20. Chapter 20

Chapter 20

-Jared-

After ensuring that Julia had something to eat, I sought medical attention from a private doctor who worked for me. Fortunately, it was my non-dominant hand that was broken. Once the doctor had patched me up and left the room, another person, now dressed in fresh clothes and having showered, appeared. While I was being tended to, a staff member assisted Julia. But now, she stood in the doorway, appearing uncertain.

"Are you all right?" I inquired.

She nodded, but her desires seemed unclear. Then, Julia stormed over to where I sat on my bed. She climbed onto it, found a place among the pillows, and smiled at me. I sighed, shaking my head.

"This isn't your room," I reminded her, my tone firm.

She looked crestfallen, evidently not wanting to be alone. Carefully, she climbed down and headed for the door.

"Do you want me to stay with you until you fall asleep?" I offered.

She glanced back with a smile and nodded. I got up, and Julia, seeming more cheerful, led the way back to her room, preferring the door to remain open. Finding a chair, I brought it over to the bed and sat down. Julia slipped beneath the covers, wrapping herself tightly. However, she couldn't resist checking to see if I was still there.

"I'll be right here," I reassured her.

She seemed comforted, closing her eyes and snuggling into the blankets. Her breathing soon became steady. I initially planned to leave the moment she fell asleep but ended up staying, gazing out the window from the chair. However, I couldn't keep this routine up. The longer I stayed away from Alison, the harder it was for me to sleep, and it was beginning to take its toll.

"What should I do?" I wondered aloud.

I knew that any move I made could jeopardize Alison's life. She was now in their clutches, and I was well aware that Dominic wouldn't treat her kindly if I attempted to snatch her back. A decision had to be made, and I had only three days to make it. Yet, as I looked at Julia, it felt deeply wrong to hand her over. She had no part in these conflicts. She was simply a pawn in a greater scheme, one she never asked to be involved in. What was I supposed to do with her?

I never imagined I'd find myself in Vince's position, and Julia was even younger than I was when I was pulled into this world. I wondered if Vince struggled with the decision he made about me. Perhaps he saw me merely as a weapon, a tool to be wielded. Or maybe he desired a loyal ally he could mold and trust, but over time, our bond grew deeper. We became family. In a world where trust was scarce, we found solace in each other. Yet, how had it all come to this? Was it Julia's fate to follow the same path? The more I dwelled on it, the more my mind felt like it might implode.

Shaking off those thoughts, I turned my focus to Alison. She was my anchor and my refuge in times of turmoil. Even though she wasn't physically by my side, her presence brought me peace. As I drifted between sleep and wakefulness, I dreamed of her. I saw her vividly and felt her warmth enveloping me, her touch soothing. But the dream never fully materialized before my heightened awareness reminded me that sleep was a luxury I couldn't afford.

My body jolted slightly, and I shook my head, immediately focusing on Julia, still peacefully asleep. Glancing out the window, I noticed it was still dark. With caution, I stood from my seat, ensuring not to disturb her as I slipped out of the room and returned to my own to shower and use the bathroom.

After cleansing myself and completing my nightly rituals, I settled into bed. However, as I glanced at the empty space beside me, a sense of emptiness washed over me. There was a time when sharing a bed was unfamiliar territory. Alison was the first, and now her presence was essential for me to find any semblance of rest.

Reaching out, I ran my fingers across the soft sheets, then reached for the pillow that still carried her scent. Instantly, desire surged within me, uncontrollable. My cock grew hard, and I reached down, touching myself. Despite Alison being elsewhere, possibly in danger, I couldn't resist. She was my addiction, her essence driving me to the brink of madness. It had been days since we last fucked, and my body craved the sweet release. Succumbing to the urge, I increased the pace, feeling the climax building within me.

Inhaling deeply, savoring her scent, my hand moved faster over my hard length, my mind consumed by images of her naked form.

"Shit, Alison," I groaned, craving her presence beneath me, yearning to thrust into her and fill her with my cum. I desired to leave my mark on her skin once more, to adorn her with bruises, cuts, and the evidence of my release. I wanted to imprint myself entirely on her.

