Trapped by Seven Mafia Wolves novel Chapter 40

**Just Yell**

**Jace’s POV**

I lift my hand and tap my knuckles against her door, the sound reverberating through the stillness of the hallway like a distant echo. The silence that follows wraps around me, thick and suffocating, filling the air with an oppressive weight. Frustration gnaws at my insides, and I realize I can’t remain in this limbo any longer. With a determined push, I swing the door open, the creaking hinges sounding like a warning bell.

There she is, perched on the edge of her bed, her shoulders hunched and defeated, as if the weight of the world rests on them. Her eyes widen in alarm, darting toward me, filled with a terror that makes me feel like a monster emerging from the shadows.

Her wrist, tightly bandaged, is pressed protectively against her chest, as if she’s trying to shield it from my view. The sight sends a chill racing down my spine, a cold wave of dread washing over me.

“Hey,” I manage to say, my voice flat and lacking warmth as I step into the room. “What the hell happened to your wrist?” My heart begins to race, a mix of worry and anger swirling within me. She flinches, drawing herself inward, as if she wishes to vanish altogether.

“I asked you a question,” I press, my tone sharper than I had intended, the urgency of the moment amplifying my frustration.

“I-I’m fine,” she stammers, her voice barely rising above a whisper, a feeble attempt to brush off my concern as if it were a mere nuisance.

“That’s not an answer.” I take a step closer, my heart pounding in my chest like a war drum. “Did Nico do something to you? Was it from earlier?” My mind races with dark possibilities, each one more sinister than the last. She shakes her head, her gaze still averted, avoiding my eyes as if they were a source of unbearable heat.

“Then where did the damn blood come from?” My voice rises, frustration spilling over like an overflowing cup. “Don’t lie to me.”

Her fingers tremble visibly, delicate and fragile, and still, she won’t meet my gaze. Something inside me snaps, fraying at the edges of my composure. “Why won’t you just say it?! I’m trying to help!”

“I SAID I’M FINE!” The scream erupts from her, shattering the fragile silence like glass breaking against concrete, leaving shards of tension in the air.

I freeze, momentarily taken aback by the raw intensity of her voice.

The entire house seems to hold its breath, time stretching into an unbearable silence that feels almost tangible. She stands now, tears streaming down her cheeks, her hands clenched tightly at her sides, trembling like a leaf caught in a fierce storm. “Stop yelling at me! Stop cornering me like I’m some problem you have to fix!” Her voice quakes, filled with a potent mix of fear and defiance.

“SO JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!” Her desperate words ricochet off the walls, filling the space with a haunting echo that makes my heart ache.

**Conclusion**

In the aftermath of that explosive confrontation, a profound silence lingers in the air, heavy with unspoken truths and unresolved pain. Jace stands frozen, grappling with the stark reality that his sister, once a timid presence in his life, has found her voice in the most desperate of circumstances. Her scream, a raw outpouring of emotion, reverberates in his mind, awakening a realization that he has been too wrapped up in his own fears to truly see her struggles. The sight of Leon enveloping Aurora in his protective embrace starkly contrasts with Jace’s earlier attempts to shield her, illuminating the painful distance that has grown between them.

In that moment, Jace understands that love isn’t merely about protection; it’s also about granting space for vulnerability and acknowledging the depths of one’s pain. As Aurora leans into Leon’s comforting presence, Jace feels the weight of his own inadequacies pressing down on him. The emotional arc has shifted; what began as frustration and anger has transformed into a deep-seated remorse for not being the brother she needed. He watches, heart heavy, as the bond between them begins to fray, realizing that healing requires more than just good intentions; it demands understanding and respect for her autonomy.

In the quiet aftermath, Jace resolves to confront his own fears and to truly listen to her, hoping that, in time, they can bridge the chasm that has formed. The stars may refuse to blink in the darkness of their shared turmoil, but within that darkness lies the flicker of hope—a chance for healing, connection, and the rediscovery of the bond that once held them close.

**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**

In the upcoming chapter of *Stars Refuse To Blink*, the simmering tension between Jace and Aurora is set to erupt into a confrontation that will irrevocably alter their relationship. With Leon stepping in as a protective barrier, the dynamics of their interactions are about to shift dramatically. Jace, still reeling from Aurora’s unexpected outburst, must grapple with the reality that his sister is not the fragile girl he once believed her to be. As secrets begin to unravel, the reader will be left wondering what lies beneath the surface of Aurora’s pain and how deep the scars truly run.

Expect revelations that will challenge Jace’s perception of his family and himself, as he is forced to confront his own shortcomings as a brother. The chapter promises to delve into the complexities of sibling bonds, exploring themes of trust and betrayal. Will Jace be able to break through the walls that Aurora has built around herself, or will Leon’s protective instincts drive a wedge further between them? As emotions flare and truths are laid bare, the stakes will rise, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover whether love can heal the wounds of the past or if it will only deepen the rifts that threaten to tear them apart.