Three Years of Loyalty, Paid Back With a Lie

“Tucker, are you angry? Don’t worry, I promise they won’t interfere with us…”

But before Delaney could finish, Jade’s trembling voice broke in again, with desperation.

“Delaney, while you were gone this past month, the child hasn’t been eating or sleeping well. His health started to decline. I want to take him to the hospital for a proper checkup. I don’t know my way around here, can you come with us?”

“You know I have nothing left. Torren is all I have now. If something happens to him, I truly won’t be able to go on.”

I turned to look at Delaney. She didn’t speak right away, but her eyes gave her away.

She was worried, deeply worried about that child.

I gave a small nod.

“He’s still just a child. His health comes first. Go with them. After all, his mother did give her life for you.”

Relief visibly swept across Delaney’s face. Even her voice sounded lighter.

“Then I’ll take them now and come right back. Tucker, thank you. Thank you for understanding.”

With that, she turned toward the door, lifting the boy in her arms with practiced ease.

She was so anxious, she hadn’t even changed out of her pajamas.

I watched as the child rested his head against Delaney’s shoulder, completely reliant on her. Then, I watched the three of them walk away, like a picture-perfect family fading into the distance.

My heart felt like it had been hurled into a bottomless abyss, sinking endlessly until even the silence was deafening.

By the time the sky turned completely dark, Delaney and Jade finally returned with the child.

I had spent the entire day curled beneath the covers, not moving an inch.

When Delaney stepped into the room, guilt clouded her face. My chest tightened, a creeping dread clawing its way up inside me.

She spoke in a calm voice.

“Tucker, the child’s condition isn’t good. The doctor said he’ll need long-term care. They don’t know anyone else around here.”

“This house is so big. Can they stay here for a while?”

I shut my eyes, fighting back the sharp bitterness rising in my throat.

Just this morning, she had promised they wouldn’t affect our lives. Yet now, she was asking to bring Jade and his child into our home.

When I opened my eyes again, they had gone still, cleared of every storm.

I was about to speak when I noticed Jade standing at the door, holding the child’s hand.

“Tucker, please don’t blame Delaney. She’s just worried about the child’s health. His mother passed away shortly after he was born. Since then, Delaney’s taken on the role of his mother, so it’s only natural that he depends on her.”

“He’s still so young. I can’t even explain to him that Delaney isn’t really his mom. But if this makes you uncomfortable, I’ll take him and leave…”

Jade’s words flowed like honey, but my attention was fixed on the necklace around the child’s neck.

My breath hitched, and I gripped the blanket, my heart pounding. Tears spilled from my eyes without warning.

I looked up at Delaney, my voice barely more than a rasp.

“That necklace on the child’s neck. What is it?”

When I was sixteen, Grandpa had paid a small fortune to hire Delaney as my bodyguard.

I’d never been in much danger, but when I turned eighteen, Delaney was ambushed by enemies. In a heartbeat, we both exchanged gunfire.

In that split second, my body moved faster than my mind. I lunged forward, taking the bullet meant for Delaney.