Chapter 9
Cassidy sneered, “Think I care about you? I’m just worried you’ll die in my house”
“I won’t die.” Nathan said no more and held her tightly.
Cassidy couldn’t see his face clearly, but she felt his irregular, labored breathing and his tense body. His head was down, his face buried against her collarbone, and his skin felt warm. Tenderly, she placed her fingers on his forehead, realizing, He’s burning up. His fever is high.
“If you’re seeking death, don’t do it in my house, Cassidy snapped, trying to break free from his embrace. But his grip was too strong, leaving her no room to escape,
She stopped struggling, and soon, his breathing grew even. It seemed he had finally fallen asleep, finding solace with her in his arms. His insomnia which had been bothering him for years was cured in an instant.
In the light, Nathan’s pale face slick with cold sweat. Cassidy remembered how this strong man never used to frown, even when his bones were dislocated. As a child, he had suffered from severe Asperger’s Syndrome. Though he had exceptionally high IQ, he preferred solitude and avoided socializing. He was always quiet, rarely speaking, and even when in intense pain.
Seeing him asleep, Cassidy gently broke free from his embrace and reached for her phone to call an ambulance. After a moment’s hesitation, she decided against it and returned to the couch. Carefully, she unbuttoned a few of his buttons, pulled his shirt halfway down his shoulder, and changed his gauze while he slept.
Suddenly, his phone rang. Cassidy quickly took it out of his blazer and was stunned upon checking the caller ID which read: [Jayden]
Jayden… Nathan’s son with Meredith, she thought. Her emotions toward Jayden were intricate. She couldn’t ignore the connection she harbored for the child she had carried for ten months. However, he was also the offspring of Nathan and Meredith–the two individuals she detested the most in the world.
Cassidy glanced at Nathan, who had just fallen asleep, and quietly took his phone to the balcony before answering the call.
“Daddy, when will you come home?” Jayden’s cold voice came from the other end.
Cassidy felt her throat tighten, suddenly unable to speak.
“Hello?” Jayden asked.
Cassidy took a deep breath and forced a smile. “Do you need something from him?
There was a brief silence before Jayden hung up. Cassidy glanced at the disconnected call, and as she was about to walk back, the phone rang again. It was still Jayden.
As soon as she answered, Jayden’s cold voice demanded, “Who are you?”
“Why did you hang up?” Cassidy countered.
Jayden ignored her question, terse as usual. “Answer me first.”
Cassidy retorted, “Answer my question first. Do you know it’s impolite to hang up on someone?”
“Answer my question first, Jayden insisted.
Cassidy sighed. “How can I answer your question if you don’t answer my question?”
“Boring.” Jayden replied.
“You’re the boring one. If you don’t answer my question, I’ll hang up. Cassidy shot back, pretending to end the call.
“Wait!” Jayden’s cold expression didn’t waver as he stood up from the couch and headed upstairs to the study. Closing the door behind him, he glanced at the phone screen and, with rare patience, said, “I thought I called the wrong number.”
Known for his reticence, Jayden usually used as few words as possible. Yet, he made an exception for this stranger. “Tell me who you are, he insisted.
On the other end of the phone, Cassidy chuckled and replied in a gentle but playful tone, “Isn’t that a bit rude? Try to sweeten the request instead of demanding it.”
12:19 PM
Chapter 9
Jayden was speechless. He always spoke this way to everyone at home. After all, he was the young heir of the Howell family. who ruled over Clusia. Except for Nathan, no one dared to address him this way or demand politeness from him. “You..” he began.
“Ma’am,” Cassidy patiently corrected.
Jayden gritted his teeth. Normally, he would have hung up by now, but something about Cassidy’s voice intrigued him. He remained on the line, his tone soft and childish, yet carrying a maturity beyond his years. “Ma’am, may I know who you are?”
That’s a good boy! I’m your daddy’s friend” Cassidy chuckled.
“What kind of friend?” Jayden asked.
“It’s a secret, Cassidy responded playfully.
Words eluded Jayden.
“Anything else? Otherwise, I’ll hang up now, Cassidy said.
“Wait” Jayden clenched the phone tighter. “What’s your name?”
“Huh?” Cassidy responded.
“Your name,” Jayden said.
“Call me Ms. Saunders. See you, Jayden, Cassidy said before hanging up.
Jayden stared at the phone, his eyelashes trembling slightly. Somehow, hearing Cassidy say his name made his heart skip a beat. It was a new, indescribable feeling.
Jayden?” Meredith opened the door and walked in Jayden turned to look at her, his expression instantly turning cold
“Did your Daddy y answer the phone? Meredith asked.
“No,” Jayden replied curtly
“No? I thought you were here to answer the phone, Meredith said suspiciously.
Jayden remained silent and moved to walk out the door. Meredith gently grabbed his arm, pulling him in front of her as she squatted down. “Who were you talking to?”
As she spoke, she reached for his phone, but as soon as she opened the call log, Jayden quickly snatched it back. “Don’t go. through my phone.”
Meredith stared at him, stunned. No matter how hard she tried to please him, he remained indifferent. She saw the call log showing “Daddy” with a duration of five minutes. “You’re lying. You just called your Daddy and lied to me.”
Jayden looked at her coldly and said, “It wasn’t Daddy who answered.”
“Who was it then?” Meredith asked.
“A woman,” Jayden replied tersely.
Meredith frowned instantly. “A woman?”
“Ms. Saunders,” Jayden said before walking past her and leaving the room.
Meredith sensed something was wrong and immediately called Nathan. The call went straight to voicemail. She tried again. only for it to happen once more. After several attempts, the phone was turned off. ‘Ms. Saunders. Meredith’s thoughts raced, her unease mounting. She picked up her phone and dialed the number of a private investigator.
“What can I do for you, Ms. Jensen?” the investigator answered,
“Check Nathan’s location for me,” Meredith instructed.
“Okay,” the investigator responded.
An hour later, Meredith arrived at the Wailace Residence. The private investigator had tracked Nathan’s phone signal to this fancy neighborhood–one of Broburgh’s top ten. Nathan didn’t have a place there, piquing Meredith’s interest even more
