Page 76 of Unbreak Me
"I think I know why they’re blowing up your phone, Jared," I said. "It’s too late to stop it. TheEast Timesmagazine online issue goes live at 9 am. It’s already too late to stop it. I’m guessing it made the front page—big scandal, local politician, millions of clicks. Mark and his reputation won’t recover from this, even if Day doesn’t take it to court."
I almost regretted saying it because Jared suddenly shook the gun, his eyes welling up with even more tears. They were now removing his concealer, revealing more and more violet and yellow bruises under his eyes. He trembled like he’d been doused in ice water.
"So it’s too late. Everything’s ruined! I came here for nothing…" he choked out, tears constantly pouring down his face and neck.
He lowered the gun but kept it in his hand, stumbling back a step, looking like he could barely stay on his feet.
"They will take every cent of Mark’s. I won’t even have child support since he’ll be in prison. I’ll be on the street with Tommy…"
"You have Alex," Day whispered.
"You know how sick he is. He can’t take us—all his asthma and allergies. You were left with nothing, but at least you had a loving family that could house you!"
"Yeah, such a family. They drain all my money."
Jared snapped his head up. "Your dad was willing to give his life for you!"
"What?!"
Jared burst out in a bitter, desperate laugh and then held up his gun, turning his wrist to present us with… an empty clip!
"Your gun isn’t loaded?!" I blurted out.
"Of course it isn’t, idiot! Besides, Day’s dad told me if it was, he would never give me the address, and I would have to kill him first." Jared looked at Day. "He said you are an angel, not a child—selfless and caring, the best child he could ever dream of. He said he prays every day, begging Fate for a perfect match for you! Every evening, he gets on his knees and pleads for your happiness! And he also said he would rather give his life than let me go to your house with a loaded gun. I had to empty the clip in front of him and swear on my own child’s life that I would never hurt you before he told me! And I had no problem doing it. I’m not a murderer!"
Day was shocked. He pressed his hands to his eyes and sobbed almost hysterically. I embraced him right away, stroking his hair.
Jared was also crying, barely standing. "Nobody loved me like he loves you, ever! Nobody prays for me! And now…" He swayed and leaned on a wall, looking pale as a ghost, close to fainting.
A wave of pity washed over me. Despite the fact that he’d shown up with a gun, Jared was in emotional shock—devastated, overwhelmed. I could understand him in a way. Living with a monster and making desperate life choices had led him to this point.
"What if you had another option besides Mark?" I asked cautiously, surprising even myself with the question.
Day, whose head was snuggled in my neck, lifted it up and gave me a questioning look, his eyes full of tears. Jared, still sobbing and slumped, suddenly gazed at Day, ignoring my question.
"I’m sorry, Day. I’m sorry I came here. I’m sorry I terrorized your dad. I didn’t mean for this to spiral out of control. I’m losing it… everything’s ruined. I’m done…" he mumbled, shoving the gun into his pocket.
"Maybe not. I asked you a question. What if you had a better option than Mark?"
Jared gave me a hollow look. "What are you talking about?"
"Would you want to find your True Mate?"
Jared let out a bitter, broken laugh. "What do you think? Ask anyone—aside from those idiots in the ‘No to TMs’ movement—and they’ll all give you the same answer. But it’s not that fucking easy."
"Well, I managed to find mine. I met someone who can find perfect matches. Day is my True Mate."
Jared gaped at me, tears still glistening in his eyes. "What?" He seemed unable to process this information.
"It’s true," Day said. "We’re True Mates, Jared. And Jan’s right—we met someone who can find them. Pair them."
I nodded, surprised at how calm I felt, despite Jared’s intrusion into our home. For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to truly hate him.
"So… his dad's prayers worked…?"
"Possibly. Maybe there’s a solution for you too. The man who helped us find each other seems to have a certain… supernatural gift. He also successfully paired other clients. What if I gave you his name? You could go to him and ask for help finding a partner—your True Mate. Someone who would trulylove you, love your child, and give you the safety, acceptance, and care that monster never could. Wouldn’t you be willing to throw everything away and escape from him?"
Jared blinked, staring at me like he’d just seen a ghost.
