“Like hell I do.”
“Jasper, you aren’t thinking about this clearly! Your health isnotimproving, and you need to ensure that you’ll be able to leave a legacy behind. What about your parents? Should their DNA just disappear off the face of the earth? If something happens to you, then that’s the end. There will be nothing left of your parents. Marrying Crystal ensures your family line continues. Having a child ensures the money stays within the family.”
Every time Eddie explained the need to continue my family line by using my parents, I felt like a failure to them. It was how I got roped into this marrying scheme in the first place. “Eddie, I’m not disagreeing with you. But Crystal isn’t the woman I want carrying my legacy. I don’t even know the woman! I’ve told you, Eddie, I’m not doing this whole marriage thing, let alone having a kid with her. As a matter of fact, fuck the money! When my ass is feet under, I won’t give a rat’s ass who has the money. I don’t give a damn who inherits it! All I know is that I’m done being controlled and treated like a child.”
“Come on, man, I don’t think you’re a child.” There was hurt in his voice. “You’re not only my client, Jasper. You’re my best friend, and I don’t want anything happening to you. Let me come get you.”
Sighing heavily, I leaned back against the cushions. “Look, I know you’re just trying to help. But I needed a break away from the mansion. No more talk about marriage, or babies. Call the police, Eddie, and tell them I haven’t been abducted; I’m not being held somewhere for ransom. I left of my own accord. I’ll call you in a few days.”
“Jasper, wait-”
I ended the call, immediately punching in another set of numbers afterward.
“Good morning, King’s estate. How may I help you?”
A relieved grin made its way onto my face after I heard the familiar voice. “Cheryl, it’s Jasper.”
A loud shriek blasted through the phone, and I winced. “Oh my gosh, Mr. King! Are you okay? Where have you been? Everybody has been looking for you!”
“Yes, I know, but-”
“They’ll be so relieved you’re not dead or something,” the maid continued excitedly. “The police are looking for you too, you know. They were just here last night! Oh, I’ll get Mr. Jeffries. He was just-”
“No!” I closed my eyes, dragging a hand through my hair. The dead silence on the end of the line made me wince. I cleared my throat. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell at you, Cheryl. But don’t tell Eddie I’m calling. Don’t tell anyone, okay?”
“Mr. King, I don’t understand.” Her voice was soft, and I could hear the hurt in it.
“I know,” I said quickly. “But please, I need you to do this for me. Promise me. I’ll double your salary this month!”
“Mr. King…” She didn’t seem interested in the salary. “What’s going on? Where are you? Are you safe?”
I sighed softly. “I’m safe, Cheryl. I wasn’t abducted. I left.”
A beat of silence, then, “Oh. Wow, I didn’t think you’d actually go through with it!”
“I had to. You saw what my life was like. How trapped I was. I couldn’t take it anymore.”
I knew she would understand. Like Nigel, Cheryl only joined our staff when my illness robbed me of the use of my legs. The two of them were the only people I felt were still on my side.
“I know,” she said softly. “I understand why you left, Mr. King. But where are you? Are you sure you’re alright?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. The beginning of this little breakout was a little bumpy, but it worked out.” A smile adorned my face as I looked around the basement, toys still strewn all around. “I’m at a friend's house. They’re taking good care of me. But I left my phone at the mansion, and I need to get a hold of Nigel. Is he there?”
Her silence sent a trickle of apprehension down my spine. “Cheryl?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. King,” she said tentatively. “He’s not here. Mr. Jeffries fired him the morning after you left.”
“What the hell for?”
“I don’t know,” she murmured. “Mr. Jeffries just told us his employment was terminated. He didn’t say why.”
I gripped the bed sheets tightly. That was why I hadn’t been able to contact Nigel earlier. They’d disconnected his work line.
“Do you happen to know his personal phone number?”
“I’m afraid not, sir.”
I cursed my thoughtlessness. I should have gotten Nigel’s personal phone number long before this! Nigel was a good man and a great employee. He had a family to support and would never do anything to jeopardize his employment.
