“We may start now, Mr. Featherstone.”
I was reminded of the things I heard two nights ago, and my heart started to pound with fear, but I clenched my fists. Calm down, I told myself, then I took a deep breath.
I straightened myself out before going toward the room Joseph was guarding. The sounds of my heels traveled across the corridor, alerting the bodyguards. A moment later, Joseph and the bodyguards stopped me.
“Mrs. Featherstone, why did you come all the way here?” he asked. “I’ll take you back.”
The bodyguards behind him tried to escort me, but I refused to budge. If looks could kill, they would have been dead by then.
Joseph’s men knew who I was, so they paused halfway through when they noticed the tension in the air. Then they went back to him.
I threw Joseph a look of anger. “Still want to stop me?”
Joseph didn’t answer, but he looked troubled. That was more than enough to tell me Anthony was risking his life in that room. I couldn’t just stand by, so I cut through them and tried to open the door.
But Joseph suddenly called out to me. I turned around by reflex, then the last thing I saw was a chop, and everything went black.
The first thing I saw when I regained consciousness was the chandelier. I’m back home, huh? I was alone in the room, accompanied by nothing but the chirps outside. The blinds were pulled, but the bright sunlight still pierced through nonetheless.
I tried to get up, but the waves of pain from my neck made me gasp. I held it in an attempt to soothe the pain as I struggled to get up. Then I closed my eyes and recalled everything that happened in the basement.
I was so close to finding out what Anthony was doing, but Joseph knocked me out. There was no time for details—I had to go back to the basement to see if Anthony was safe.
I quickly wore a jacket and darted out, then I bumped into John. “You seem to be in a hurry.” John rubbed his neck.
I took a second to calm myself down. “My firm took on a lot of cases.” I covered my mouth, pretending to yawn. “We’re really busy right now.”
“Is that so?” John gave me a doubtful look before going downstairs. “Is Brooklyn trying to work you to death!” he mumbled.
I shrugged. Even though my family owned the firm, I was just an intern there. John is being unreasonable. Being just an ordinary employee there, Brooklyn has every right to assign work to me.
Emma and Louis were having breakfast in the dining room when I followed John down to the living room. “I’m not hungry, Uncle Louis. You guys go on ahead. I’ll be going to work.” I went out, pretending nothing was wrong.
“Hold up.” John caught up with me and dragged me back. “Nothing’s more important than your health. Finish your breakfast.”
“I don’t have time! My client is waiting for me.” I tried to break free, but John forced me to sit down.
“Shut up and eat up.” John served me a bowl of chicken soup and looked me in the eye. He then shifted his gaze to Louis, hinting me he could tell Louis to make me stay if he wanted to.
Dammit. I couldn’t refuse if it were Louis. Besides, getting lectured by him would be the worst. Well, I had no choice but to finish my chicken soup. At the same time, I observed everyone.
It was odd nobody asked me about last night. I went out late and came back obviously knocked out. I expected it from Emma since she was a happy-go-lucky woman, but John? He should have known what happened. He was always an alert one.
Then John gave me some sausages. “Take a day off, Sienna. Sleep in for a while longer. I need you to come with me later.”
I looked at Emma. “Who, me?” Then I pointed at myself. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll find out. Now finish your breakfast.” John smiled mysteriously.
“Why don’t you ask Emma? I’m occupied.”
“No.” Emma and John refused at the same time, then they threw a look of disgust at each other.
Emma piped up, “I have an appointment, Letty. Sorry, but you’ll have to take this.”
I was about to say something, but John retorted sarcastically, “Another day, another geezer, huh? I don’t mind putting them to the test for you, you know.”
Emma sneered, “Thanks, but I’d prefer it if you’d stay out of my way.” She glared at him. “Really, please. Well, I’m done with brekkie. See you around.” She picked up her handbag and left.
I was starting to panic, so I put everything down and got up. “Alright, I have to go now, or I’ll be late.”
John stopped me. “Are you sure you want to miss seeing Jackson over this?”
That surprised me. “Jackson’s awake?”
John shrugged smugly. “And he specifically asked for you. So do you want to go?”
“Of course I do.”
After about an hour, John took me to a house in a rural resort. We were surrounded by nothing but mother nature the moment we came in. The air was spectacularly fresh thanks to the morning rain.
But when I came to Jackson’s room, I was starting to get nervous.
He was a good friend for many years. We used to be like family, but we got into a big fight over Summer’s custody a few months ago. However, he risked his life to protect me later on. I wondered how our reunion would be, but I started getting nervous when the time actually came.
My palms were sweaty. I couldn’t bring myself to ring the bell, but Jackson asked, “I know it’s you, Letty.” His voice was as angelic as usual.
I started tearing up, but I mustered up my courage and went inside.
Jackson was facing the window, the sunlight enveloping him. He looked like an angel basking in the lights of heaven, but he looked gaunt after being bedridden for months. He was supporting himself with a crutch, though he looked like he could fall at any moment.
“Jackson…” I was at a loss for words, for my excitement overwhelmed me.
“Have a seat.” Jackson smiled, then he sat on the rocking chair beside him.
The clutch was sitting idly beside the rocking chair, and the sunlight shone on the room, erasing all the gloomy air inside.
Jackson woke up three days earlier, then he went through rehab before finally being able to walk. But he looked clumsy, so I knew he hadn’t fully healed just yet.
“I thought the kids would be here too,” Jackson joked.
I sniffled. “I was too excited when John told me you’re awake.” I fumbled for an explanation. “So I totally forgot about it. We can go straight back to see them though, Jackson. You should see them. After all, you’ve risked your life for them.”
“I’m not in a hurry.” Jackson smiled warmly. “I can always see them after this.”
I knew he was a really nice guy. “Have you forgiven me?” It took everything I had to ask, but the moment I did, everyone fell silent, much to my worry.
A short while later, Jackson looked at John and chuckled, “I see. You were right, John. Everyone’s been worried about me. Looks like I’m more trouble than I’m worth, huh?”
Well, that was depressing, and it ended the conversation for me. Of course, everyone would worry. Someone close to them was in the ICU after all.
“Let’s not talk about that.” Jackson shifted the topic and looked at me happily. “I told my lawyer to withdraw the case. Summer and Audrey are your daughters, Sienna. That will never change.”
I felt a surge of gratitude and affection for him. “Thank you, Jackson.” Tears welled up in my eyes.
Reconciliations were always touching. Even John, the tough guy, sniffled quietly. “You were a b*stard, Jackson, but that sleep did you good. Now that you’re not trying to take my niece away, you aren’t that annoying anymore. The reports about you are taken down, so just open up the clinic after you’re healed up. A diamond always shines no matter where it is, you know.”
“Thanks, but I’m not planning to reopen my clinic.” He looked at me, feeling crestfallen. “I’ve talked with Lydia, and I’ve decided to return to M Country.”
“Yeah. You gotta recharge yourself.” K City had nothing but malice for him. There was nothing memorable for him in this ice-cold metropolis.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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