Chapter11
1389 Words
NATALIE’S POV
I was halfway through reviewing a contract when my phone vibrated.
At first, I ignored it. The entire morning had been busy, and I was still trying to prove to myself that I deserved to be here. Between organizing Lucas’s schedule, responding to emails, and preparing documents for a conference call later in the afternoon, I barely had enough time to think about anything else.
The phone vibrated again.
I glanced at the screen and immediately felt my stomach tighten.
Unknown Number.
Ever since Jason reappeared, those two words had become enough to ruin my day.
Slowly, I picked up the phone and unlocked it.
For several seconds, I couldn’t understand what I was looking at.
Then my blood ran cold.
It was me and Ava.
The picture had clearly been taken outside Carla’s apartment building the previous morning. I recognized me and Ava’s outfits immediately. I even remembered what she had been complaining about when we were walking toward the entrance.
Someone had taken that photo without us noticing.
My hands started shaking as a thousand thoughts crashed into my head all at once. If he’d followed us there, then how long had he been watching? Did he know who Carla was? Did he plan on hurting both of them? Did he know where we lived?
I stood up so quickly my chair rolled backward.
I grabbed my phone and headed for the elevator.
I tried not to run over to Mia’s desk even though I wanted to.
Mia looked up from her desk immediately.
“Natalie?”
I shoved the phone toward her.
Her smile disappeared.
“What’s this?” she took the phone from my hand.
“That’s Carla’s building.”
Mia stared at the picture. “Jason sent this? When?”
“Just now.”
She scrolled through the screen, “And he didn’t say anything else?”
I shook my head.
“No.”
The silence was what made it worse.
“What if he’s been following us?” I whispered.
Mia immediately reached for my hand. “Don’t do that.”
“What if he knows her daycare?”
“He doesn’t.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Natalie.”
“What if Carla gets dragged into this? What if—”
My phone started ringing.
Jason.
Mia handed the phone back to me. “Answer it.”
I swallowed hard before accepting the call.
“Hello?”
Jason laughed softly.
“I see you got the picture.”
My stomach twisted. “What do you want?”
“Money.”
I looked around the lobby before stepping farther away from Mia.
“I already sent you money.”
“Not enough.”
My grip tightened around the phone. “You said three thousand. I’ll —”
“I changed my mind,” he cut in.
I froze.
“What?”
“I need five.”
I genuinely thought I’d misheard him.
“Five thousand dollars?”
“Yes.”
“Are you insane?” I tried not to scream.
He didn’t say anything.
“Jason, I don’t have five thousand dollars.”
“You work for Lucas King now.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“It means you’ll figure it out.”
I pressed a hand against my forehead. “I already gave you half.”
“Then get the rest.”
“I can’t!”
Mia put a hand on my shoulder to calm me down.
“You can.”
“Jason, please.”
The word slipped out before I could stop it. I sounded desperate and I hated it….but it didn’t look like I had another choice.
“I need more time.”
“You don’t have more time.”
“I barely had enough to get the first amount.”
“That’s not my problem.”
Anger flared through me.
“What happened to you?”
His silence lasted a second too long. Then he sighed.
“I’m trying to make this easier for you, Natalie.”
“By threatening my daughter?”
“You don’t understand.”
“Then explain it!”
He ignored the question.
“We’ll talk when you get home.”
“Jason—”
“And if you decide to ignore me again, it’ll only make things harder.”
The line went dead.
I stood there staring at the screen.
For a moment, I couldn’t breathe.
Mia came in front of me. “What happened?”
“He wants five thousand.”
Her eyes widened.
“What?”
I laughed bitterly.
“I’m calling Carla to make sure they’re okay.”
The tension in my chest loosened slightly.
“Thank you.”
“Go upstairs. I’ll call you as soon as I talk to her.”
I nodded.
By the time I returned to my office, I was almost ready to start sobbing.
I really tried to focus on work. But every few minutes my eyes drifted back to my phone. I was already imagining the worst.
A knock sounded against my office door.
I quickly straightened.
“Come in.”
Lucas stepped inside holding a folder.
He looked like he was about to say something.
Then his eyes landed on me.
His expression changed immediately.
“Is everything okay?”
I forced a smile. “I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”
“I didn’t sleep much.”
“And you’re sure everything’s alright?”
“Yes.”
“Natalie.”
My stomach tightened.
There was something about the way he said my name that made lying feel impossible.
I almost broke down.
“I’m okay.”
He didn’t even look convinced.
He stepped closer and his gaze softened slightly.
“Is Ava okay?”
“She’s fine.”
Lucas studied my face. It felt like he was trying to decide whether to push further.
Eventually he sighed.
“What did you need?”
Lucas looked down at the folder in his hand, then back at me.
For a moment, he hesitated.Then he shook his head.
“Never mind.”
I frowned. “What?”
“I’ll handle it myself.”
Before turning toward the door, he paused.
“You should eat something.”
I blinked.
“What?”
“You look like you haven’t eaten.”
I almost smiled.
Of all the things he could’ve said.
“I’m fine.”
“I know.”
His mouth twitched slightly. “But eat anyway.”
Then he walked out.
I stared at the closed door for several seconds afterward, trying not to think about why that conversation affected me so much.
The rest of the workday passed in a blur. Nothing at all stayed in my head.
Finally, a message from Mia appeared.
Carla and Ava are fine. Stop panicking.
I let out a shaky breath.
It wasn’t enough to erase my fear but it helped.
The second work ended, I practically ran out of the building.
I wanted my daughter. Nothing else mattered.
By the time I reached Carla’s apartment, I was exhausted.
The front door opened before I could knock.
“Mommy!”
Ava launched herself into my arms.
I hugged her tightly, breathing in the familiar scent of her shampoo.
She immediately started telling me about her day.
I listened to every word. Because hearing her voice reminded me why I was fighting so hard.
Carla smiled from the doorway.
“Thank you.” I said.
“Natalie.”
I looked up.
“Whatever is going on, you’re allowed to ask for help.”
My eyes stung unexpectedly.
“Thank you.”
I picked Ava up and headed home.
For the first time all day, I thought maybe things would be okay.
Then my phone started ringing.
Jason.
Slowly, I answered.
“What now?”
For the first time all day, Jason sounded tired.
“Have you thought about it?”
“I don’t have five thousand dollars.”
“You need to find it.”
“Why?”
Silence.
Then a heavy exhale.
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“Then make me understand.”
“You have no idea what happens if I don’t get it.”
The words stopped me cold.
Because for the first time since he’d called me, Jason didn’t sound threatening.
He sounded afraid.
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