Page 54 of Bound To Me

Michael’s hand tightened around mine. “Do not fucking call her baby,” Michael snarled. “She ismine, and you need to fucking back off.”

I knew something was going to happen if we continued to stand there, so I pulled on Michael’s hand and started to walk toward the lobby. “Come on. Let’s not do this. Please,” I begged.

“Jacqueline,” Elliott called out as I pulled the hotel key card from my pocket. Michael actually listened to me and turned his back on Elliott as he followed me.

I swiped the card, and my heart stomped in my chest as we walked in, my tears already pouring out with grief.

“Baby, you did good. I was about to fucking tear him apart, but that would have violated my parole.” Michael laughed likethis was all a fucking joke to him as we headed toward the elevator.

I wasn’t sure what hurt more: facing Elliott or the fact that I was in so fucking deep with the man who hurt me in unspeakable ways.

“I love you, Daddy. I need you more than ever now,” I said quietly.

I hated myself as soon as the words came out. Was that true? Or was I trying to diffuse a situation I feared, that he would possibly punish me for speaking to Elliott?

The elevator door pinged open, and Michael turned to me.

“You’re such a good girl, Jackie. Daddy will never let you leave again.”

Then

I couldn’t wait to meet Hana at the Bowery. I would finally be face to face with the woman I hated and envied from afar for so long. What would she be like? Would she be as pretty up close? What would she sound like? Would she be understanding, and would she even believe me?

I sat alone on the couch one night, trying to read; Billie and I had just watched an episode ofBridgertonand I was feeling raw and emotional. A sudden knock at the door startled me. I tapped my phone to find that it was 2:30 a.m. I looked at Billie’s door, but it remained closed; she didn’t hear anything. I guess that means I have to answer it. I slowly tiptoed toward the door and looked out the peephole. My heart dropped. I opened the door, and there stood Hana in sweats and a T-shirt, with her purse and other clothes crumpled up in her hands. She was even prettier up close; her hair was damp, her eyes were wide, and for once, she wasn’t wearing her matte red lipstick. But she looked upset.

“Hana?”

She looked confused as her brows pulled together and her wide eyes grew even wider.

I laughed nervously. “Sorry. I’m Billie’s roommate. I’ve seen pictures of you around here.” I glanced at Billie’s door, wondering if I should have flat-out told her who I was because she certainly didn’t seem to know. And why would she? It wasn’t as if Michael would ever talk about me to her. “Come on in.Billie’s still up. I’m sure she’d love to see you.” I wasn’t sure why I said that, but I figured Billie still cared about her, judging by all the pictures of her and Hana that still hung on the walls.

Hana walked in as I sat on the couch, looking around slowly before stopping at the foot of the couch.

She finally spoke. “Um, sorry. How exactly did you meet Billie?” Her voice was soft but somehow accusatory, unless I was just paranoid.

I wanted to tell her the truth. Why wait? But now that we were face to face, I was fucking terrified.

“We have mutual friends.”How fucking vague, Jackie.I shifted on the couch and tried to change the subject. “You know, I thought you and Billie weren’t on great terms.”Oh my God, why did I say that?

Hana looked hurt, and I hated myself for even mentioning it. “Billie and I will always be friends,” she said defensively as she crossed her arms. “Excuse me.” She turned and walked to Billie’s door.

I mentally kicked myself—wasn’t I supposed to put her onmyteam? I watched as Billie answered her door and, surprisingly, welcomed Hana with open arms. Hana was right; they seemed to have a history and bond that couldn’t be broken.

I slunk down further onto the couch, my mind racing, feeling like a coward. I needed to tell Hana. I would wait until she came back out and then tell her everything. I felt a little better knowing that I had a plan. I got comfortable on the couch, put on a random show on Netflix, and at some point, fell asleep.

My eyes blinked open, and I jolted up with a gasp when I realized it was morning.No, fuck—did I miss her leaving?I glanced at the time on the microwave; it was 10 a.m., well past the time Billie left for work, but her door was closed. Before I could change my mind, I carefully got up and gently opened Billie’s door just a crack. I could see Hana lying in Billie’s bed,still asleep.Okay, thank fuck. I closed the door and decided to wait on the couch.

It wasn’t long before Hana came walking out. I smiled and waved a little. “Good morning.” I wasn’t sure if I disguised the panic I felt. My palms were sweaty, and my hands began to tremble as I sat them in my lap.

She smiled back and headed towards the front door. “Hey, good morning.”

Fucking do it, Jackie.I stood up and blurted the words out. “Um, hey, Hana?”

She turned and I slowly walked closer to her. I was finally going to do it—I was going to betray Michael. The love of my life. The only person who at least pretended, sometimes, to give a shit about me in my adult life. But he deserved it, didn’t he? And Hana needed to know. I didn’t want him to do the same thing to her as he did to me.

“I need to tell you something about Michael,” I began. “My name is Jackie.”

Hana’s eyes widened. She looked terrified. “You’re…Jackie.”

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