Page 17 of Her Faithful Protector

Sam carries on. “Your fiancé must’ve suspected that you’d escape to Helena because of Morgan.”

I respond, “But he wouldn’t have known the place she had prepared for me. If only I hadn’t gone to the hospital.”

“You did what you had to do!” Sam reassures me.

“I just panicked,” I mention. My mother’s voice echoes in my head again, although not as loud as when I saw Quinton lying in silence. I rue my lapse of judgment. “Quinton only had a slight fever. I should’ve simply given him acetaminophen, and everything would have been all right.”

Jack embraces me, stroking my back lightly as he whispers, “Stop blaming yourself. Please.”

I’m used to fighting my battles alone, but in the midst of chaos, I now know what it feels like to have someone by my side. And it’s not just anyone. It’s a man who has stolen more than a piece of me and one who will go to any lengths for me.

The security in his hold and the way he props me up when I have nothing left within me solidifies the truth in my secret declaration of love for him. If only I could surrender myself completely, allowing him to bear all the burden. But I can’t. I’m a mother. For the sake of Quinton, I’ll set aside my despair and remain strong for my baby.

I indicate that I’m ready to continue the conversation.

“Do you have any idea what their demand might be?” Sam asks.

I reply, “I have no idea. Willem is a wealthy businessman. A tech guru. If he’s really dead, maybe one of his rivals wants something from me. But since I’m not married to Willem yet, I don’t have access to his estate.”

“And if he’s still alive?” Sam asks.

“I don’t know. Maybe he just wants his heir back,” I speculate.

“His heir? That’s how he saw Quinton?” Jack mutters, at a loss for words.

Sam adds, “No doubt your fiancé is aware of your connection with Red Mark.”

“I’m sure he is, yes,” I confirm. It’s a no-brainer since my best friend is married to the head of ops.

“And Willem Botha has the means,” Sam suggests. “He could’ve staged anything.”

“Willem Botha?” Jack looks at me intently. “Willem Botha is your fiancé?”

I whisper a ‘yes,’ too embarrassed to even hear that name. When I first met Willem, his name stood out and made me think of his Dutch-Afrikaans background. However, now, it carries an unfortunate connotation that has tarnished its uniqueness.

“Is that the AI chip guy?” Jack still doesn’t believe it.

Although Willem’s primary business is database technology, he recently made a significant breakthrough in microchip research. It caused quite a stir in the news not too long ago, and obviously, Jack knows about it.

“That’s him,” I confirm.

Jack’s eyes narrow as he asks, “Did he know about me?”

“No.”

“Are you absolutely certain that you never mentioned me to anyone in Cali?”

It feels unjust and hurtful. As if I’ve wiped him out of existence. But I answer, “Nobody knows.”

“In that case, we should split up,” Jack says, looking at his brother.

“What do you mean?” Sam asks, puzzled.

“I don’t believe Willem is dead,” Jack repeats. “You and Red Mark can investigate the kidnapping here. He’s too clever to think that Ava won’t turn to Red Mark just because those men threatened her. So, let’s play along. But we’ll keep the police out of this. Meanwhile, I’ll go to Cali and find out what’s really going on.”

“Jack…” I tremble, worried that he’s doing this without thinking it through.

“You go with my brother. You’ll be safe,” Jack insists.

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