Chapter 345 You Got Married?
"You're handling this pretty well, Miss Wilson. Don't worry, I won't bite," Thomas smirked, grabbing the bowl of chicken soup Jasper had ordered and taking a big gulp. "Mr. Foster made it clear when he got me out. Behave, and I stay free."
He grinned, showing off some unnervingly sharp teeth. "He specifically warned me to keep my hands off you, so I wouldn't dream of it." His eyes flicked to a group of men hanging out near the beach. "Besides, David's guys are watching. Even if Mr. Foster gave the okay, I wouldn't risk it."
Adeline shivered, his words sending chills down her spine.
"Jasper... got you out?" she whispered.
"Of course," Thomas replied smoothly, not a hint of guilt. "Who else could get me out?"
His words hit her hard, leaving a dull ache.
Jasper had locked Thomas up for trying to kill her, for breaking into Willowcrest Terrace with murder in mind. And now, he had let him out without a word to her.
"Don't overthink it, Miss Wilson," Thomas said, amused as if reading her mind. "Remember, Mr. Foster and I go way back. We're old friends, business partners."
"He hired me six years ago, remember?"
Adeline's fingers dug into her skirt.
Yes, she remembered. Jasper had orchestrated that terrifying night on the bridge, hiring Thomas to push her into the icy water.
Their bond was deeper and more complicated than she had realized.
Taking a deep breath, she met his gaze. "Jasper let you out... to do his dirty work?"
"Naturally," Thomas smirked, recalling Stella's instructions.
"Mr. Foster has certain needs his usual employees can't handle. And I have a particular set of skills."
"He needs someone discreet, and I need the money. It's mutually beneficial, you see?" He pulled a folded document from his pocket and tossed it on the table in front of her. "As a friend and loyal employee of Mr. Foster, I'm offering you a simple solution, Miss Wilson. Sign this discharge form, and I'll personally get Mia out of that asylum."
He leaned forward, eyes intent. "She's perfectly sane. She doesn't belong there. Keeping her locked up is inhumane. She'll go mad for real if you keep this up."
"I know you're afraid I'll take her money, her inheritance. But what good is money to a madwoman, hmm?"
"And with Mr. Foster on my side now, you can't stop me."
His words hit home, sending a shiver of fear down her spine.
He was right. With Jasper's backing, Thomas was untouchable. He could easily disappear with Mia and her fortune, leaving her powerless.
But what about Mia? Could she condemn her to a lifetime in that dreadful place?
She stared at the discharge form, her hand trembling as she reached for it.
She had assumed Jasper understood why she had Mia committed, that he wouldn't release someone like Thomas so easily.
But she had miscalculated.
Jasper was ruthless, capable of unimaginable cruelty.
Thomas finished his soup and set the empty bowl on the table. "No rush, Miss Wilson. Take your time to think it over."
"I'll be back in three days for your answer." He stood up, stretching lazily. "Mr. Foster's a lifesaver. I haven't eaten this well in months."
He walked away, leaving Adeline alone with her swirling thoughts.
The sea breeze, once refreshing, now felt icy cold, chilling her to the bone.
She sat there for a long time, watching the waves crash against the shore, a sense of dread settling over her.
That night, sleep offered little relief.
Her dreams were a mess of nightmares.
She dreamt of Thomas and Mia's wedding, a grotesque spectacle, followed by Thomas murdering his new bride to claim her fortune and life insurance.
She dreamt of Jasper, his eyes cold and calculating as he ordered the termination of her pregnancy.
She dreamt of Blake, his illness worsening, his cries of pain echoing in her ears as he lay dying in his hospital bed.
She woke with a start, heart pounding, drenched in sweat.
Morning sickness hit hard. She barely made it to the bathroom before throwing up.
Exhaustion weighed her down, but sleep wouldn't come.
The weight of her worries, fear for her unborn child, for Blake, for her own future... it was suffocating.
She knew she needed rest, especially now, but her mind wouldn't stop racing.
She didn't sleep again that night.
As dawn broke, she dragged herself out of bed, body aching, spirit weary.
She had arranged to meet David at the hospital, hoping to finally convince him to agree to Linda's abortion.
Once Linda's situation was resolved, she could leave the country, reunite with Sebastian, and start anew.
But as she entered Linda's hospital room, she felt a strange, unsettling atmosphere.
David sat slumped in a chair, his face a mix of anger and resignation.
Linda leaned against the pillows, eyes red and swollen from crying.
Adeline frowned, heart sinking.
"What happened?" she asked softly, approaching Linda's bedside.
Linda sniffled, wiping her tears. "Adeline... he agreed to the abortion."
A flicker of relief and triumph shot through Adeline.
Finally, some good news.
"You convinced him?" she asked, her voice hushed.
She had been ready for a long, tough battle.
"No," Linda shook her head, voice thick with unshed tears. "Jasper convinced him."
Adeline froze, breath catching in her throat.
Jasper had promised to help, but after last night, after his cold demeanor and veiled threats... she had assumed he would wash his hands of the whole affair.
Yet, he had gone to David and somehow persuaded him to change his mind.
But if that was the case, why was Linda crying?
Sensing her confusion, Linda silently held out a small booklet.
Gold lettering on the cover glinted under the fluorescent lights: Marriage Certificate.
"You... you got married?" Adeline stammered, eyes widening in disbelief.
Linda nodded, fresh tears welling up. "It was his condition for the abortion."
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