CHAPTER 4
1113 Words
**James's Future Plans**
James was more still than I had ever seen him.
His knuckles were white from holding the phone too firmly as he sat on the edge of the bed. He tightened his jaw. He gazed at the floor in blankness.
"She uttered... Jordan whispered, "Jordan took the boy."
My own heart pounded hard as I sat next to him. I was at a loss for what to believe.
"She might be lying," I muttered. "Victoria manipulates people's minds." You yourself said that.
James gave a slow nod. However, what if she isn't? Could Jordan be real? What if she gave the boy to him and he's out there?
I put my hand on his arm. "We require evidence."
His eyes were filled with pain as he gazed at me. "I'm not sure if I'm scared of proof or if I want it."
There was silence between us.
James rose and made his way to the window. Far away, the city lights blinked. He remarked, "I've always had a plan for my life." " A business, a secure residence. A woman who genuinely cares for me. Eventually, kids, but not like this.
Silently, I listened.
He pivoted once more. But now? Everything has gotten out of hand. I'm not sure if I own that boy. I may have an unidentified twin brother. Victoria is still not finished. I sense it.
I took a deep breath. "Now, what are you going to do?"
With an odd blaze in his eyes, James took a step closer. "I will discover the truth. Everything. I'll have a DNA test done. I am going to employ a private investigator. I'll locate Jordan. I'll retrieve that boy.
With optimism brewing deep within me, I nodded.
"How about us?" Fearful of the response, I asked.
After he paused, he grabbed my hand. " Lily, you are the only thing that feels real at the moment. A future with you is what I desire. I have to fix what's broken before I can build that life.
---
James took the initiative the following morning.
He contacted Dennis King, a private investigator. A deep-voiced, quiet man with keen eyes. By lunchtime, he had reached our penthouse.
Opening a little notebook, Dennis said, "Tell me everything."
James clarified everything, including Victoria's assertion that Jordan abducted the child, the web photo, and her appearance with the boy.
Dennis sat silently and listened. James nodded when he had done.
"I've dealt with more bizarre situations," he remarked. However, this? It's messy.
He got up. "I'll investigate Victoria first. She calls documents from her bank. where she has been. I'll track down Jordan if she meets with him.
James gave a nod. "What about the boy?"
Dennis's head c****d. "I'll follow them both if he's with her or this Jordan."
His remarks hung in the air for a few minutes before he left.
---
James eventually completed the DNA test that afternoon.
Although Victoria didn't pick up her phone, she did leave a small pair of socks that the boy had worn. James took them to the laboratory. Although it wasn't flawless, it might be sufficient.
It will take a few days, according to the lab technician.
The hardest thing was waiting.
That night, James stayed up late writing in his notepad. I looked at it and noticed sketches of a house. A kid's room. A swing in the backyard.
"Are you already making plans?" I inquired.
He raised his head. " If I owned the boy... He should have a proper house, in my opinion. A future. Not a secret one.
"What if he isn't?"
James paused. "I still wish for his safety."
I gave a quiet smile. You'd make a wonderful father.
He gave me a glance. "Only if you're at my side."
I felt my heart flip.
---
Dennis called the following day.
He called and said, "I discovered something." Three days earlier, Victoria sent money to a private driver. Jordan arrived to pick up the child on the day she said he did.
James bent in the direction of the speaker. "What about the driver?"
" Rocco Fields" is the name. I followed his phone number. He left her... by himself. Not a man. Not a kid.
My eyes got big. "Did she lie?"
Dennis cleared his throat. " There's more. She got into another car after the drop-off. A rental. Can you guess who rented it?
James lowered his voice. "Who?"
Dennis hesitated.
"You."
James turned white. "What?"
"Your name was on the driver's license she used to hire the vehicle. Carter, James. However, it wasn't you in the picture.
My jaw dropped.
I mumbled, "She used Jordan's ID."
Dennis attested to it. "James, whatever he is, is impersonating you. Legally, perhaps. Perhaps not. However, this extends further than we initially believed.
James hung up and turned to me.
"I've got a twin," he muttered. "And he is posing as me."
---
We went directly to James's mother's place via car.
She resided in a peaceful rural home with a rose garden and old brick walls. She appeared taken aback by our presence.
Before she could even welcome us, James blurted, "I need answers." "Everything. No more secrets.
She ushered us in. Tea was made with trembling hands. Then they took a seat opposite us.
"Jordan came in second," she muttered. We heard that he wouldn't make it. Without informing me, your father took him away. I was unable to even hold him. Then he vanished.
James's fists clinched. "What kept you from telling me?"
"Because I was embarrassed," she muttered. And afraid. I didn't want you to wonder as a child why your father abandoned you.
Her eyes filled with tears. "I didn't believe Jordan made it out alive."
“Well, he did,” James remarked grimly.
---
I had trouble sleeping after that night.
I thought of the boy while I gazed at the ceiling. Thinking about Jordan.
He was what kind of man?
For what reason was he posing as James?
What did Victoria have to conceal?
I rose and crept downstairs to fetch myself some water.
I noticed James walking through the living room. He was speaking on the phone.
I had his back. His voice was low as he spoke.
"At this time, nobody can know," he stated. Not even Lily. To fix this, I need time.
My chest constricted.
To whom was he speaking?
What was it he didn't want me to know?
James tells Lily she can't know anything, yet after she overhears him on a private call. What is he concealing from her, though? And to whom is he actually speaking?
- Writer
