12: Lethal Addiction

Jax Harper 

She's gone. 

I'm standing in the middle of her empty apartment, with her micro sim, without any traces of her in sight  

The small heels of my Crocs designer shoes click. I'm now standing in front of her portrait, my eyes exploring every perfect contour of her imperfection. 

“Tessa Morris.” 

A nasty smirk makes my upper lip twitch. Except if she sojourns out of the planet, I'll still find her. 

“Let's see how far you can go, mama.” The pads of my fingers slowly rub together. 

Just like I came in, I walk out, undetected by her neighbors, not like it matters anyway. The ride back home is thankfully short, with no hounding traffic that's capable of driving anyone crazy.

The automatic door slides open. From a distance, Charlotte jerks upward and ducks. It's so unusual of her. She smears her shaky hands on her uniform and keeps a long bow. She's certainly hiding her face. 

Was she molested in any form? 

“Speak.” My tone is icy sharp. 

“Welcome back…”

“Charlotte.” I snap her out of her shenanigans. 

Caught in all sides, she gives up her quest to play me around. “It's my twin sister.” She sniffles. 

My jaws clench. “Is it about her husband?” 

She shrugs. “Not exactly. She's in labor and there may be complications.” Her words melt on themselves. “She needs immediate surgery, but he can't really foot it…”

Incompetent. I sigh in my head. 

“Lead the way.” My hands dip in my pockets and I step aside for her. 

Shocked by my response, she stops talking. “I know you've given me part of my salary…”

I tune out, exhausted from her rants. “I thought this was supposed to be urgent?” 

She nods vehemently and storms out. I follow behind. By the time we get in the car, the driver's ear is filled with the directions to the hospital. 

It turns out to be a small clinic without specialists at their disposal. The first step is to do a quick transfer to a much better hospital within a good distance. Charlotte hops in the back of the ambulance as she joins her sister. My car follows behind. 

I relax back, hoping that this turns out fine. Charlotte isn't just a staff, she's worked with me since I made my first buck. 

We eventually arrived at an enhanced facility. The health workers rally around her twin. The life of both mother and child are their priority, or maybe it's for petty show-off, considering I'm with them. 

After clearing the bills, I wait in the lobby.  I'd usually walk out, but today is different. I wanted to wait it out. 

It takes roughly an hour, the door to the ER opens, and a nurse walks out. Her hair is tied in the disposable cap, hands are gloved. She wears a big smile that causes cool air to rush into our lungs. “Congratulations, it's a girl.” 

Charlotte squeals. She tries to pave her way, but the nurse prevents her. “She's under sedation, she needs to rest.” The nurse explains. “She'll be transferred to a private ward soon, you can be free to see her there.”

She nods her understanding. Her eyes are flooded with tears.

“Sir, thank you so much.” Charlotte crushes on her knees once the nurse disappears back into the ER. Her face is washed with tears. 

Till this moment, her husband isn't here. I bet he's digging the earth for a 24-karat gold to bail his ass. 

“It's fine. How about  you get them their needs?” I punch digits on my phone. “Money sent, I'll be right here.” 

Too dumbfounded, she just murmurs and sings my praises. Coming from her, I find it amusing. She finally leaves to get things done. 

Tick. Tock. 

Seconds crawl into minutes. It's the longest wait of my life. A nurse stops in front of me. 

“Mr. Jax, you can come with me.” 

I follow her without hesitation. Charlotte isn't here, the same as her husband. We walk past the well-lit corridor past the pediatrics unit before arriving at the maternity department. 

The nurse knocks and walks into the private ward. There, Charlotte's twin is, exhausted, with her little angel nestled in her arms. She rolls her lazy eyes and smiles at me. 

“If you need anything, you can press the alert button.” She motions before leaving us alone. 

Silence follows. 

“Thank you so much.” Her frail voice breaks. 

Now, my thank-you bank is overflowing. I simply nod. The words trapped at the back of my tongue are fighting to break free.

“Men like him will break you,” once I spill, there is no going back. “Lead you to depression, and eventually kill you.” 

She is startled by my words. It's nothing like the traditional congratulatory messages she is used to. 

My fingers drum on the foot of her bed. “For your sake and that of your innocent child, pack your things and run.” 

The door opens and excited Charlotte walks in. I adjust my pants and curtly tip a wave before walking out. 

Indeed, the truth is bitter, but it saves. 

I'm back in the car and we're heading back home. Bored, I stretch my long legs and pull out my phone. My gallery is a long compilation of the CCTV footage of her working in my numerous homes. I love to watch it, love to see her ignorantly sway her hips to the music only she could hear. It's how her worries drown when she picks up a mop and dons her disposable cap.

Not anymore. Those hands are made for precious stones and her head a befitting crown. 

My eyes don't peel away from my screen. I'm so addicted that I can shut my eyes and not miss the next step she takes in each clip. 

“Now you have my full attention, mama.”