With a frustrated growl, I buried my face deeper into the pillow before tossing aside the blanket and rising to my knees. I stroked myself fervently, reaching climax within moments and releasing onto the pillow. The orgasm was intense, leaving my body trembling with pent-up frustration and desire.

Though the sensation was sweet, the moment the last drop left me and I was left weakened and trembling, the fleeting relaxation dissipated. It was merely a brief reprieve, devoid of the banter and teasing that typically followed. There was no playful laughter in my ear, no teasing or mockery that would usually prompt me to flip Alison over and indulge in punishing her delectable rear.

The emptiness persisted, and I discarded the pillow, tossing it to the ground before heading to clean myself once more. Standing before the mirror, I noticed Alison's initials etched onto my skin. I reached up, tracing the marks and feeling the bumps of the scars. What if this was all I would have left of her? What if I truly lost her this time because I couldn't embrace the monster I had always believed myself to be? Had I genuinely grown to care for that girl already? And if so, why?

I already knew the answer. I saw too much of myself and Alison in her, as if we had made her together. I never imagined myself as a parent, and I had no intentions of becoming one for Julia. However, that didn't negate the sense of protectiveness I felt toward her, a desire to shield her from all harm, as if safeguarding a part of myself. Vince never gave up on me, so perhaps it was my duty not to give up on her? I couldn't quite decide. I remained conflicted, torn between two conflicting voices battling in my mind.

Standing there for a few moments, ensnared in my own turmoil, I attempted once more to retire to bed, slipping beneath the covers. Unable to bear the sight of Alison's side, I turned away from it. Yet my dreams were plagued with visions of Alison. At first, they were tender, her touch igniting a fire, but then she was torn from my grasp, leaving me chasing a ghost I could never catch. The frustration was maddening. I ran tirelessly, never drawing closer to her.

When I woke again, anger simmered within me, a rage that only Alison could quell. But she wasn't there beside me, her naked form absent, unable to soothe my fury. Her cries for mercy belonged to another, someone unworthy of her, igniting my anger further.

I slid out of bed, my mind clouded by frustration. I needed to clear my thoughts. I quickly found some workout clothes and dressed, then made my way downstairs to our private gym. I began by running, pushing myself until my legs trembled, then turned my fury onto a punching bag, envisioning all the ways I would exact revenge on Dominic and his kin. They wouldn't survive the torment I had planned, but the dilemma remained: how could I reach them without risking harm to Alison? I couldn't bear the thought of her caught in the crossfire, yet the only leverage I had was Julia.

"Focus, you have to focus," I muttered to myself, pacing the room in an attempt to steady my nerves.

My longing for Alison intensified with each passing moment. It was astonishing how much I yearned for her, consuming me like nothing else ever had. I recognized the obsession within me, but I hadn't anticipated its evolution into such a relentless force, overwhelming all reason and logic.

We had spent time apart before, with my duties often pulling me away, but I always found solace in knowing she would be there when I returned—warm and secure in our bed. Now, the uncertainty gnawed at me. What were they doing to her? The mere thought sent a surge of desperation through me. I needed her. I fucking needed her.

I tore off the boxing gloves, tossing them aside with a frustrated grunt. I needed to regain focus. This couldn't continue.

"Calm down. Alison needs you," I reminded myself, my voice barely above a whisper.

Just then, the heavy iron door clicked open, and I turned to see a staff member entering.

"What is it?" I asked.

"She's asking for you," the staff member replied.

I furrowed my brow, momentarily confused about who "she" referred to, before remembering.

"Why?" I inquired.

"She doesn't want to eat breakfast without you," the woman explained.

"Well, I don't have time. Let her know," I replied firmly.

"I already did, but she refuses."

I groaned, feeling a sense of déjà vu. Only Alison used to have this effect on me. Had she passed on her stubbornness to Julia during their time together?

"Fine," I relented, stepping away from the gym.

I didn't bother returning to shower or changing into fresh clothes. All I needed was to be with Julia and ensure she ate. Making my way to the dining room, I found Julia once again seated in one of the large chairs, her feet dangling above the ground as she poked at her breakfast, her expression solemn. Upon hearing me enter, she turned her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

"You're supposed to eat it, not play with it," I gently scolded, taking a seat a few chairs away.

