(Aiden’s POV) “I don’t have to go…” Jessamine’s eyes were on my son.I didn’t want to show her I was nervous, but anxiousness sprawled like wildfire inside me at what she said. Air must have gone so limited, but I dared not to swallow. She might think I was terrified of her. Even though I portrayed a different personality as Adam Knight, she was still my best friend… and Jessamine knew me very well. I raised my head but pursed my lips as I thought of how to attack her.Why does she have to be stubborn? I almost growled but stopped when she raised her head and showed a perky smile to her sister.“But I had to,” she added.I dared not to blink because she really scared me. I knew that cheery smile. It meant she was up to something I would never like.“We’ll be fine, Colleen. You heard him loud and clear. He’s not asking me to live with him. Thank goodness!” She turned her head toward me and raised her eyebrows. “Kyle and I will be back before dinner.”“Ooh… kay,” Colleen slowly looked
(Aiden’s POV) “Mr. Knight.” Will cleared his throat.At first, I thought he would open the car door for me, only to realize he was blocking it. He sniffed and coughed, but the sound was brief and almost hushed. I lifted a brow, staring at him worriedly that he might be sick. If that was the case, I didn’t want him around Jessamine and my son.“Are you okay?” It was Sasha who asked, her eyes on his forehead beading with sweat.Will’s Adam’s apple moved like he was swallowing hard with words in it.“Umm…” He glanced at me, moving to his side and holding the handle but not opening the car door.“What’s the problem?” Sasha asked again, glancing over her shoulder to make sure our bodyguards were around.“Move,” I muttered sternly.Instead of stepping aside, Will took a deep breath. “Mr. Knight, Ms. Sanchez is not inside,” he informed me and opened the back passenger door.I squinted, pursing my lips tightly, not wanting a curse to slip from my mouth. He was not joking. When I lowered my h
(Aiden’s POV) “What are you doing, Dad?” I gasped; my eyes were wide, locking my horrified gaze on my father.Without Jessamine in the room or anywhere in the mansion, I felt I had betrayed my best friend and broken another promise. I loved the idea of having them around, but this was not what I had told her. I didn’t want her to think I took advantage of her again. If Kyle weren’t in his arms, I would forget he was my father and punch him hard.Dad turned his head in my direction and smiled. “Oh, you’re here. Look who’s here, little Adam.”Little Adam?“You lied to me,” I growled, approaching him, but when I got closer, I saw my son’s eyes widen, and then he moved his head as if looking where the sound was coming from.“Ha!” My father beamed, turning his head on his grandchild. “You know Daddy’s voice,” he muttered excitedly.I clenched my fists hard, controlling myself from cursing him.Many of our employees and business partners fear Theodore Knight. Working with him got me to k
(Jessamine’s POV) “Just admit it, Jess. You’re still in love with him,” Deborah chuckled, finding my decision to stay in the Knight’s mansion funny.“Ha! Don’t be ridiculous, Deb.” I rolled my eyes, wandering the bedroom the size of my apartment, maybe twice.I would stay here only for a week, and despite my deal with Theodore Knight, which included providing stuff for us, he still bought everything Kyle needed, from the crib he would only use for a while to diapers and clothes.“I honored our deal,” I remembered Theodore saying, then looked at his wife. “But you can’t stop Susan from shopping.”“Should I have known he’s rich, I would have taken advantage of him.” Deborah laughed giddily at her joke.“Deb!” My eyes widened, still gasping unbelievably at my friend and housemate.Glancing at my wristwatch, I realized it was time to feed Kyle. As much as I didn’t want to leave my son in the family room, I could not say no to Susan when she pleaded to hold Kyle, saying she missed Simone
(Jessamine’s POV) Susan said dinner time was sacred to Theodore Knight whenever he was home because it seldom happened. After that harsh encounter with Aiden in the hallway, I wished to hide and say no to the invitation, but then I realized my stay here was not about him but my deal with Teddy. My hand was on the doorknob, but I looked over my shoulder, not wanting to leave my son to Anne. Susan introduced the forty-three-year-old woman as the nurse-nanny who would help me look after my son. I told her I didn’t need one, but she insisted and told me it would only be for a week.“He’ll be fine,” Anne chuckled softly, glancing at my sleeping son in the crib.I forced a smile and nodded, taking a deep breath to open the door.“Umm…”The ‘Umm’ made me turn. My eyebrows raised, my eyes full of questions more than worry. Anne smiled apologetically and stared at my clothes.“Don’t look at me like that, Anne,” I said, hoping my heart would calm. I was nervous already, and the way she looked
(Jessamine’s POV) The steak was juicy and tender, and another dish was delightful to the taste, but it was not based on my bud experience. It was an earnest comment from Theodore Knight, tasting every dish on the table. He continued to express his thoughts about the food on the table, but I didn’t listen much. “Adam,” Theodore called.He wasn’t calling me, but I raised my head and turned in his direction. I must be imagining it, but there was thoughtfulness in the way he looked at his son.“How was your day, son?” he asked. “I saw the rise in the stock price today.”Aiden only nodded, not answering his father’s question.“Investors have confidence in Adam,” Neomi commented, smiling proudly at the man beside him. “The implementation of his latest AI program was a success.”I lowered my head, focusing on the broccoli on my plate. I had read everything about Adam Knight, and though Aiden was smart… really smart when we were in school together, I didn’t know he could be this genius to
(Jessamine’s POV) Aiden’s bedroom door opening startled me as I returned to my bedroom.My thoughts were too focused on the contract I signed in Teddy’s office. After dinner, he invited me for a private conversation in his office to sign the contract, and I was glad he honored every request I had and stipulated it on the paper. In front of Susan and their family lawyer as their witness, and without consulting Aiden about it, although he was the father, and Xavier as my lawyer, I signed the document.“Aiden, are you trying to kill me?” I hissed, pressing my palms in my chest. I thought my heart would jump out of my body.“Jessamine, please, I want to see my son,” he sighed, scanning the empty hallway.I shook my head and continued to walk. I didn’t know why he had to ask permission when he could have sneaked out and asked Anne when I was not around. He was one of the masters of this grand mansion, so I was sure that even if I told the nanny-nurse that he was not allowed to get near my
(Jessamine’s POV) Aiden is 6’1 feet tall, but he raises his heels and stretches his neck, trying to have a chance to see Kyle, but the elephant-stuffed toy blocks his view. He didn’t argue with me, but he stayed on the side of his bedroom.He heaved a sigh when he couldn’t even have a glimpse of Kyle’s face. Sadness filled his face as he tried again. He attempted another step but glanced at the foot of the doorframe, making sure he did not cross the line.My heart was stung when his lips curved into a gloomy half-smile and breathed out.“For the love of God, Aiden, don’t make me look like the villain here,” I hissed, clenching my hands into fists. “You have a minute to see Kyle.”Aiden’s face lifted up, beaming like I had just announced it was Christmas.“Five minutes?” He was hopeful, carefully stepping into the carpeted floor as if it were a trap.“One minute! That’s all you can get.” I frowned and sat, almost slumping into the chair. Aiden was acting suspiciously, and I hated it