Short glimpse to Threads of Deception: The Edge of Abyss Volume Two:

Alicia snapped her head toward Rose as the woman let out a devilish laugh. Like a creeping contagion, her men joined in, their sinister chuckles spreading through the room and filling the air with an oppressive echo.

Alicia’s stomach twisted with unease, the sound wrapping around her like a suffocating shroud. It echoed in her ears, a haunting curse refusing to fade.

Jeff’s breaths grew ragged, each gasp betraying the chaos consuming his thoughts. The laughter pierced through his defenses, dragging buried memories to the surface, clawing at his mind.

“Don’t touch me! Leave our house!”

The men’s laughter. The gunshot. Rebecca’s scream. The pool of blood beneath her still form. The memories blazed in his mind, fanning the flames of his fury.

“Let her go!” Jeff barked, his voice cutting through the cacophony like a blade. The laughter ceased abruptly, replaced by a suffocating silence that thickened the air with tension.

“Of course, I’ll let her go, Jeff,” Rose said softly, her voice dripping with mock gentleness. “But you’ll have to come and get her.”

As Rose’s men raised their guns, Alicia turned to Jeff, panic etched into her face. She saw the fury consuming him, blinding him to reason.

Don’t do this! Tears streamed down her cheeks as she shook her head. She tried to run to him, but Nick, the man restraining her, yanked her back with a cruel grip.

Noticing Nick’s movement, something deep within Jeff shattered. The invisible chains holding him back broke apart. With a guttural roar, he lunged forward.

“Shoot!” Rose commanded.

Gunshots rang out, the bullets tearing into Jeff’s stomach.

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For Alicia, time seemed to freeze. The world went silent as she watched Jeff collapse to his knees, his hands bracing the ground while blood pooled beneath him. He gritted his teeth, his body trembling as he tried to stand, only to falter and fall again.

“No!” Alicia screamed, thrashing against Nick’s hold, but his grip remained unyielding.

“Jeff!” she cried, her voice cracking with despair.

Jeff lifted his head to meet her eyes, his own brimming with unshed tears. His lips twitched into a bitter smile.

I’m sorry, he thought as agony ripped through him. I’m sorry, Alicia.

Tears streaked his face as he silently apologized. I failed you again.

Summoning the last remnants of his strength, Jeff forced himself to his feet. Just once… I have to… He staggered forward, leaving a trail of blood on the floor.

“Shoot!” Rose’s voice rang out again.

The next volley of gunshots brought Jeff to the ground, his body refusing to rise.

“Jeff!” Alicia shrieked. Breaking free from Nick’s grasp, she ran to him.

Falling to her knees, she cradled him in her arms, slapping his cheeks as if to rouse him. “Jeff, Jeff, Jeff!” she sobbed, her voice breaking into incoherent cries as tears blurred her vision.

Jeff’s eyes fluttered open, his trembling hand reaching to touch her face.

“Jeff,” Alicia whispered, gripping his cold hand and pressing it to her cheek.

“I’m sorry… It’s all my fault,” she choked out, pressing her hands against the wound in his stomach. Blood seeped through her fingers, her desperation mounting with each second.

The thought of losing Jeff was unbearable. She had convinced herself she hated him, that she wanted him gone—but it had all been a lie. Deep down, she had longed for him to seek her forgiveness, to hold her, to confess his love again. Instead, she had pushed him away.

As Jeff’s bitter smile faded and tears slipped down his face, Alicia intertwined her fingers with his.

“You can’t leave me,” she pleaded, her voice trembling. It felt as though a part of her was being torn away, her world crumbling into darkness.

“Jeff, please… don’t leave…” she whispered as Jeff groaned, his eyes shutting tightly against the pain.

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“Do you want to hear a shocking story?” Rose’s voice sliced through the silence, her gaze fixed on Alicia. A dark smile played on her lips. “Let me tell you how evil I truly am.”

Alicia’s breath hitched as Rose leaned closer, her eyes glinting with malice. “I buried your real friend alive.”

A strangled cry escaped Alicia’s lips, horror tightening her chest.

“You have no soul,” Alicia spat, her voice shaking with fury.

Rose’s smirk deepened. “I discovered that a long time ago—on the night I drugged your father. My Olive drove him home and pushed him toward you. That night was planned perfectly. Your father was vulnerable, and he fell into my trap.” Her voice dropped to a venomous whisper. “And he violated you.”