A Love Worth Dying For?

Jessica continued, "And tell Theodore Dawson to quit his little games. I'm not falling for them anymore."

Hearing that, my heart went completely cold. So Jessica had been reborn too. But why would she think I made all this up?

In our previous life, she saw with her own eyes how those intruders tortured me and Mom. Why was she so indifferent this time around?

Was it because of Wilson Carter? Or just because of that careless remark of "Theodore did this on purpose"?

Heavy footsteps approached the door, each one louder than the last.

The door shook violently again. The wardrobe screeched as it was dragged across the floor.

We could only watch as our last line of defense slowly gave way until a loud crack rang through the air. A chunk of wood split off from the corner, leaving a jagged gap that exposed the intruder to us.

A rough voice chuckled from outside. "I knew you two were in here."

I stepped in front of Mom, backing toward the bed.

I stared at the widening crack. The helplessness of being completely unarmed sent sweat dripping down my temples.

Then the door was wrenched open with brutal force. The sound of wood dragging against the floor screeched in my ears.

A pair of filthy boots stepped inside.

"Did you really think locking the door would stop me? I'm not the type who enjoys slow games." The man smirked, brutal gaze sweeping over us.

I froze. I stared at the glinting knife in his hand, its cold gleam reflecting off his grimy fingers.

His gaze landed on Mom—vile and greedy, like a snake flicking its tongue.

"Not bad. I didn't expect your mother to be so pretty."

Mom shrieked, voice sharp and full of fear. "Don't you dare touch me!"

I clenched my teeth, forcing down the despair rising in my chest.

I turned to her and whispered urgently, "Mom, don't get involved no matter what happens next. Back away. There's a trampoline below the window. The impact should be manageable if you jump. Once you're down, run straight to the Johnson residence and look for Amelia. Tell her to bring help."

The man with the knife was closing in. We were out of time.

In my previous life, I'd suffered through this once already. No matter what, I had to save Mom this time.

"Theodore, I can't leave you here alone!"

I gripped her wrist tightly.

"Listen to me. Just jump and run to the Johnson residence. As long as you're alive, we still have a chance."

At that moment, the man shoved the shaking wardrobe aside and stepped into the room.

"Mom, quickly jump!" I whispered urgently.

But instead of running, she charged straight at him. She wrapped her arms around him, dragging him back with everything she had.

"Theodore! Go! Run! I won't let them get to you!" Her voice cracked with sobs and resolve.

"Mom!" I screamed, horrified.

And right before my eyes, the man raised his hand and drove the knife straight into her back without hesitation.

A burst of red exploded in my mind, ripping through the shock and shattering what little calm I had left.

Mom gasped in pain, but she didn't let go. She tightly clung to the man's waist and shouted at me, "Jump! Theodore, jump! Don't you dare hesitate!"

I felt my blood freeze in my veins, but the will to survive kicked in like instinct. We had no chance if I faced him head-on. I ran to the window and leaped without hesitation.

As I landed, the trampoline beneath me bounced hard. The shock sent a stabbing pain from my ankle straight up to my calf.