Chapter 520
Charles sensed his heart sneezing at the question. He immediately lifted his eyes to gaze at the man who stood with Noah in his hand, and Jack passed him a solid nod.
Once again, Charles moved his face to look at the little girl who was looking at him with her curious eyes. “Y-yes. I’m your father...”
“If you are my father then why weren’t you with us for so many years?” Ailey left no stone unturned to burst the questions on Charles’s head. She was determined to know the answers today at any cost to extinguish her queries.
While Charles was still in dilemma, he understood that this was the pre-test that he would need to clear. He realized how tough this exam was, even harder than handling any business.
“I wasn’t with you and your brother because... I wasn’t in a good condition. I need to improve my health so that I can come to you, your brother, and... to your mum.”
Meanwhile, Charles’s appearance caused turmoil in Sierra’s heart. She was least expecting to find Charles on such an important day. ‘Who actually called him here?’ At this thought, her mind directed her suspicion at Jack who stood there with utmost calm.
.....
Just from one look from Jack and she understood all his attempts. At the realization, her eyes widened as saucers. She was thunderstruck with shock as she couldn’t move her legs from the spot.
But then she was pulled back from the daze when Noah touched her legs from down. She rotated her sentimental eyes to watch her son, who was still confused.
“Dad already told me about this man. But is it true mother?” He needs some clarification on this topic.
While Sierra has to gather a lot of courage, she cupped his face with her hands to pass a nod.
“It is true.. this man is our father...” Noah too shifted his eyes to look at the man, in a similar manner as his sister.
The siblings were still weren’t welcoming as expected. Their hostility was flashing very evidently in their eyes. Despite how much he tried to not notice the same, he can’t help but feel his heart spinning in thousands of directions.
There were emotions flooding his mind as he had no idea how to interact with the two little buddies in front of him. He was clueless at this moment of interaction.
But the one who understood his position was Jack. He stepped into his dilemma to bring everyone out from their intense gaze and said, “I think Mr. Johnson will take time to adjust with kids and so will kids. It is fine...As long as you know how to act, you will be fine.”
“Ailey and Noah, do you know that you can never disrespect your dad ever in your life?” Jack’s eyes were covered with the mist when he said these words aloud.
His heart was torn into a thousand shattering pieces. The impact wasn’t visible in his actions and expressions, but his emotions always fluctuated at this point on recalling the past time he has spent with these two kids.
Ailey and Noah immediately turned around to see their father sitting on his knees. Both of them ran in his direction to hug him via his neck as they mumbled,”We don’t want you to go..”
“I wish I could hold it. But understand that I need to go. I will come back if I have time. But you must not pester your father to meet me. Go with your mother and live with him..” Jack had taken the entire night to make them understand the position.
He told them he wasn’t linked to them at all. All he did was play a part in being their father. As a result of this, his words did bring a grim expression to his children’s faces.
But that was necessary for Jack’s eyes.
That way, he needs to make them distance from him so that they can get accustomed to their new family members, especially their new father.
Noah ended up nodding first as he ran to his mother and hugged her legs. Sierra stood there still, making it harder to accept the following aspect of her life.
She was divorced and her lover was standing in front of her eyes. Moreover, Charles already knew about Noah being his son...can things become worse for her?
However, unlike what she expected out of him, he didn’t react in such a sarcastic way.
He kept calm around her and didn’t make a fuss about Noah clinging to Jack either. ‘Has he changed?’ she didn’t think so. His possessiveness can reach heights.
But at the same time, Jack was staring at his daughter’s face. She wasn’t willing to part with him at any cost.
Ailey’s face washed with disappointment, and sadness that dwelled in her heart. Her eyes turned red because of crying with her nose resembling a tomato.
“Ailey...my daughter..” Jack held her hands firmly without tearing his eyes from her, “You are my first born..and the one who I have loved all these years the most. You don’t know how proud I’m to be called your father all these years...”
“But you will still be my father!” Ailey protested while making a pout while crying.
Yet, Jack knew that the thorn in his heart can’t be subsidized. Similar to how Ailey didn’t look strong, Ailey was his weak point. The only child he had with his late wife...the only piece of their love. It broke his heart and the pain was totally numb to him. All the emotions were flowing unanimously in one single go where he had no further position to stop himself...
‘For you to have a better life, I will need to break your tiny heart, my dear daughter. I can’t be your first hero...it has to be Charles. At least by ensuring your safety, your mother and I can be at peace in heaven...’ with this thought that rose in Jack’s heart, he sneered back his tears to not appear weak.
“I was your father, Ailey. From now onwards, it will be Charles. He is your father...not me. Love him as you do to me. He will love and protect you like me. You have your mother and Noah..live your life, Ailey...I love you...”
With this said, Jack stood up from his ground. He caressed Ailey’s little hands before walking to Charles to hand over her hand to him gracefully.
Jack didn’t intend to break eye contact between the two giant men as his entire life was now dependent on the words that Charles would give. “I hope you will keep your promise, Charles.”
“Keep her safe from all the harms as I have done so far. From today onwards, she is Miss Ailey Johnsons...” Jack’s thick gaze demanded an affirmative answer from Charles’s end. He knew that he was expecting a lot from that man but it was at the risk of his daughter’s life.
She’ll have no one in this world once he will be gone after his enemy will kill him. To put an end to the underworld’s activity, he will need to sacrifice his life. But that was only when he knew his daughter will never be indulged in this so that he can remain at utmost peace.
Charles didn’t dare to attempt to tear his gaze from the man either. He took Ailey’s hand into his with firmness. His touch was soft which made Ailey slightly alarmed but she still didn’t say much. What flowed next was the warmness from Charles which made her eyes turn dry...
“Don’t worry....you have returned my two children now. It’s my responsibility and no one will dare to mess with Ailey Johnson ever in their life. Be at peace, Jack..”