*Strong Language in this chapter*
I slept, but everything was different. I was different. She changed me.

My eyes fluttered opened, due to the ray of sun that was beaming on my face from the window. I groan groggily as I look down at Marina who was sleeping my chest.

Crazy how a couple of months ago, I didn't want to be in a relationship. But I am, with her. How did that happen? What power does she have over me?"

Her head snuggled under my neck as I chuckle lightly, slowly trying to slide her body onto the sheets as I rest her head against the pillow. I pulled the covers over her body as she continued to sleep. I needed to work in the studio, play with sounds, songs, melodies, words.

Everyone expected me to make an album better than Thriller, but is that even possible?

I walk over thr the dresser, grabbing some clothes to change into as I look up the cherrywood shelf with my eight shiny gold Grammys and a photo. It was a picture of me holding the Grammys.

Could I even surpass 'Thriller'? Or even come close to it? The pressure...

I look back down in the drawer, grabbing a pair of black slacks and a red shirt. I didn't want to think about it. So many memories flooded my mind as I slid into my penny loafers. It was a surprise in itself that I made it this far.

"Hey you..where you think you're sneaking off to?"

I felt hands wrap around my waist from behind as I smile widely, never turning around, "Good morning, Marina." I could sense that she was smiling as she kisses my cheek as I turn to her. She seemed so happy and perky as I peck her lips.

"I'm going to the studio today. I want to get started on working on my next album."

She raises an eyebrow while fixing the collar of my shirt, "Well, honey, I know you're going to make some good songs and continue to make me and your fans very proud." I nod while smiling, "I hope so, I want to exceed Thriller's success." The phone began to ring as Marina looks at her pager, "Hm, that's weird, I'm off today." She walks over to the phone and answers it, "Hello?" Her voice sucks as I watch the creases of her forehead appear while she frowns, "Really? Wow, I'll be there in ten minutes."

She hangs up, and I raise an eyebrow, "Aren't you going to tell me?" She slips into a blouse with skinny jeans and boots, "The detectives apparently found Paul, or whatever his real name is. They got him. They want me to be there for his interrogation. They believe he's connected to the guys that stabbed me." I bite my lip, as my mind went back to how he killed Marina's Nana and those guys, how they hurt Marina and stabbed her.

"What about those two guys who stabbed you?"

She rests her head against her hand, "No sign of them."

She looks at me, "I'm going to be okay, okay? You go work in the studio, and I'll go to this." I shook my head stubbornly, "No! No, I'm coming with you. This guy hurt you and..." My voice trailed off as I turn away as Marina whispers,

"Killed my Nana..but he tried to kill you too.."

I turn back to her as the room filled with silence. Silent because we were both thinking about that horrific day. I was death's door and Nana sacrificed herself for me. For us to be together. Everyday, every moment with Marina I have was a daily reminder of her sacrifice. I sigh as I break the silence, "Let me come, please. For Nana." She looks up into my eyes before sighing, giving in.

"Okay, okay..just don't go nuts or do something, because I know you. You're so protective and defensive that you might actually pop his head off his body."

I chuckle, "You know me so well. I really would love to do that to him. I want him to rot in a jail cell and then in hell for what he did. I will get the best lawyers in the world to make sure it happens to Paul and those other guys." Her eyebrows raised while she folded her arms at my words, "Mm, where did my sweet, little Michael go?"
I sigh while frowning at her nonchalant attitude, "I just..I don't want you to ever get hurt again, you know? We lost Nana, and Marina I couldn't bear losing you. I love you so much. Your safety is my number one priority. I would sacrifice anything for you." She tilts her slightly slightly while frowning as she hears my voice crack.

I was scared. I was scared to lose her.

She responds quietly, "Baby, I didn't know you felt so strongly about this." Her arms wrapped around me tightly as I sniffle as I tried not to cry. My hand was on her head, holding her close to me before she looks up at me, "Let's get going, okay?" I wipe my face with the sleeve of my shirt while nodding quietly as she grabs my hand.

