Ben Chamberlain's Inheritance

Chapter Six

"What kind of question is that James"? Rose asked with a stunned look.

"Don't toy with me Rose; who is the father of Casey?"

"Its Gerard of course; Whose else, would it be?" Rose said, avoiding his gaze.

"Then take a look at this." James gave her a piece of paper.

"What is this?" She asked; taking it from him reluctantly. She scanned it hastily and her expression changed suddenly like the weather. 

"How did you get this?" She said with fear written all over her face.

"It doesn't matter how I got it. Just tell me the truth."

Rose was dumbstruck. She felt the world spinning round and everything was upside down.

"James how did you get this?"  She asked again.

"Rose stop wasting my time and tell me what I 

need to know." James yelled.

"I do not know what to say." Rose said.

"Rose, listen to me," He said cupping her face in his hands. "Just speak to me; tell me the truth, please."

She looked up at James and she was a bit relaxed.

"Casey, is your daughter." She said as she sank on the bed

"Why did you keep it away from me?" He asked.

"What would you have done if I had told you?"

James was speechless. He had no answer to the question.

"Would you have confronted Gerard and lay claim to her?" 

"Regardless of what I would have done, you should have told me Rose."

"And would you have held yourself back if I had told you?"

"I don't know what I would have done but I wouldn't have kept quiet." He said

"But you will have to keep quiet James. No one can know about this." She pleaded.

"Casey has to know that I am her father". James said

"James know you can't go anywhere near her with this, Please James." She was on her knees

"I don't know Rose, I don't know if I can hold back."

"For the sake of my daughter and the love that we share please, you have to keep this a secret for the time being, please James."  Rose pleaded excruciatingly.

"God! So it's true what Shelly was.....", Rose cut in, 

"Do you know Shelly?" Surprise on Rose's face.

"You said what!" James exclaimed.

"You mentioned Shelly; do you know her." Rose asked James and she was watching his reaction.

"No! I don't know any Shelly."  he answered.

Rose was not convinced but she didn't ask again.

"James how did you know about Casey not being Gerard's daughter?" Rose asked.

"It doesn't matter how I knew but what matters right now is that I know the truth and as the bible says, 

"the truth will set you free". James said 

"James, how did you get to carry out the DNA test?" Rose asked.

James looked at Rose and he didn't reply.

Rose had gained a bit of composure now. She was thinking hard on how to handle the situation.

"So what are you going to do now?" She asked James

He moved towards Rose and asked her,"what do you think I should do?"

"I can't answer that question for you James."

"Does Gerard know that Casey is not his daughter?"

"He knows Casey is his daughter and it will stay that way at least for now."Rose said.

"Look Rose, I know you don't love him the way you love me. You can divorce him and we can live as one happy family." James said holding her shoulder.

She moved away from him. "James you are right; I don't love Gerard but if I choose to divorce him I will lose everything. What future will Casey have, if he finds out about her true parternity"?

"So its all about the money and not about the love we both share?" James said sullenly.

"Its not about that James but I want you to be smart and patient."

"I know things are not yet rosy for me as yet but I promise, I can take care of you both?" He said confidently.

"I know you can but we have to be careful and smart about this."

She went to him and kissed him. "Hmm...its okay Rose, I will be patient as much as possible but the truth is, I can't wait for Casey to know me as her father."

.............................................................................

"How did James know that Casey was his daughter. Who told him about it?", Rose was pondering after James left.

"Hmmmm. I don't want to believe she could do such a thing; I doubt it because what reason could she have for stabbing me on my behind?" Rose pondered.

"But I am sure I heard right; he mentioned Shelly. Does he know Shelly? If they actually know each other, then, it must have been Shelly who revealed the secret to him."

She continued to ponder on it, "she is the only one that knows about Casey's biological father. Did Shelly my best friend betray me? I have to find out."

She picked up the phone and called Shelly. After the second ring, Shelly picked, "Hi Rose", She answered excitedly.

"Hi Shelly! We need to talk."

................................................................................

"You are late as usual." Shelly said jokingly to Rose as 

she took her seat opposite her friend.

"I apologise; Casey made me come late."

"Oh! I see. I guess she wanted to spend time with you." Shelly said.

"I guess so." She answered dully.

"What is wrong Rose? Your call sounded urgent. What is wrong? Talk to me." Shelly urge her friend. Rose gave a long and deep sigh.

"Rose talk to me, you seem to have something on your mind."

"Is it that obvious?" Rose asked.

"Yea it is. Talk to me Rose. You know you can tell me anything."

Shelly said touching her hand. Rose looked at her friend and thought to herself, "so you can use it against me." 

""Someone is trying to threathen the peace of my family." Rose said.

"And who might that person be?"

"Do you know anyone by the name James?" Rose asked. Shelly flinched and Rose noticed it.

Shelly immediately composed herself.

"There are many people that go by that name. You have to be more specific Rose." She said.

"James O'Brien; that is his name." Rose said.

"I know, no one that goes by that name, Rose." Shelly replied and avoided Rose's gaze.

"Who is he if I may ask?"

"Yesterday he came to the house with the claim that Casey is his daughter and not Gerard." Rose said and watched Shelly's reaction closely.

Shelly buried her face in her drink and said nothing.

"The thing is how did he know about it because the only person I told that secret to, was you Shell."

Shelly put down her drink and she was taken aback by what Rose said, although she knew it was true what Rose was saying.

"Are you now accusing me of betraying you?"

"You tell me, Shell." Rose replied

"Well I told no one about your secret, Rose."

"How long have we been friends Shell?" Rose asked

"Since fifth grade." Shelly replied

"So look me in the eye and tell me, you didnt tell anyone."

"I........,"Shelly was about to talk when her phone rang. For a brief moment, Rose saw who the caller was.

"Excuse me; I have to answer this call."

Some few seconds later, Shelly was done with the call.

"Who was that," Rose asked.

"Its a client of mine who I have a meeting with in five minutes."

Rose said nothing. She just watched as her friend 

prepared herself to leave.

"Let's continue this tomorrow Rose."

"Alright then, we will continue this tomorrow," Rose said

"Bye love." Shelly said and they exchanged kisses. Rose watched as Shelly walked away from the bar.

As soon as she was out, Rose made a call, "Jackson! She is on her way; you know what to do. Call me when it's done."

She dropped a call and a wicked smile played on her face.