Chapter 9 - The Secret Jack Kept Until the Day He Asked Grace to Stay Forever
A year later, Jack and Grace were planning their wedding.
But Jack had one secret left.
He took Grace to his mother's old house.
They entered the attic.
A box sat beneath a window.
Inside was a letter.
From Eleanor Remington.
Jack opened it.
She had written everything.
She had known about the trafficking network.
She had tried to stop it.
She had hidden the ledger.
She had protected Evelyn.
And she had loved Grace before Grace was born.
At the end was a sentence that broke Jack.
Your father was cruel, but your son must never become him.
Jack stared.
Grace touched his shoulder.
“Your son?”
Jack looked at her.
His eyes were wet.
“My mother always thought I would have a family.”
Grace smiled.
“You do.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
They sat together.
Jack told her about every fear.
Every nightmare.
Every memory.
He had never told anyone.
Grace listened.
Then she whispered:
“You don't have to carry it alone.”
He held her.
That night, they returned home.
Grace placed her head against his chest.
“Do you regret meeting me?”
“Never.”
“Even though I ruined your carefully organized life?”
“You improved it.”
She laughed.
“That's very romantic.”
“I've been practicing.”
She smiled.
Then she felt his hand on her stomach.
She froze.
“What?”
He smiled.
“Nothing.”
“Jack.”
He laughed.
“I was thinking.”
“About?”
“A future.”
She leaned closer.
“What kind?”
He kissed her forehead.
“The kind with too many toys.”
Grace's eyes widened.
“Wait.”
He smiled.
She covered her mouth.
“You're serious?”
He nodded.
Their life had changed again.
A baby.
A family.
A future.
Something Jack had once thought impossible.
He had spent his life protecting an empire.
May you like
Now he wanted to protect a home.
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