—

We made it to the police station. Of course, the media frenzy was following behind us as we walked into the station. My hand was tightly holding Marina's hand as we sat in the waiting seats, waiting for the detectives to call us to the back. My heart was pounding in my chest; I couldn't believe I was going to see him again. I never felt so aggressive towards a human in my life, but him, I could never forgive.

"Hathaway. Jackson. Please come to the interrogation room."

Marina looked up at the intercom as I stood up, helping her up. She was numb. I looked at her pale white face. She looked like mozzarella cheese as I whisper, "I'm not going anywhere, okay? He's not going to hurt you." She looks at me as I smile to her reassuringly before we walked to the back. One of the detectives, Mitchell, turned to us.

"Hello, I'm Detective Mitchell, I was over this investigation. You must be Ms. Hathaway?"

Marina nods as she shook his hand, "Thank you for everything you did with this case." He nods before looking at me, "Mr. Jackson, it's truly an honor for you to be walking the floors of this police station." I chuckle while waving my hand nonchalantly, "Please..call me Michael, and the honor is truly mine." We turn to the tinted glass on the wall that had a box connected to it.

"So how this work is that my partner, Peter, will interrogate the suspect and you guys can listen through this little box at what's going on. The metal door back there is where the suspect and Detective Peter will come in. They should be in any minute now. And don't worry, you can see them but they can't see you."

I exhale slowly at the empty room that only had two metal chairs with a matching metal table. Marina was chewing on the corner of her lip, anxiously waiting for Paul and the detective to come into the room. Unexpectedly, the door slammed open while Paul in handcuffs as the police officers sat him in the chair. Marina gasps as I wrap my arms around her.

"M-Michael, he's right there..."

She shivered at the sight of her grandmother's murder as her grasp around me tighten. Detective Peter sat in the chair beside him, opening a file folder. Following him was Paul's attorney and the ADA.

"On August 16th, McCavoy, you murdered a 64-year old woman and assaulted not only your ex-girlfriend but her ex-lover, am I correct?"

Paul sneers while speaking coldly, "I did, okay? Who knew the justice system was so prone in putting me in jail when you got a world class slut free! She cheated on me and like she broke my heart, I broke hers. She got what she deserved! And I don't give a fuck about her billion dollar boyfriend either, you're lucky her precious Nana was there because that son of a bitch would've been dead."

Marina was breathing slowly while holding onto me as I whisper, "I'm right here..."

Detective Peter grunts while sliding him pictures. Looked like drawings.

"Do you know these gentlemen?"

Paul looks at them and smirks, "Never saw them." The ADA raises an eyebrow at his foul language, "You're lying. These men were identified for stabbing your ex-girlfriend weeks prior to your crimes. Now, we might give you a lighter sentence if you identify these men." His attorney chuckles, "This has nothing to do with what you're charging my client with, and he doesn't need to answer you!"

Paul looks at the photos, "They're part of a mob. Somewhere in New York. I don't know what they have against Marina but..." Peter glares at him, "Her father had trouble with them..do you know anything else, Paul. Anything."

Paul looked at him while grinning, "They're not going to stop until they get what they want." He looks at the screen and laughs deviously before yelling,

"I hope you're right there, Marina. I swear when I get out I'm ripping your fucking head out along with your stupid boyfriend. Not enough money in the world will save him from the hell I will bring to his life. And no one will be able to save him, not even you, once I'm done with him. And when he's gone, all you will have left to blame is YOURSELF, you worthless piece of shit. You ARE the problem, Marina. You act like the victim when you're the real devil.."

The police officers pull Paul away from finishing as the interrogation was over. He struggles to get free as he screams,

"SHES THE REAL MONSTER, NOT ME!"

I slowly swallow the lump in my throat as I look down at Marina. She was crying as her head rested on my chest.

—
A/N: i legit forgot to write yesterday so i made a long chapter today to make up! don't forget to like and comment! 🖤