Chapter 8 Jason Visits

Nicholas didn't bother me again.

That alone put him miles ahead of the Rosewood family. Or maybe it was because we weren't that close. He'd tried to convince me once—that was enough.

Either way, I lived the life I'd been dreaming of for a while.

One day after work, I'd just reached my apartment complex when I spotted an unwelcome visitor from a distance. I hesitated, debating whether to approach. Jason hadn't noticed me yet. Dressed casually, he paced around the entrance to my building.

I let out a deep sigh. No escaping this. As long as Sabrina needed me, they'd never give up.

When he spotted me, Jason's face lit up at first. Then, as if remembering something, his steps slowed. I watched him approach hesitantly. "Cate, long time no see."

I had no interest in small talk. "I told you I don't want to see any of you."

Seeing my cold attitude, Jason instinctively wanted to get angry. Then, remembering why he'd come, he forced it down. I looked at him blankly, as if facing a stranger.

Jason spoke gently. "Cate, don't say that. I genuinely came to apologize today."

I couldn't detect a trace of remorse on his face. Instead, barely concealed urgency flickered in his eyes. Who was he here for? What made him so anxious? I reached a conclusion in one second.

"I don't accept your apology."

Jason's expression darkened. "Cate! I came today at James's suggestion to sincerely apologize." He emphasized it repeatedly, even invoking James's name—purely to pressure me.

I couldn't help but remember my past life. This was exactly how they'd coerced and manipulated me into sacrificing my life for Sabrina. The Rosewood family thought trotting out their usual script would make me obediently comply.

My expression remained utterly flat. I looked at Jason like I was watching a circus clown.

My gaze provoked Jason, fury blazing in his eyes. Once she saves Sabrina, she'll pay for today and everything before!

I ignored his words. "Jason, how did you get my address?"

I'd only told Nicholas. He'd saved me, protected me—he'd never betray me. Besides, Sabrina had already caused a scene at the office. That meant the Rosewood family knew I'd been living with Nicholas—why would they suddenly think to find me here?

Jason was single-mindedly focused on achieving his goal. He didn't think it through. He blurted out, "We filed a missing person's report. The police tracked you down through surveillance footage."

I let out a derisive laugh, my expression darkening instantly.

So that's how it was. They'd truly stop at nothing for Sabrina!

I turned to leave. Once I got through the building entrance, Jason couldn't follow without a key.

"Catherine, are you really this cold and heartless?" Jason called out, desperation bleeding through his tone.

Finally getting to the real reason for his visit?

I turned back, face expressionless. "I'm cold and heartless?"

"Aren't you?" Jason pressed his lips together, eyes filled with what looked like grief. Maybe he wanted to say that I wasn't like this before.

He sighed softly, softening his tone. "Cate, Sabby is family too. Her condition is critical right now. You know Sabby's health has always been fragile. We can't just use any medication on her. Stop being stubborn with Jason, okay? Help Sabby. Once she's better, we can all be one happy family again. Doesn't that sound good?"

With that, Jason produced his ace in the hole—a brand new pendant.

"The last one was too broken to fix. Your brothers and I had Michael make you a new one. Take a look—do you like it?"

Triumph glinted in Jason's eyes. I heard that after failing at the school, the four brothers had replayed my recent changes. So what? They thought that Jason giving my pendant to Sabrina had escalated the conflict? Solve this key issue, and I would definitely go back to being obedient like before?

I looked down at this new pendan. It was made from leftover scraps from Sabrina's pendant. The flaws were obvious at a glance.

"Is that right?"

I took it with a smile. Just as Jason thought he'd succeeded—my hand opened. The pendant hit the ground with a sharp, crystal-clear sound.

Jason looked down at the pendant, shattered even worse than the last one. His patience evaporated completely. He raised his hand to slap me.

In my past life, I hadn't dared fight back. Living again, I had no fear. I caught Jason's hand mid-air. The slap never landed. I yanked hard, throwing his hand off.

Jason was a photographer—by all logic, I shouldn't be his match. But he hadn't picked up a camera in ages because of Sabrina. In my past life, I'd been chronically anemic. This time, after escaping, I'd bought myself supplements daily. My health had greatly improved.

"What's this, Jason? You come begging for my help with that attitude?" I taunted him.

Jason hadn't expected me to resist, much less be so aggressive. He frowned, his voice turning harsh. "What will it take for you to save Sabby?"

"Why should I save her?" I countered.

"She's part of the Rosewood family too."

The mocking curve of my lips widened. "And what about me? Have you ever treated me like part of the Rosewood family?"

"Of course we have." Jason answered almost on instinct.

I laughed derisively. "Jason, then let me ask you—when looking for me for Sabrina's sake, you knew to check surveillance footage. When Sabrina falsely accused me of pushing her down the stairs, why didn't you check then? Was that because you didn't consider me part of the Rosewood family? Since I'm not worthy of being a Rosewood in your eyes, why should I save her?"

My three-part question choked off everything Jason wanted to say. His face flushed red—whether from shame or anger, I couldn't tell.

I lifted my foot and ground the cheap pendant into powder.

"Hypocritical bastard."

Truly laughable. They'd do anything for Sabrina. Meanwhile, I was their actual sister, reduced to a stepping stone.

Jason had nothing left to say. I'd spoken the truth. They really were hypocrites.

Before he could speak again, I'd swiped through the building entrance, climbed the stairs, and returned home.

Through a gap in the curtains, I watched Jason glance reluctantly at the pendant on the ground before turning to leave.

Once he left, the weight pressing on me finally lifted.

Sabrina's father saved me. In my past life, I'd repaid that with my own life. I didn't owe her anything anymore.

As for the Rosewood family... Perhaps because of blood ties, thinking of them still stirred conflicting feelings of love and hate.

But this life, I wouldn't let anyone manipulate me again!