Leaning slightly to the side, a staff member approached to serve me, but my appetite was nonexistent.

"You're not eating either," Julia observed.

"Well, I'm the grown-up, so I can decide for myself."

"I'm not a kid," she retorted, shooting me a defiant glare before focusing on her food.

As I watched Julia, I couldn't help but acknowledge her point. The innocence of childhood that should have been hers seemed absent, replaced by a premature maturity, a reflection of the challenges she had faced.

"Well, if you want to prove you're not a kid, you should eat something. It'll help you grow bigger," I suggested.

Seemingly swayed by my words, she began eating, her demeanor easing slightly. However, her pace was slow, and her worry was evident.

"How long will Alison be with them?" She finally voiced her concerns.

"For a little while longer."

"Will we see her again?" she asked.

I groaned, rubbing my eyes, grappling with the same question. One thing remained certain: I couldn't imagine life without Alison. She was the driving force that filled my existence, the very reason I drew breath. Without her, there seemed little purpose in carrying on.

"Jared?" Julia's voice interrupted my thoughts, pulling me back to the present.

I raised my head, meeting her gaze, which bore the weight of too much pain for a child.

"Yes, we will see her again," I assured her, though my own certainty wavered.

"You don't sound certain," she observed.

"I am."

She sighed, shaking her head, choosing to focus on her food rather than press the issue further.

"Why am I so important to them?" she ventured.

"I'm sure you overheard," I murmured, briefly avoiding her gaze as I stared at a spot on the wall.

"I don't understand," she confessed.

"It's like being a key."

"A key?" she echoed, her brow furrowing.

"Yes. You unlock doors to opportunities and wealth," I elaborated.

"And then?"

"And then... that's it. People value the key for what it can provide," I stated.

"What happens to the key afterward?" she inquired.

I shrugged. "That's a good question. It depends on whether it's needed again."

Julia gasped softly, her complexion paling as realization dawned on her.

"A-Are they going to kill me like my dad murdered my mother? Because I'm a key?" she whispered, fear lacing her words.

"No," I replied firmly.

"But how can you be sure?"

"Because I won't allow it. I got you out of that house, didn't I?" I reminded her.

"You brought me to them as well," she pointed out.

"Yes, but that was before I understood their intentions. You're here now, not with them," I emphasized.

"But then how will you get Alison back?"

"I..." I faltered, unable to provide a definitive answer.

"You don't know, do you? Because my grandparents are like my dad, no one enters without their permission," she murmured, turning away.

"How much do you know about what your dad did?" I probed gently.

She shrugged. "Mom explained a little, likening it to the hero and the villain."

"Your dad isn't a hero," I interjected.

"No, I know. Mom said the same thing," she whispered, her gaze downcast. I paused, then turned back to Julia.

"Did he ever lay a hand on you?" I asked, my voice tense.

She shook her head. "He only hurt Mom, but I didn't like seeing or hearing it."

"You witnessed it?" I pressed, feeling a surge of anger rise within me.

"Sometimes. When I did, she wouldn't even care about her wounds. She would come to me, comfort me, and assure me it would be all right. I miss her hugs," she confessed, her words tugging at my heartstrings. It reminded me of the countless times my own mother had comforted me after enduring my father's wrath.

Why did this girl feel like a younger version of myself, albeit from a privileged background? It was a puzzling connection, yet it compelled me to seek more answers.

"Did your mother ever talk about leaving him?" I inquired.

"Once, but I think she was just upset. He had hurt her again, and I had gone to see her. She always told me I made her feel better. She just kept saying that someone would take us away. I didn't understand who," Julia explained.

I had my suspicions, but I kept them to myself.

"But she never mentioned it again?" I pressed.

"No, not really. Then one day, my dad came and told me she had left," she admitted.

"Just like that?"

"Yes," she confirmed.

"What did you think?" I probed further.

"I thought he was lying, so he let me search the house. Most of her stuff was gone, like she had packed in a hurry. Her car was gone, and even her favorite jewelry was missing. She left behind a letter, but something felt off about it," Julia confessed.

"What?"

"The way she wrote wasn't how she usually spoke. It sounded... rehearsed," she explained. "Now I understand why."

