I was a mess that Henry never asked for. He was kind, gentle and patient with me, tenderly caring for me like I was an injured animal. I guess that's what I was.

I lifted myself up from his chest and covered him with the blanket, he'd fallen asleep holding me in his arms.

This wasn't Henry's battle, this was my battle and I couldn't drag him down with me anymore. This fantasy of living in the safe house, playing house, was just that, a fantasy. We couldn't do it forever, and I knew Christopher would never give up the search, he was too proud.

I needed to face this on my own.

I packed a small bag, wrote Henry a note and left. I found myself in a hotel that was an adequate distance away from both my dad and the safe house. I used my card for the transaction, so they could trace where I was.

I reached my arms above my head and jumped back onto the bed. Laying like a starfish, I stretched my limbs one last time. The truth was I didn't know if today was the day that I'd breathe my last breath.

One click and the door opened with ease. I didn't have to look up, I knew exactly who it was. I moved over and tapped the empty space next to me.

Christopher laid down next to me. "I knew you'd come around," he smirked.

"Oh, I haven't, but I have an offer," I said calmly, staring at the ceiling as if it were the night sky.

He rolled onto his side, slid his hand under my jumper and onto the bare skin that was once bruised from his own actions. My body shivered in response to his touch, like it was rejecting him.

"You do?" he leaned in and whispered in my ear. He made me feel sick to my stomach.

"I do."

I took a deep breath, my ribs stretched against his cold hand, being with him felt so wrong. "Call off the search for my father and forget about Henry, don't hurt him, just leave him to get on with his life and I'll come with you. I'll do whatever you want me to do, okay, just leave him out of this."

He squeezed my ribs gently before pulling his hand away. I sat up to watch him pace the room. "I'll call in right now about your father, but-"

"He doesn't need to die Christopher, he's innocent in this. You want me all to yourself, so take me, I'm yours." I pleaded.

He stopped at the sound of trembling words and slowly walked towards me. I grabbed his extended hand and he pulled me up. My chest against his, my arms resting around his neck, his hands on my waist. My fate was his.

"You love him, don't you?" he asked.

I broke eye contact and stared at the scar on his neck. "I don't know why you're so obsessed with him Christopher. He's not the first person I've slept with, on or off the job, you have to know that." I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Jessica you ran away with this man. How can I be sure that you won't again? How can I trust you, when you won't even admit that you love him? This is probably a set up, isn't it?" The uncertainty in his voice was something I'd never heard before this moment.

I tear fell down my naked face as I left my despondent stare and looked him in the eye. "I don't care what happens to me, but you're right, I love him and I am willing to give that up to keep him safe. He has no idea that I'm here, hell, he would have never agreed to this. So just take my offer please."

"Jessica, I've hurt you," he glanced at my arm still in a splint "and I'm sorry for that. It's no excuse, but I lose my temper and hurt the people I care about, the people I love." he said softly.

How dare him for trying to chalk up the misdeeds he's committed to loving me after all the pain he's put me through.

I pulled away, freeing myself from his clutches. "Don't do this, you don't have to say any of this. I've told you my offer, take it or don't, but don't you dare try and make excuses for what you've done to me." I snapped.

I stood, eyes on his, and watched the light in his eye dim as he realised the reality of the situation.

He rested his hands gently on my waist. "I accept, I'll leave Henry alone. Just please believe me. Do you remember that time in Paris? It can be like that again. In fact; we can go straight there." he pleaded.

"Okay." I said weakly, nodding in agreement with him.

I didn't know what fate was worse; leaving the only person I've ever loved and my father again for an abusive, manipulative, psychopath or death.

The one thing I did know was the weight of my decision; I knew that getting out of this wasn't going to happen. This was it, signed and sealed, I was Christopher's property now and I had to live with that.

//Happy Wednesday my lovelies, I hope you're well!

What did you think of the twist? Was you surprised?

What do you think of Jessica/Daisy?

Anything else you want to get of your chest?

Love you all 💝💝💝//