Chapter 41

-Jared-

When I finally departed Alison's house in the evening, after a day spent indulging in sex, relaxation, and aimless conversation, a profound longing gripped me. It was an unfamiliar sensation, one that resonated deep within me. As I left Alison resting on the couch, having succumbed to sleep during a movie neither of us had truly been invested in, my steps faltered. The closing of the door echoed in my ears, and I found myself immobilized.

For a prolonged moment, I stood rooted to the spot, my gaze fixated on the closed door. I knew I shouldn't turn back. I had already spent the entirety of the day with her. Yet, a sense of trepidation crept over me as I pondered the implications. If a single day with Alison, devoid of barriers or pretenses, but marked by complete acceptance, could evoke such intense emotions within me, what would the next encounter hold? Despite any protestations I might make to myself, I knew another visit was inevitable. I was bound to return, whether I desired it or not.

I sighed, shaking my head, and headed to my car. Alison shouldn't hold this power over me, yet I couldn't alter what was fundamentally wrong with me. This was my reality, and I needed to find a way to accept it. Alison and I were entwined more deeply than any vows, and as I departed her house, the weight on my heart grew heavier. I was headed home to the last person I wanted to see.

Upon my arrival home, I was taken aback by Astrid's absence. Instead of her customary presence, urging us to engage in physical intimacy, I was met with the glow of lights emanating from the dining room. Following the faint sounds, I discovered Astrid seated at the table, quietly enjoying her meal. When she noticed me, she gestured toward a plate in front of her.

"Poisoned?" I quipped, eliciting a chuckle from her as she took a sip of water.

"No poison. Just food."

"Drugged?"

"Not drugged either. Are you not hungry? You've been with your slave all day. I'm sure you didn't have her reciting old poems the entire time. I bet her mouth was filled with something other than words," she chuckled.

Astrid's cheerful demeanor was not something I relished, but I knew it was wiser to entertain her rather than risk an unexpected encounter with her torture table. I approached the table where a plate lay and took a seat, noting the satisfaction in her smile.

"Did you have a pleasant day?" she inquired.

"I'm not sure," I replied.

"How can you not be sure?"

"Because I don't know why you're asking, and therefore, I can't predict your reaction regardless of how I answer."

She chuckled again, evidently amused by my constant vigilance. "I've always admired how your mind operates at full speed. It never seems to slow down, does it?"

"Not around a cunning person like you," I retorted.

"Ah, the scars of a childhood shaped by brutality must have made you quite cautious."

My eyes widened at her statement, but Astrid continued to smile. "Come now. Did you think I wouldn't perform a thorough background check on you?"

"I had hoped my past wouldn't be of such interest," I confessed.

"I prefer to err on the side of caution."

I sighed, taking a piece of bread and sniffing it cautiously before placing it on my plate. I avoided anything that could potentially conceal a pill, but hunger gnawed at me. Spreading some butter on the bread, I turned my attention back to my wife, who still wore a contented smile.

"You seem cheerful," I pointed out.

"I'm in a good mood tonight," she confirmed.

"Pregnant?"

"No," she sighed. "It seems it's not going to happen that fast."

"Or maybe you're lying to me."

"Or maybe we should work harder."

I shook my head. "You get me once every day. Isn't that enough?"

"Obviously not."

"I don't trust you, Astrid," I snarled.

Her smile widened. "I know, and I don't trust you either. Of course, we can't know if something is happening in me right now, but I haven't gotten a positive test yet. Once I do, I will let you know."

"Lucky me," I retorted.

She nodded, maintaining her cheerful demeanor, which puzzled me greatly.

"Why are you so happy?" I inquired.

"Can't I have a good day?" she asked innocently.

"Only when you're scheming."

"Maybe I'm scheming."

"What are you scheming?" I inquired.

"Jared, it wouldn't be scheming if I told you," she teased.

"Is there a snake in my bed?"

"No."

"Is there something disgusting in my bed?" I questioned.

"No," she answered.

"Are you planning to trap me somewhere?"

"No," she replied once more, growing weary of the questions.

"Then why the hell are you smiling?" I snarled.

"I told you, I'm having a good day."

I shook my head, still skeptical, but then Astrid wiped her mouth with the napkin and stood up.

"I'm going to bed early. I'll see you tomorrow."

"No playing tonight?" I asked.

"I'm not sure you can get it up. I'm certain you spent all day having sex with your slave, so I'll wait until tomorrow when you have your energy back."

