Love beneath the Skin

Jada’s sleep was restless.

Ever since Sophia Quinn’s soul had awoken in this body, Jada hadn’t had a full night’s rest.

Her nightmares replayed every disappointment, every betrayal, every wound—alongside the memories of the real Jada Brooks, whose pain and hate now doubled her own.

Waking in the middle of the night again, she checked the time—3 a.m.

Her head ached. She touched her hair, surprised to find it completely dry—as if someone had dried it for her while she slept.

Strange, but she didn’t dwell on it.

Thirst drove her downstairs in search of water.

This part of Caius’ mansion was still unfamiliar to her. She rarely roamed the house at night, and she had never run into Caius at these hours.

Tonight, she stopped short when she saw a faint red glow by the window.

There he was—sitting in his wheelchair, a cigarette glowing between his fingers.

Jada froze, startled not just by finding him awake, but by the fact that he smoked at all.

The slight sound of her movement made him turn. The moment he recognized her, he crushed out the cigarette.

Jada hesitated only a moment before walking over. “Mr. Martino.”

As she approached, Caius studied her quietly. The cool edge in his voice softened. “Couldn’t sleep?”

“Just thirsty,” Jada replied with a small smile.

“Drink something warm. The night’s cold.”

The unexpected concern made her pause before nodding. “I will. Thank you.”

She drank her water and returned upstairs without prying.

The next morning, she deliberately stayed in bed with her phone on silent.

When she finally got up and checked, there were sixteen missed calls—thirteen from Walter, three from Mr. Brooks.

She called her father first.

“Jada,” Mr. Brooks said immediately, “Mr. Grant came to the house first thing this morning.”

Jada had already told him she wouldn’t be coming home after the engagement party.

Mr. Brooks wasn’t the talkative type, and he didn’t interfere much in her love life.

He knew Caius had quietly helped save Brooks Materials Inc. from collapse and that Walter had publicly claimed her as his girlfriend before explaining to Mr. Brooks that his engagement to Carmen was a business arrangement.

Though Mr. Brooks disapproved, he said nothing—only urged her to keep Caius’ help secret and to be cautious.

He felt guilty that his daughter had been left unprotected after the car accident that left her in a coma for months. So now, he didn’t try to stop her from whatever she was planning.