C3 Strange Sight

Michelle’s POV

I walked aimlessly through the rain, my steps sluggish, my body soaked and shivering, but I didn’t care. The cold biting into my skin was nothing compared to the ache tearing through my chest. I couldn’t feel my fingers. My hair clung to my face. And yet, I kept walking.

Maybe if I walked long enough, the pain would leave me. Maybe the rain would wash away the betrayal.

I found a swing set in an abandoned park. The chains groaned as I sat, the metal cold beneath me. I clutched my arms around myself, my clothes drenched and clinging to my skin, and finally let my tears fall freely. They mixed with the rain until I couldn’t tell where one began and the other ended.

“Why me?” I whispered, my voice hoarse and trembling. “Why is this world so damn cruel?”

My throat ached from holding back sobs. My heart felt like it was splitting open inside my chest.

“I lost Mom when I was just a girl. I thought that would be the worst thing that could ever happen to me. But then Dad… he gave his heart to someone else. He gave Kiara everything. He gave her me.” I choked out the words. “And Seth… God. Seth.”

The name burned like acid on my tongue.

“I thought you were different. You told me you loved me. You made me believe it. I was ready to give you everything… and you wanted nothing but my name. My legacy. My mother’s company.”

I leaned back on the swing, head tilted up, letting the sky cry with me. My lips parted in silent pain.

“Mom… why did you leave me alone in this world? If you’d been here, maybe I would’ve known better. Maybe I wouldn’t have been so easy to break.”

I pressed my forehead to the wet chains, my tears streaming harder. “Seth, how could you? After everything. How could you say those things about me? To Kiara, of all people.”

The ache deepened, spreading to my limbs. My body was cold, weak, and trembling. I hadn’t eaten. I hadn’t slept. I couldn’t think past the betrayal.

Somewhere in the distance, an engine idled softly. I didn’t turn to look. I didn’t care.

But then my vision blurred more than usual. I blinked, disoriented.

The trees swayed.

The world tilted.

I tried to stand—but my knees buckled beneath me. My last breath hitched in my throat as I looked up—

And locked eyes with someone.

A man.

Sitting in a car.

Watching me.

His face blurred as I collapsed.

*****

Jason’s POV

The moment she hit the ground, I was out of the car.

“Michelle!” I shouted, though I knew she couldn’t hear me. I had followed her quietly after finding her location. I hadn’t expected… this.

I reached her in seconds, kneeling beside her soaked form. She was ice-cold, her lips pale, her breathing shallow. Her body was limp in my arms.

What the hell happened?

I shrugged off my jacket and wrapped it around her, cradling her like something precious and fragile. She didn’t even stir. No protest. No words. Just silence.

I carried her to the back seat and laid her down gently, checking her pulse again. She was burning up and freezing all at once—exhaustion, emotional overload, exposure. She needed rest. Warmth. Care.

I slammed the door shut and got behind the wheel. I didn’t hesitate. I knew where to take her.

Back at my mansion, I moved quickly.

I brought her to the guest bedroom beside mine—the one I never used. It was quiet. Warm. Safe. Laying her gently on the mattress, I brushed damp strands from her cheek.

“Who hurt you this badly, Michelle?” I whispered, my jaw tightening.

A knock behind me made me turn.

“Good morning, sir,” Miss Mane said, her brows knitting when she noticed the woman in my arms.

“Morning. Please help her,” I told her. “She just needs rest. Dry clothes. Something warm.”

Miss Mane nodded slowly. “Of course, sir.” Her eyes lingered on Michelle before flicking to me. I could already read the surprise on her face. I never brought women here. Ever.

“And let me know when she wakes up,” I added.

“Are you heading out again, sir?” she asked gently.

“No,” I replied. “Just going to my room. I need a moment.”

She smiled knowingly. “Of course.”

In my room, I pulled off my wet shirt, threw on my robe, and let the water hit my back in the shower. But even the heat couldn’t pull my mind away from Michelle.

I didn’t know why I cared. Maybe it was because she’d walked into my life like a wildfire and now refused to leave my head. Maybe it was because I’d seen something real in her eyes.

She wasn’t like other women. She didn’t try to seduce. She didn’t pretend. Even in her pain, there was something magnetic about her.

The sound of my phone interrupted my thoughts.

I stepped out, dripping, and answered without checking.

“Good morning, Dad,” I muttered.

“Morning, son,” his deep voice boomed. “How are you? Your mother’s worried you’ll end up an old man alone in that fancy house.”

“She still on about marriage?” I sighed.

“She’s your mother. She just wants to see you happy. Ever since Crystal…”

I tensed. “Crystal’s irrelevant. She married Ricky. End of story.”

“Her two-year anniversary is next week. They’re hosting a celebration at the estate. Your mother insists you come.”

I paused. “Fine. I’ll be there.”

“Bring a date this time. A real one. We want to see you've moved on.”

I hung up before he could say more.

Bring a date?

Pretend I’ve moved on?

I smiled slowly, the image of Michelle unconscious in the next room flashing through my mind.

Maybe I wouldn’t have to pretend after all.