I shook my head as I watched Astrid walk away. Even in her stride, I sensed the scheming dripping from her, but I didn't voice my suspicions. I simply observed her departure, then turned back to the food in front of me. My appetite was minimal, her presence having a way of killing it, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong. Astrid wouldn't be smiling like that unless she was planning something, and I quickly reached for my phone. I dialed Alison. She didn't pick up on the first ring, so I tried again, and finally, the call connected.

"Hello?"came her groggy voice, and I let out a sigh of relief.

"Next time, pick up the first time I call."

"Jared? Where are you?"

"Home..."

"I see."

"From now on, you answer when I call, and you send me a text every day, letting me know everything is all right," I instructed her.

"Why? Jared, is something wrong? Should I be concerned about something?" she questioned, her tone tinged with worry.

For a fleeting moment, I felt the urge to confess everything to her. I wanted to tell her that she should be worried, primarily because I was planning to murder her father very soon, along with all of his associates. I wanted to inform her that her life was on the brink of upheaval.

However, I suppressed the impulse. Revealing the truth would jeopardize the entire mission. Instead, I made a choice. Alison might not forgive me for what I was about to do. Perhaps this would be the wedge that drove us apart. But it was too late for her to escape from me now.

Once her father was dead, I would ensure that Alison could never escape from me. The same dark determination that had compelled me when I first targeted her and coerced her into signing the contract resurfaced, and Vince's words echoed in my mind about me never wanting to let Alison go again.

He was absolutely correct. I would not let Alison go. Even if I had to extract her from her life, dragging her away kicking and screaming as she labeled me a murderer, then so be it. I was coming for her very soon.

"No, there's nothing for you to be concerned about," I assured her, masking the turmoil within me.

"Are you sure? Is it Astrid?"she pressed, her concern evident.

I smiled inwardly, savoring the fact that Alison, my own tormentor, was checking in with me, asking me how I felt. We were destined to have a lifetime of such interactions. Even if we spent the rest of our days resenting each other, I would ensure that she couldn't help but inquire about my well-being.

"She's being her usual self, but that's not why I called."

"Why did you call, then?"she asked.

I paused for a moment, carefully considering my words. "Alison?"

"Yeah?"

"Am I truly the most important thing in your life?" I inquired.

She emitted a small gasp, taken aback by the sudden change in conversation.

"I-I thought I already admitted that,"she stammered.

"Yes, but would you be willing to leave everything behind for me?" I pressed.

"Are you asking me to?"Her voice trembled with fear.

"What if I were?"

"One day together and you're asking me to abandon everything for you?"Her disbelief was obvious.

I chuckled softly. "God, Alison, you know it's not just about one day between us. We've shared years together."

"Not good years."

"That could change," I reminded her, sensing a glimmer of hope in her gasp.

"I have a job."

"Quit it," I demanded.

"Jared, that's my life's work."

"Quit it."

"What about money? A house? Where would I go?"she queried.

"I will take care of that."

"Like your secret mistress?"she teased, eliciting a smile from me.

"History often shows that kings treated their mistresses better than their wives," I countered.

"So you're a king now?"she chuckled.

"Just answer me."

"I can't answer that. What you're asking me is insane!"

"Is it really? You've said that nothing else holds value except me, except your feelings for me, so why should anything else matter?"

"I... I can't just disappear,"she reasoned.

"But you can. What would you be leaving behind if we took your job out of the equation?"

"Um..."She pondered, but there was nothing of significant value, nothing compelling enough to hold her back.

"Exactly."

She sighed. "Where would I even go?"

"Leave that to me."

"Jared, this is crazy!"

"So? We're not exactly the most normal people," I reminded her, and she fell silent for a moment, contemplating my words.

"Let's say I agree. What's next?"

"You wait for me. Pack only what you want to bring with you, and then you wait for me," I instructed, sensing a shift in her breathing, a hint of excitement. "Do you hear me?"

"I hear you."

Though she didn't give me a direct answer, I could sense her desire to be with me, her yearning to leave her exhausting life behind and simply belong to me.

"Pack a bag," I ordered.

"Maybe,"she cheekily replied.

"Alison, don't make me repeat myself."

"Maybe,"she teased.

"God," I groaned, yet a smile tugged at my lips because only Alison could challenge me in a way I enjoyed.

"Goodnight,"she whispered huskily before hanging up.

I lowered my phone, experiencing a feeling I wasn't sure I had ever felt before. There was no anxiety. There was no resentment. I felt... calm.