For years, Jackson had known himself only by the name given to him by the orphanage where he had been raised, but now, he had the opportunity to reclaim the identity that had been stolen from him so long ago. As he heard the name spoken aloud, Jackson felt a wave of emotion wash over him, a sense of belonging and identity that he had longed for his entire life. In that moment, he realized that he was not just Jackson, but Jillian James Portman, a son, a piece of a family that had been torn apart but was now slowly being pieced back together.With each passing day, Jackson's bond with Elizabeth and Charles deepened, strengthened by their shared experiences and shared determination to face whatever challenges lay ahead. They laughed together and shared their hopes and fears for the future. Through it all, they found solace in each other's company, knowing that they were not alone in their struggles. But as the days turned into weeks, the specter of war with William loomed ever large
Jackson's heart swelled with relief and joy as Stanley delivered the news about Benedict's recovery. After months of uncertainty and fear, Sophia finally had someone from her family by her side, someone she could confide in and lean on for support. And while Jackson was overjoyed for her, a pang of longing tugged at his heart as he realized just how much he missed her.As he trailed Sophia's car through the winding streets, Jackson couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration at being unable to be there for her in person. He longed to reach out to her, to hold her close and reassure her that everything would be alright. But he knew that now wasn't the time, that Sophia needed space to process her emotions and come to terms with the news of Benedict's recovery.With a heavy heart, Jackson watched as Sophia's car made a swift turn to the right, away from the secret clinic where Benedict had been receiving treatment. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself as he realized that Sophi
The round table stood as a silent witness—a relic of countless conversations, both mundane and momentous. Elizabeth, Charles, and Jackson huddled around it, their voices hushed. Stanley Marc's voice crackled through the speakerphone, connecting them to the outside world."Where are you now?" Elizabeth's words hung in the air, a fragile thread connecting them to Stanley's mission."I am at her house," Stanley replied. "Ella and William are already inside. I'll wait for them to come out.Elizabeth exchanged a worried glance with Charles. "Be careful, and try not to do anything stupid," Elizabeth said. Her voice held a mother's concern.Stanley stood afar, a sentinel in the shadows. He watched as William retreated to the car, his face inscrutable.Ella emerged from the building—agitated, her eyes stormy. A fight just occurred between them.Ella climbed into the car, her anger palpable. William's stoicism remained strict. The engine roared to life, and they drove away—a fractured famil
As the day dawned two days before the conclave, the atmosphere in the mansion was charged with anticipation and tension. Elizabeth, Charles, and Stanley gathered in the grand foyer, their minds buzzing with thoughts of the impending meeting with Abigail. The stakes were high, and they knew that they needed to tread carefully if they were to uncover the truth about her.Elizabeth's heart fluttered nervously in her chest as she prepared to finally meet her niece. For years, she had wondered about the daughter her brother had lost, and now, with the conclave looming on the horizon, the opportunity to reunite with Abigail filled her with a mixture of hope and trepidation.Meanwhile, Jackson remained behind in the training room, his mind focused solely on honing his skills for the battles that lay ahead. With the conclave fast approaching, there was no time to waste, and Jackson knew that he needed to be at the top of his game if he hoped to emerge victorious.As Elizabeth, Charles, an
As Elizabeth, Charles, and Stanley entered Abigail's living room, the atmosphere was tense with anticipation. Abigail's eyes widened in surprise as she took in the sight of her unexpected visitors, her mind racing with questions and uncertainty."I am your aunt, Abigail," Elizabeth said softly, her voice filled with emotion. Tears welled up in Abigail's eyes as she locked eyes with Elizabeth, her heart pounding with a mixture of disbelief and hope."Come with us," Elizabeth continued, her voice gentle yet firm. "We want to show you where you came from and introduce you to the rest of your family."Abigail's breath caught in her throat at Elizabeth's words, her mind reeling with the possibility of finally uncovering the truth about her past. But even as hope flickered in her chest, she couldn't shake the nagging sense of hesitation that gnawed at her.Stanley could see the uncertainty written on Abigail's face, her reluctance to follow a group of strangers to a place she didn't know.
As Abigail stood in the living room, her head swirling with questions, she couldn't help but feel a sense of disbelief at the revelations that had been laid bare before her. Jackson's presence only added to the confusion, his survival defying all logic and reason."Wait, you're the cousin they were talking about?" Abigail asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. "How are you alive?"Jackson met her gaze, his expression solemn as he removed his glove, revealing the scarred flesh beneath. "I barely made it," he said quietly. "But yes, I did survive."Abigail's mind reeled with shock at Jackson's words, her heart pounding with disbelief at the revelation.She had thought him dead, lost to the world forever, and yet here he stood before her, a living, breathing testament to the resilience of the human spirit."Does Sophia know you're alive?" Abigail asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty.Jackson shook his head, his expression pained. "No, she doesn't," he replied softly. "I couldn'
In the dimly lit room, Jackson's voice cut through the silence like a knife. "Do you have the name of the person William is in contact with in Blade in Shadows?" His tone was sharp, betraying a sense of urgency mingled with frustration.Abigail, standing near the window, turned to face Jackson. Her eyes flickered with uncertainty before she responded, "Uhmm yeah, his name is JD Thomas, I think.""You think or you know?" Jackson's approach was more than just physical; it was a mental confrontation, demanding clarity and certainty."I know," Abigail asserted, her voice steadier now. "I have even met him once. He came to meet with William, Ella, and me at the mansion once."Jackson's expression darkened. "That prick. So, he's the one on the inside for him. And I bet he knows where the old king is hiding." His words dripped with contempt and frustration, directed not only at JD Thomas but at the intricate web of betrayal and secrecy that seemed to envelop them all.Turning to his father
The morning sun bathed the garden in a warm golden glow, casting long shadows across the lush greenery. Abigail emerged from the house, her heart light and her spirit lifted by the newfound sense of peace that had settled over her. She had slept soundly for the first time in what felt like an eternity, the weight of her past finally lifted from her shoulders.As she descended the stairs, Abigail spotted Jackson sitting on the porch, lost in thought as he rocked back and forth in the old wooden rocking chair. His profile was etched against the backdrop of the rising sun, his features softened by the morning light."Hey," Abigail called out, her voice breaking the silence of the early morning. Jackson turned to look at her, his eyes meeting hers with a mixture of surprise and warmth."Hey," he replied, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "How was your first night here?"Abigail returned his smile, feeling a sense of camaraderie growing between them. "It was good," she s