Not Without You

20 bags of clothes, 15 colognes, six bran

f bags and Richard. "I can't believe you

tting Jack in his heart. Did he have a new family now? Why are they so kind to him? Just Yesterday he w

s, don't act like you don't like it, I

maybe... just a little, no I tr

ed at the door. "Alright, next stop: time to clean yo

e mirror. His jaw dropped. "I... I look like a di

t the doorway, her arm

ok different, you a

at to say. "Thanks, Victoria.

Don't thank me just yet. But I'll say this

e turned b

it,

"Oh, relax, Jack. It'

g the subject. "So... what's nex

ard stopped in front of a sleek black Range Rover

rt skipped a beat.

his voice shaking. "Is

rupted him, tossing hi

n object. "Mine? But, how? I don't even know ho

x, Jack. For now, you'll have a driver. And while you're

s in my life." Richard's voice softened into something warmer. "Then don't say anything, Jack. Just enjoy i

s for me? You know I could never be able

intrigued. "Okay, Richard,

winked at Victoria. "Let's just say... a cert

eyes widened. "Grandma Grace? But

on her way from the airport. So, let's hea

dly contain his excitement. He stepped inside the lu

called out, hi

lighting up. "I would recognize th

ghtly, lifting her off the ground

d me? It's only been two months, Jack!" She pa

back from her to give her a full look over, G

g warmly. "Aunt Grace, it's

ctoria. "Victoria! My dear! Look at

that you are even here," Victoria

r, don't even get me started on that airplane! The last time I flew was twent

he scene, his chest swelling with ha

ide his grandmother, practically bouncing in

andma, and Richard got me this new

g as Jack spoke. "Oh, my boy... yo

ck with emotion. "Thank you, Little

for me in the past. Also Jack's part of the family now."Victoria and Jack di

en, and laughter echoed through the house

and they all settl

r voice thoughtful. "Little Richie... how is the young ma

d, as he smiled. "You

s. "Of course if that's his name. H

ply. "He's doing well. Still searching for his

ing we can never fully understand. I hope

unt Grace... can you tell us about Jack's

ands folded in her lap. Finally, she

, trying to figure out what to do with my life after being thrown out of my marital home." She paused, her voic

d softly, but

ind a small apartment to rent afterward. But... it did

is breath faltering. "

as in a life-threatening situation. As a nurse then, my instinct was to s

broke. "And

She passed away, but not before telling me your name

e. Jack reached out, grip

ou! For everything. I know you have gone

d. "It wasn't easy, my boy. But if I had the ch

would be so

glance with Victoria

amily now," Ric

full. For the first tim

ence covered the room. Everyone sat

the silence. He leaned forwa

ered, almost afraid to interrupt

g a deep breath. Her voice

pregnant with you. But her mother and sister... they refused. They thought the man

enching into fists. "So...

her life every single day. She was constantly looking over her s

re confused and anger surging "Did she..

ng she could do, despite trying to save him. Planning to run away and give birth s

would protect her..." Grace pau

ack," she whispered, he

stunned. "He...

er voice breaking. "But something stopped him. He couldn't do it. Instead, he warned h

to live a pitiful and poor life with his grandmother, but she was never a

ed. "He pushed her

ank. "And that

m," Grace finished, her

ll as everyone ab

ng. "Her name," she said, her voice

d up, his face pale with shock. Without

e you going?" Vict

darted toward the windows. In a swift, deliberate motion, he pulled them shut and then presse

d nervously, his gaze shifti

pulled out his phone, typing quic

here. Fast," th

nce as Richard put the phone down. When h

ous, "Are you certain about what you're saying? Do y

ce. "Richard," she said softly, "I've waited eighteen long

ped into the room, his expression sharp and alert. He moved silently to stand beside

d for Grace to continue. "Aunty,"

rieved a neatly wrapped handbag. It was old but well-preser

Jack Mason. She presumed... your father disappeared or was assassinated befor

the bag. His voice was barely a

r mother wanted you to have this on your eighteenth bi

all, worn envelope and a few family photos. He stared at the first photo-a young woman, her striking r

cked. "Is... is

gh tears. "Yes, Jack. That'

to. "Jack," she said, her voice filled with awe, "this means

dded bitterly, "And that idiot Fra

k isn't just a Mason. He's the heir to one of the most powerful families in the world. Rita Mason was the hei

for finding Rita or her child... it's sti

s mind racing.

k. Do you understand what this means? You're n

t to take in, I know. But, my boy, your mother wanted you

e photograph, his hear

ody. An orphan, a hood rat,

ything ha