9 MONTHS AGO.On the day everyone thought Jackson died, as the bridge of the bay gave way due to Alexander's bomb going off, And Jackson falling into the raging river, the black SUV careened off the road as Ella and the rest were distracting in the battle, crashing through the barrier and plunging into the raging river below. Jackson was inside.As the vehicle sank beneath the churning waters, panic swept through the crowd gathered on the riverbank. But amidst the chaos, a man emerged from the parked SUV, clad in diving gear. Without hesitation, he plunged into the icy depths, determined to rescue Jackson from the jaws of death.The river fought against the rescuer's efforts, its currents pulling and tugging at him as he searched for Jackson amidst the wreckage. Finally, his hand closed around Jackson's limp form, and with a Herculean effort, he dragged him to the surface.But the ordeal was far from over. The relentless current carried them downstream, away from the safety of the
As Jackson's eyes fluttered open once more, he found himself greeted not by the sterile confines of a hospital room, but by the warm embrace of a cozy, albeit unfamiliar, bedroom. His gaze swept over the room, taking in the subtle details—a neatly made bed, a small desk cluttered with papers, and a window overlooking a lush garden bathed in the soft light of dawn.Confusion gnawed at Jackson's mind as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings. How had he come to be here? And more importantly, who were the people who had saved him from the river and brought him to this place?Before he could voice his questions, the door to the room swung open, and the man and woman he had seen earlier rushed inside, their faces etched with concern."Jackson," the man exclaimed, his voice filled with relief as he approached the bed. "You're awake."Jackson's brow furrowed in confusion as he struggled to recall the events that had led him here. "Where am I?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncer
As Jackson settled into his new reality, the confines of the room became his sanctuary—a place of quiet reflection and introspection amidst the chaos of his fractured memories. The days stretched into weeks, each one marked by the slow, steady rhythm of his recovery.In the beginning, Jackson's world was confined to the narrow confines of a wheelchair, his body still fragile from the ordeal he had endured. But with each passing day, he felt the tendrils of strength creeping back into his limbs, a silent testament to the resilience of the human spirit.Elizabeth and Charles watched over him with a mixture of concern and affection, their presence a constant source of comfort and reassurance. They knew that Jackson needed time to heal, both physically and emotionally, before they could disclose the truth of his origins.And so, they waited.Meanwhile, the physiotherapist that Charles and Elizabeth had sent to care for Jackson gently guided him through a series of exercises designed to
The air hung heavy with tension as Jackson's question echoed through the stillness of the evening. Who was the traitor among them? Who had conspired with William Portman to betray their family and seize control of the Portman empire?And then, as if in response to Jackson's inquiry, a voice cut through the silence from behind—a voice tinged with bitterness and regret. "It was the previous leader, the one who put you on the seat, the one they call THE OLD KING."Jackson's head snapped around to face the source of the voice, his eyes widening in shock as a figure emerged from the shadows. The man who stepped forward was tall and imposing, his features obscured by the darkness of the night."Stanley Marc," the man introduced himself, extending a hand toward Jackson. "Nice to finally meet you."Jackson shook the man's hand numbly, his mind reeling with disbelief. Stanley Marc—the man who had been Charles and Elizabeth's trusted confidant for as long as he could remember—was the one who
Jackson awoke from his slumber, his mind still heavy with the weight of his dreams. As he made his way down the creaky stairs to the sitting room, the voices of his companions drifted to him like distant echoes. Elizabeth, with her graceful demeanor, greeted him warmly, urging him to join them at the dinner table. His thoughts were in turmoil as he settled into his seat, the conversation swirling around him like a whirlwind."I've been considering returning to my old life," Jackson admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I need to find Sophia, I need to know if she's alright.""Jackson now is not the time," Charles interjected, his tone grave. "I fear the old king and William are hatching something sinister."The mention of Sophia brought a heavy silence upon the room, broken only by Stanley Marc's sudden revelation. "Word has it that Sophia is pregnant," he announced, his words hanging in the air like a heavy fog.Jackson's heart skipped a beat at the news, his mind racing
The sterile walls of the dojo in the mansion seemed to close in on Jackson as he pushed through another grueling session. His body, once broken and battered, was now strained against the resistance bands. The physical therapy was relentless, but so was his determination.Over the next couple of months, Jackson committed himself to the arduous process of healing. The accident had left him shattered—bones fractured, muscles torn. But he refused to be defeated. With each step, he defied the odds, inching closer to regaining his former strength.The clutches, once his lifeline, were now discarded in a corner. Jackson staggered through the hallways, his legs wobbly but resolute. Days blurred into weeks, and soon he was walking unaided. The treadmill became his battleground, the rhythmic thud of his sneakers echoing his determination.Charles watched from the sidelines. For he had seen battles—both on the field and within the soul. He knew that Jackson's journey was more than physical
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