Chapter 93

Chapter 93
VERA'S POV
Jack agreed to stay in the hospital until the doctors confirmed that he was fully recovered and fit to go home.
Natalie Bells was in police custody. According to Harry, she cried constantly and begged for forgiveness. She didn’t want to end up in prison.
Kenneth, on the other hand, was being held until his court hearing. I believed justice would be served and that he’d spend the rest of his miserable life behind bars.
The police assured us everything was under control. They told me not to be scared and encouraged me to go about my normal activities and focus on my business.
But Jack refused to let me and Timothy return to his mansion alone. Even when his mother and sister offered to stay with us, he insisted that officers be stationed at the house and accompany us wherever we needed to go.
I understood his fears, and to be honest, having police protection made me feel safer, even if it didn’t seem necessary. I barely had time to go home anyway. I spent almost every day by his side at the hospital.
Hannah and Jessica visited us regularly, and their company meant a lot, especially after Nathan was discharged. They brought laughter and warmth, making the long hospital days pass quickly.
That one month in the hospital flew by. I didn’t miss home much because I was too focused on caring for Jack, and trust me, he had his own charming ways of keeping boredom away.
When he was finally discharged and we went home together, he looked genuinely happy. I was relieved, too. At the hospital, there had been no privacy. Nurses and visitors were constantly around.
After the initial celebration at home, with his family, Hannah and her husband, Jessica, Nathan, Max, Mrs. Briggs, and others welcoming him back, we finally got some alone time. His mother took Timothy home for the evening.
I sat across from Jack at the dinner table and watched him with a soft smile as he finished his wine. He poured himself a glass of brandy and raised it slightly toward me.
"You're acting weird. Did you drink too much?" he asked, swirling the brandy like it was tea.
"I just want to stare at you like this," I said, resting my chin on my hand.
"Are you trying to seduce me with those mysterious eyes?"
"Mysterious? What do you mean?" I laughed, licking my lips slowly.
He tilted his head and blinked a couple of times, pretending to be cautious.
"The doctor said I shouldn't overexert myself, you know."
"Who said I was planning to stress you?" I laughed, walking over to stand behind him.
"I think I need a personal assistant. Your hands are too special."
"Are you joking?" I asked, wrapping my arms around his neck.
"I know you’d enjoy working with me. I just hope you'll like my kind of distraction, too." He sipped the brandy slowly.
I grabbed the glass from him and downed the drink in one gulp. Setting the empty glass aside, he pushed his chair back, and I climbed onto his lap, kissing him deeply.
"This kind of distraction? Get used to it!" I whispered as his lips found my neck.
"What about your mother, Vera?" he paused and looked at me seriously.
"Do we have to talk about that now?"
"Yes, because you deserve to be truly happy and free of any emotional baggage. You can’t keep avoiding it."
"Fine," I replied, not wanting to ruin the mood. He always knew the right time to bring up difficult topics.
"I love you," he said softly.
"Don’t ever stop saying that to me. And don’t forget to keep kissing me. Always."
"Then I should probably buy you a ring. Will you accept it? As a sign of my love and a claim over your heart?"
"Only if you propose properly."
"Are you sure?"
I nodded and hugged him tight. "Yes! Yes!! Yes!!!"
"Then we’ll have two adorable sons soon, because the cops are bringing Malone back tomorrow."
"Not just two! There's another one on the way."
"Wait… Are you…"
"No, but we’re about to make a baby now."
"The doctor said—"
"Don’t worry. I’ll be very careful."
"Vera…"
"Shut up!"
"You’re…"
"Shut the fuck up!"

JACKSON'S POV
When I opened my eyes the next morning, Vera was lying right beside me, still fast asleep. Her soft skin was warm against mine, and her arms and legs wrapped around me like a blanket.
I gently moved her arms from my neck and her legs from around my waist, laying her back comfortably. She let out a soft breath and relaxed.
I didn’t want to wake her, so I slipped out of bed quietly. She deserved to sleep in and recharge after last night.
I planned to take a quick shower, but the sound might wake her. So I made my way downstairs to fix breakfast instead.
I had just started brewing coffee when I heard her footsteps. She walked into the kitchen with a smile, then wrapped her arms around me in a warm hug.
"I know I didn’t wake you. I was quiet enough," I said, brushing her hair back.
"You didn’t wake me. I just couldn’t resist the smell of that strong coffee. I’m starving, but I was too lazy to get up until the scent pulled me in." She laughed sleepily.
Her laughter filled the room, and I couldn’t stop staring at the dimples on her cheeks.
"Help yourself," I said, gesturing to the coffee.
I kissed her forehead and went to answer the door. The doorbell had rung, but I’d been too focused on her voice.
Opening the door, I wasn’t surprised to see Harry standing there with a young boy. One look, and I knew it was Malone. He had Vera’s features, no doubt.
"Thanks, Harry. Come in," I said, stepping aside.
Vera walked in from the kitchen and almost dropped her coffee mug. I caught her just in time.
"I’ll be heading out now, Mr. Jackson. Oh, and before I forget, Natalie Bells requested to see Miss Santos," Harry said as he let go of Malone’s hand.
Malone looked up at Harry, then back at Vera. He didn’t move, unsure of what to do, and just stood there, staring.
"My son…" Vera whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks.
Then the boy spoke up, sharp, bold, and direct.
"Why didn’t you come for me? Why did you let me grow up with that asshole before finally showing up?!"
"Even if I told you that I’ve been searching for you since the day you were born, I know you wouldn’t believe me," Vera said, walking over and taking his hand.
He looked at their joined hands but didn’t relax. He was going to be tall, with broad shoulders, not like Kenneth’s. And that attitude? Straight to the point. Clearly, Kenneth raised him that way.
He was almost as tall as me already, definitely taller than Vera. He was growing fast, just like Tim.
"Mr. Jackson Taylor?" Harry said, clearing his throat.
"Oh, right. You can go now, Harry. I’ll check in with you later. Don’t hesitate to call if anything comes up. Thanks again."
"All right. Take care." He walked out and shut the door.
I knew I needed to give Vera and Malone time alone. They had a lot to talk about and years to make up for.
I took the mug from her hand and gave her an encouraging nod, then stepped out of the kitchen. It was time to cook breakfast, for three now.