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“For some, it meant facing smear campaigns designed to discredit their reputation and undermine their credibility in the eyes of the public. False accusations and malicious rumors were spread. Others faced more direct threats of violence or blackmail. Lives and livelihoods were placed in jeopardy by those seeking to maintain their grip on power at any cost.”
Jackson clenched his fists, anger coursing through him. Could the body we found be related to Christopher and Rainey’s deaths or my birth? “Does this Council of Nine still exist?”
Martha shrugged gravely. “We stopped paying attention when your dad chose not to run for re-election. By then, he was volunteering as your football, basketball, and baseball coach. You were more important than any town council.”
Did they threaten Dad? Jackson’s shoulders sagged. “Mom, I know this was hard for you to share with me. Thank you.”
But he knew there were more secrets yet to be revealed.
* * *
By the time Jackson left his mom’s, it had turned into a cold night. He decided to check on Olivia. Chinese takeout in hand, he made his way to her place, his mind still swirling with the revelations from the discussion about his adoption and the town council.
He knocked gently on her door, the faint aroma of spices from the food wafting through the air. She greeted him with a mixture of surprise and warmth in her eyes. Liv's apartment was in a quiet neighborhood. It was decorated with a blend of modern and vintage elements, giving it a unique and comfortable atmosphere. The living room had warm, earthy tones and a plush, olive-green sofa. The coffee table was piled with books and magazines. Soft, ambient lighting came from a combination of floor lamps and some strategically placed LED candles.
“Jackson, what brings you here?” Her cheeks pinked.
“I thought I'd swing by, see how you're feeling. Brought some Chinese food too. I figured you might not feel up to cooking. May I come in?”
She waved him inside. “Sure.”
He entered her apartment, placing the containers on the table. The kitchen boasted a sleek design with stainless-steel appliances and granite countertops. Olivia's love for cooking was evident in the well-organized shelves filled with cookbooks and neatly arranged spices. A small dining area adjacent to the kitchen featured a rustic wooden table surrounded by mismatched chairs, giving it a charming, eclectic vibe.
“Sit.” She walked into her kitchen and grabbed some dishes and silverware. “Can I get you something to drink?” She placed the plates on the table.
He pulled some tea bags out and waved them. “Tea?”
Olivia put up the kettle and returned to the dining area. “I went back to work today. I took a walk out to the Waverly estate.” She swished her jaw. “My partner and I did a little excavating.” She stared at Jackson. “We found a glass vial with a phoenix etched in the glass. It was sent to the ME.” She grabbed her phone and brought up a photograph.
“Damn.” He followed her back into the kitchen and waited for the water to boil. After pouring the boiling water into the mugs Liv pulled out of the cabinet, he carried them to the table. They both sat. “It looks like the same design on the fireplace.”
Jackson opened the containers. “I got a chicken, beef, and a shrimp dish. I didn’t know what you like.” He stopped and pressed his hands between his knees. “Livvy, I need to tell you something.” He took a deep breath.
“What’s wrong?” Liv leaned in toward him.
“Your mom. When you were in the hospital, I asked her if she knew anything about the estate. She advised me to talk to my mom.” He slurped a sip of the hot tea. “I was adopted. I knew that. But she was always evasive about the circumstances.”
A fine sweat broke out across his forehead. “My mother kept stuff from me all these years. But today she finally told me my father and yours found me as an infant beneath the body of my dead birth mother. They found me in the ashes of the Waverly mansion fire.” He reached into his pocket and placed the engraved silver rattle on the table. “And this was found in my hand.”
* * *
Liv listened in stunned silence as Jackson revealed the startling truth about his past, her own mind reeling. As he continued, recounting the circumstances of his adoption and the secrets that had been kept from him for so long, empathy washed over her. She could see the pain etched in the lines of his face, the raw emotion in his words.
Reaching out, she placed a comforting hand on his arm. In that moment, the distance between them vanished, replaced by a shared bond that had brought them together.
And as she looked at the silver rattle, a symbol of the secrets that had shaped his life, Liv knew there were more ghosts in their past.
* * *
“I never felt abandoned or unloved. But this, it's a lot to process, you know? Learning about where I came from, how I ended up being adopted.”
Olivia continued to listen, her eyes remaining teary.
Jackson rarely let anyone in, much less let them see him vulnerable. Yet he felt safe allowing her to see this side of him.
“I can't imagine how you’re feeling.” She walked to his side and wrapped him in her arms. In that intimate moment, something shifted between them. She leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek.
Their eyes met again, igniting a flicker of something more. “Liv, we better eat before the food gets cold.” He put the brakes on how he was feeling. He’d never felt so off-balance with a woman before.
