Page 165 of The Devil's Heir

"Jarek always had girls hanging all over him, or have you forgotten?" I ask the delusional man in front of me.

Jackson rolls his eyes. "Maybe, but his eyes were always onyou. No guy dared to approach you because Jarek warned every one of us away. There were many guys interested in you, Lily. You were one of the prettiest girls in school."

All of this is news to me. I never saw any of it. Looking out the window, I think back to those days when the torment seemed to never end. I think back to the bracelet Jarek got me for my eighteenth birthday. It was the only present I had received in years.

I remember giving him a hug because of it, but he shoved me away and told me never to touch him without his permission. Now, I understand. It's because of the things Carmen made him do.

Jarek told me he had engraved'Property of Jarek Falcon'on the bracelet to ensure nobody ever touched me. It wasn't so nobody else would pick on me; he wanted me for himself. Had I not been so stuck on himbullyingme, or so I thought, I would have seen the rest of the message for what it was worth.

I stand and move to my dresser. Opening the top drawer, I reach to the back and feel for the box. Once I find it, I pull it out and set it on the dresser. I open the box and pull out the familiar silver bracelet, turning it over to read the inscription inside.'To my pauper on her birthday.'

Tomypauper, not just pauper.

A tear spills from my eye, and I swipe it away. Clearing my throat, I turn and face Jackson, holding the bracelet out to him.

"Can you put this on me, please?"

Jackson takes the piece of jewelry from me and examines it before wrapping it around my wrist and clasping it.

"Jarek told me about this bracelet," Jackson says softly. "Did you know it was the only time he ever gave anything to anyone? He said he took a chance doing it, and it backfired. The guy never gave anyone a gift ever again."

"Really?" The word is barely a whisper when it leaves my lips.

"Yeah. I found it sad, but then you came along, and I understood. You are it for Jarek, Lily. I hope you know that."

"I'm beginning to realize it," I tell him as I stare at the bracelet now adorning my wrist. "Thank you for telling me all this."

"Of course. I figured it was time you knew exactly who you were going to be marrying." Jackson smiles. "I better go make sure Fran isn't lifting those heavy bags of planting soil again."

I chuckle.

"If you don't watch yourself, she'll lift you up, too, just to prove to you that she isn't weak."

"Oh, I don't doubt it," he responds before leaving the room.

I look at my sleeping son and sigh once again.

"I guess your daddy really does love me, huh?" I move towards the mantle on the other side of the room and stare at one of Jarek's few pictures of himself. "I really love your daddy, too."

My phone pings from the nightstand with an incoming message. I reach over and grab it; a grin spreads across my face instantly when I see Jarek's name across the screen.

JAREK: Good morning, pauper. I hope you slept well.

ME: As well as I can without you here.

JAREK: I'll be home as soon as I can. I miss you. Hope you're being a good girl and not giving Jackson any trouble.

ME: I'm always good for others. It's you I like to be bad for…

JAREK: Pauper…

ME: Yes, Sir?

JAREK: Be prepared for when I get home. I love you.

ME: Do I have a choice?

JAREK:No.