Chapter 250 Bonus – What to Do

Chapter 250 Bonus – What to Do
Lainey’s POV

I had just arrived home when I was attacked with puppy kisses and hugs. Chewie had been extra clingy after we returned from our honeymoon, so much so that we had my mom come and stay with him for a few hours a day.

“Lainey, my baby girl, how was work?” Mom called from the kitchen before walking out into the living room. “Good lord, child, you look exhausted. Come sit down.”

I moved to the couch and sat down holding Chewie. “The surgery was 6 hours today,” I stated. “Then I had an unexpected visitor.”

“Oh?” Mom queried.

I explained the lawyer's visit, and my mom broke into a big grin.

“I know exactly what you should do,” Mom expressed. “A charity fund for sexual abuse survivors and anti-human trafficking.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” I said, smiling. “I don’t want any part of the money, so I think donating it all to a project that counteracts the harm both of those men did in the world would be the best.”

“I agree with you,” Mom advised. “You know, making this world a safer place for women has always been a passion of mine.”

“Mom, that’s why I think you should run the organization,” I expressed. “I can’t think of a better person to head it.”

“Lainey, are you serious?” Mom asked excitedly.

“Absolutely,” I grinned, hugging her. “I’m actually hiring Lane for the Lainey Forest Foundation for Children and transferring the women's section over to your organization. What do you say?”

“Oh, Lainey!” Mom said, tearing up. “I’m so very proud of the woman you have become.”

“I’m just following in my mom’s footsteps,” I beamed, hugging her tightly.

“Hey, all this sugar and none for me?” Ben called as he walked through the door.

Mom let go of me and headed straight for Ben. “You know I always have sugar for the best son-in-law in the world,” Mom said, smiling, and then hugged him.
I let out a little giggle. “Sometimes I think she has more sugar for you than she does for me.”

“You know I love you both,” Mom said, walking towards the couch and picking up Chewie. “But if the ship was sinking and I could save only one person, Chewie would beat you both.”

“He’s not a person, Mom,” I laughed.

The timer on the stove went off. “Oh, supper is served in 10 minutes,” Mom informed. “Ben, Lainey, go change, and I’ll have lasagna on the table by the time you’re finished.”

“Mom, you didn’t have to cook for us,” I declared. “Thank you, though.”

“I’m kind of being selfish, I want to spend time with you, Ben, and Chewie,” Mom said sheepishly.

“You’re welcome any time, Angelica,” Ben stated. “Especially if you make lasagna,” he chuckled and rubbed his hands together.

“Great to know I’m loved for my lasagna,” Mom said, rolling her eyes.

“You know I love you for more than that,” Ben replied. “You’re the coolest mother-in-law in the history of the world.”

“Oh, Ben,” Mom said, blushing. She then walked off to the kitchen.

I walked towards the bedroom to change, and Ben followed. As soon as we were in the bedroom, Ben lifted me and kissed me hard. “Hey, sexy mama,” Ben grinned. “I missed you.”

“I missed you, too,” I said, smiling as Ben set me down. “How was your day?”

“Busy, but I got a lot accomplished,” Ben said, stripping out of his suit.

Damn, he’s so hot. I shook my head to get out of the trance his body had me in.

We quickly changed and headed to the dining room, following the delicious scent of cheese and marinara sauce.

We ate and laughed, and I explained Jonah’s will situation. Ben was shocked that I was the sole heir and wholeheartedly agreed with my idea of a foundation with the estate.
“You know what would make it even sweeter?” Ben declared. “If you turn Phillipe’s brownstone townhouse in downtown Dallas into the headquarters and safe house for the foundation. He would be turning over in his grave.”

“Ben! That’s an amazing idea,” I squealed.

We all finished supper and cleaned up. Ben headed to his office to finish up some paperwork, and Mom headed home with Chewie for a ‘sleepover.’

I was doing a little tidying up when I saw my purse on the couch. When I picked it up, I noticed Jonah’s letter sticking out. I grabbed it and sat on the couch. Why did it scare me so much to open it up? My fingers broke open the seal, and I removed it from the envelope. I gasped. It was written on the pale pink paper I had in prep school. It was a big pad of paper I had sitting on my desk in my apartment. I knew it was mine because Mom had bought it, it was personalized with my name at the top, ‘From the desk of Madelaine Black.’
Did that mean he had been in my apartment? I cringed at the thought and started to read.

Maddy,
My love. My soul. If you are reading this letter, it means that I have passed on without realizing my one true goal in life, to make you mine. It’s all I longed for in life. For you to call me your own and for me to do the same in return.
Looking back, I should have wooed you. Showered you with flowers, love, and affection, but my reality of love is so skewed. I never had real love in my life. In fact, I think I don’t even know what it is. I never saw my parents and was basically raised by a nanny who was just there for a paycheck. As soon as I was old enough, I was shipped off to boarding school. I stayed at boarding school most holidays until I met Ben.
My heart ached for you, though. It was consumed by an all encompassing need to consume and own you. It made me do irrational things.
I apologize for anything I may have done to hurt you, but my love for you often overtook my sanity.
I hope you live a long and happy life. Please use my estate to make yourself joyful.
I will always love you, in this life and for eternity.
Jonah

I didn’t know what to say or do. All I knew was I needed a hug from my husband. I walked into the den and sat in Ben’s lap.

“What are you doing?” Ben smirked.

“I just need you to hold me,” I whispered.

“Any time, my sweetness,” Ben purred. “Any time.”