Not An Heir

CHAPTER THREE

As Jackson entered the house, he noticed his father’s mistress sitting in the living room, chatting away on the phone. His heart sank as he remembered the day his mother died. It was a dark and stormy night, and Jackson had returned home to find his mother lying lifeless on the floor.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he thought about the woman who had given him life and nurtured him with love. He walked into his father’s room, where his dad was sitting on the bed, trying to organize some files on his laptop.

“How could you do this to mom?” Jackson demanded, his voice trembling with anger. His dad looked up at him, surprise etched on his face.

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb with me, Dad. You were seeing her even before Mom died. And now you bring her home like she’s some kind of replacement for Mom?”

The mistress walked into the room, sensing the tension. “I’m sorry to intrude, but I think I should leave now,” she said, her voice shaking.

“No, you stay,” Jackson’s dad said, his eyes flashing with anger. “I’m tired of your constant accusations, Jackson. Your mother is gone, and I need to move on. You should, too.”

“How can you just move on like that? Mom loved you, and this is how you repay her." Jackson’s voice rose in anger as he struggled to control his emotions. His dad looked away, unable to meet his son’s gaze.

“I know I messed up, but I can’t change the past. All I can do is try to make things right now.” Jackson sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. “I don’t know if I can forgive you, Dad. But I do know that Mom wouldn’t want us to be fighting like this.” With that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving his dad and the mistress to ponder the gravity of their actions. As he left the house, he texted his best friend, David.

“Drinks at DeJonn’s in 30 minutes, please.”

***

It happened when Jackson was 13. His dad was away on a business trip to London. It was David’s 13th birthday. There was a party going on at David’s. Jackson’s caregivers got him dressed up for the party, ensuring he looked like a billionaire’s son. They started with a classic black tuxedo that was tailored to perfection, highlighting his broad shoulders and lean frame.

The jacket was adorned with satin lapels that shimmered softly in the light, adding a touch of luxury. Underneath the tuxedo jacket, they dressed Jackson in a crisp white dress shirt that was tucked into a pair of perfectly tailored black trousers. For a pop of color, his caregivers added a sleek black bow tie with silver detailing that perfectly complemented his tuxedo jacket. To complete the look, they chose a pair of shiny black dress shoes that were polished to a high shine, and they added a black pocket square to his jacket.

As Jackson walked into the party, heads turned, and all eyes were on him. He looked every bit the part of a billionaire’s son, dripping with sophistication and class. Even David, who was known for his impeccable taste in fashion, couldn’t help but be impressed with Jackson’s outfit.

After the party, his security and caregivers took him home. Upon opening the front door, they discovered his mother’s body in the living room. The autopsy revealed that she had been poisoned with paraquat dichloride. His mother’s murder was solved long ago, but Jackson had to live with the trauma.

***

As Jackson sat at the bar at DeJonn’s, he checked his phone obsessively, waiting for a response from David. He had sent the text inviting him to drinks forty-five minutes ago and was starting to feel anxious. He ordered a drink and took a sip, trying to calm his nerves while glancing around the bar every few seconds.

The sound of glasses clinking and people laughing filled the air, but Jackson couldn’t seem to relax. As the minutes ticked by, Jackson began to feel frustrated. He checked his phone again, but there was still no response from David. He took a deep breath and tried to keep his cool, but the longer he waited, the more he started to wonder if David had seen his text or if there was something else going on. He called him a few times but got no answer.

With nowhere else to go, he sank into his chair, dejected and looking deprived of everything that made sense.

Daphne walked into the bar and walked towards Jackson. She spotted him at the grocery store opposite DeJonn’s. She had been observing him from the grocery store for about five minutes and was surprised to see the manager of Auto Rides in such a state. When he didn’t stop drinking, she decided to go to him.

As she approached him, she noticed the tears in his eyes, and although she would pray for such on a normal day, she felt that he was in a lot of pain. “Jackson, sir?” she said softly. “What’s wrong?” Jackson looked up at the sound of her voice; his eyes were filled with tears. For a moment, he didn’t say anything, but then he stood up and rushed towards her, embracing her tightly. “Mom,” he whispered, “I missed you so much.” Daphne was taken aback by his sudden embrace. She was confused and a little surprised.

“Jackson,” she said, pulling away from him gently, “what’s going on, sir?” Jackson looked at her with tears in his eyes.

“I thought you were my mom,” he said softly. “I’m sorry.”

Daphne’s heart broke for him. She knew that Jackson had lost his mother years ago, and the pain of that loss had never really gone away. She put her arm around him and led him back to his seat at the bar. “Jackson,” she said, “I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine how hard this must be for you. But you know I’m here for you, right? You don’t have to go through this alone.” Trying to ease his pain through those words, for Daphne, was a courtesy. She wished she could take them back as soon as she said them.

Jackson nodded, his eyes still filled with tears. “Thank you, Daphne,” he said.

Daphne lifted her chair and placed it beside Jackson’s right hand. She sat beside him like a student in the class, saying nothing but holding and gently rubbing his right hand.