Her voice lowered, and the gravity of the situation settled between us.

"He hurt her," she whispered. "Because she didn't love him. She loved someone else more."

"More? Who?" I inquired.

"There was someone who always made her smile and laugh, and when she got hurt, he took care of her wounds," Julia revealed.

"And who was that?"

"The man who always followed her," she replied solemnly.

"Followed her where?" I asked.

"Wherever she went."

"You mean, a guard?" I suggested.

"Yes, he protected her. She smiled a lot when he was near," she admitted.

"Did you ever speak to him?" I inquired.

"Not really. But I did catch him watching me sometimes, but I guess that was his job, right?" she questioned, and I remained quiet for a moment, piecing some things together, before she called my name.

I began nodding. "Yes, that was his job. You wouldn't know what happened to him, right?"

"No, he disappeared when my mother did. Do you think my dad hurt him too?" she inquired.

He had to, especially if that guard was truly Julia's father. Louis couldn't afford anyone challenging his parental rights. I didn't know if Louis had conducted any tests or if paternity had ever been confirmed, but it seemed suspicious how Julia's mother spoke as if they were going to escape together and of her fondness for the guard. It might just be a theory, but it was a compelling one.

"Most likely," I replied.

"That's too bad. He was nice. At least he was kind to my mother," Julia lamented.

"Yes, she probably found a friend amidst it all," I mused.

"I wish I had some."

"Friends?" I clarified.

She nodded.

"You don't have any?"

"When my mom left, my ability to move around was completely restricted," she explained. "I always stayed indoors except for about an hour every week when I'm allowed to go outside."

"Here, you're free to move around," I assured her. "But don't venture outside the gate without a guard, okay?"

"Why?" she questioned.

"Just for your safety," I assured her. "And I'd like for you to stay here until I bring Alison back."

"I thought you said I could roam freely," Julia challenged.

"I meant within this area."

"So you're keeping me locked up?" she accused.

"No, Julia, I'm keeping you safe. If they get their hands on you, I have nothing to bargain with," I explained.

"Bargain? I thought you said you wouldn't let them take me!" she accused.

"I'm not going to," I reassured her.

"But you said bargain!"

"What I meant was, they won't touch Alison as long as I have you, because if they do, they know they'll never see you again," I clarified.

"So you will hand me over to them?" she inquired.

"No, I—" I paused as an idea came to mind, and I studied Julia before me. She noticed my scrutiny, looking perplexed.

"What?" she asked. "Are you going to hand me over?"

"Maybe," I replied, and she grew frightened, tears welling in her eyes.

"Please don't, Jared, please don't do that. I don't want to be near them. They are not good!" she pleaded.

"Calm down, I won't hand you over to them forever. Just temporarily," I assured her, though I realized I probably shouldn't have revealed my plan in such a blunt manner. It had just come to me suddenly.

"What do you mean?" she asked carefully.

"You want to help me get Alison back, right?"

"Y-Yes," she stammered.

"Then I need your help," I continued.

"How so?"

"Because your family wants you. I will set up an exchange. They will probably want me on their territory again, and we can use that to our advantage. The last thing they expect is a little girl like you resisting," I explained.

"I'm not that little!" she insisted.

I smiled, then sat up higher. With a sweeping gesture from side to side, I demonstrated the height difference between us.

"That's unfair. You're very tall," she murmured accusingly, and my smile widened.

"And you're very small. Has your dad not been feeding you properly?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"He fed me," she replied.

"But he didn't let you outside," I concluded.

She shook her head.

"How about exercise? Vitamins?" I asked. Did I just ask about vitamins? Who had I become? Should I ask if she had done her homework next?

She shook her head once more.

"Never played soccer?"

"Soccer?" she inquired, her confusion evident.

"Where you kick a ball," I explained.

She looked at me with deep confusion, and I sighed.

"We have some things to rectify," I muttered before returning to the topic of our plan.

"I don't trust your family to hand Alison back to me," I continued.

"Why not?" Julia questioned.

"Because, as you heard, they aren't exactly honorable. But I need to prepare for both scenarios: one where they hand her over and one where they don't."

"What happens if they stay true to their word?" Julia asked.

"Then I need you to break out of there," I replied.