gather as much information as he could about Matt’s routine, his usual haunts, and any potential vulnerabilities. The more he knew, the better his chances of staying undetected.

With a deep breath, Jackson tried to quiet his mind. He needed rest if he was going to be sharp tomorrow. The stakes were high, and he couldn’t afford to make any mistakes. He closed his eyes, willing sleep to come, but the tangled web of thoughts and plans kept pulling him back.

Eventually, exhaustion took over, and Jackson drifted into a restless sleep, his mind still churning with plans for the following day.