âBoth, I believe.â Jack had simply responded with a faint smile.
But the same didnât reach up to his eyes which made it very evident that it was the unhappiest part of his life. âShe was madly in love with you and we had nothing in between. The promise I made there also came near....â
âMoreover, with the people aiming to finish my family. I think it is the right to actually take action to protect my loved ones too..â Charles was already impressed by the level of honesty that this man showed to him right now.
It was commendable in his eyes since the man was actually telling this to his face and someone who is the ex-boyfriend of his wife.
Nevertheless, Charles was already imagining the situation in the different outcomes. âSo why have you called me here to talk about it? Donât tell me that you actually want me to get together with your wife and blah blah. It will hurt you too much.â Charlesâs words brought a smile to the manâs face.
His eyes narrowed but then a happy glint passed him through to say, âI know that since I have told you about your son, you will actually take him under your wings. Maybe not right now or straight but you will eventually. So. I was here to have a few more talks regarding some important matters.â
âYou have all my ears.â
.....
âItâs about my business and my daughter,â Jack answered.
The comment made Charlesâs forehead squeeze together where the frown was curved all on its head.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
The narrow glint made him alarmed but he had still managed to tackle the anxiety down, âAiley..what about her?â
âYou must have heard that people are interested in killing me and my entire family. Right now, Iâm the only successor and after me, it will be my daughter.â Jack had honestly replied and gained a nod from Charles. âSo you mean to say that Ailey is also in danger?â
âCorrect. And to avoid that, I have the favors to ask from you.â
Saying this, Jack had already finished his wine. Turning around and staring at the man, without tearing his gaze even for a second.
There was happiness, but over it was the hesitation. Yet the determination which he had, had already taken over all the other merged feelings that arose too.
âNoah is your son, and you will name him as you and Sierraâs son. But for my daughter..I canât risk her life when I will be gone. And her life is beyond the name of her blood and status.â Jack said.
Whereas, Charles had no idea about the reason but the hair on his back was rising on its own.
He had no control over it but trembling, he was getting secured at the manâs words wonât be any other brutal lie either.
Without replying, Charles only passed a small nod to affirm and Jack continued further, âFor me..and my late wife, the last gift we want in our life is to see her settling and living her life without being bewitched in the world of the underworld.â
âShe is pure and innocent. I want her to live that way. And for this purpose, I have to ask a fair question from you...â Jackâs voice had started to trail downwards and it wasnât an unnoticed fact by Charles.
But holding up the courage to hear, Charlesâs curiosity had already reached its peak, âTell me...â
âTake Ailey as yours and Sierraâs child in front of the rest of the world and remove any attachment from me and my family. Give her and treat her as your own daughter, Charles. This is all I have to ask from you as my last wish.â
THUD! THUD!
For the next few minutes, Charlesâs mind had blown up. For now, he had somehow been able to overcome the news that he has a son, and now...Jack was asking him to take Ailey as his daughter too?
But on the second note, Charlesâs genuine need was highly recommended.
She was his daughter and the danger will always linger on her..even if he dies. But they can be removed if he declares Noah and Ailey as his children, by blood
âSo...what will you tell Ailey?â Charles canât help but ask, to which Jack smiled, âJust as what we will tell the rest of the world. Both the siblings are actually real brother and sister and are your children. I was simply a stepdad.â
âAre you willing to take her off from your heritage so easily?â Knowing how much Ailey must mean to him was almost not believable.
He was straight away telling him to take Ailey under his wings which means that in the future, sheâll forget about his existence.
On top of that, his entire heritage will be wiped off. How easy was this to do?
For the next few minutes, Jack hadnât even said a word. He kept himself as quiet as possible with the worried eyes and his mind going through dozens of the undoubted reasons.
Being a father for so many years, he knew how easy it wasnât easy for him since children arenât grown up but not so young either. The time when he held them for the first time.... it always reflected infront of his eyes.
Either it be Noah or Ailey, his heart was attached to both of them equally...
But then, he rose his head to again stare at the man, âMr. Johnson, for me, leaving Ailey is as hard as leaving Noah. But this is for them. Sierra has raised Ailey as hers too, and the bond between siblings is unbreakableâ
âBut for her safety, Iâm giving you one of the clean businesses. Trust me, it has no connection with the underworld. You are requested to manage it under your name until...Ailey becomes an adult and manages it by herself.â
âBut I want her to remain Johnson forever. Are you willing to take her as your daughter...not even as a stepdaughter?â