Chapter 53

**James POV**

*Twenty-four year ago*

James stayed awake till past 4 am before exhaustion took hold of his body and he succumbed to sleep.

He woke with a start drenched in sweat and from the near suffocation under the blanket. He slowly peeked through the edge of the blanket to survey the room.

Bright sunlight welcomed him. He whipped the blanket away from him and ran towards the door.

He checked the handle and it's still locked. James shouted, his voice croaked from last night's crying while banging on the door, "please open the door father!"

Alas, not a soul responded. His stomach grumbled protesting for food. Hunger gnawed his insides. For a boy who was never without food, it's sheer torture.

James used the attached bathroom in the room and used his hands to drink some water from the sink for his parched throat.

Morning's welcome rays turned to hot sunny heat as James waited for the door to be opened. His arms became heavy. His hands and legs started to shiver from dehydration.

An unsteady haze clouded beneath his eyes due to hunger. He stumbled towards the door with shaky legs only to crumple on the floor from lack of strength.

He doesn't know how long he stayed there in that prone position. Time became endless to him. The dark descended slowly as the afterglow of sunset lingered on the horizon.

It looks like a storm is brewing. Dark clouds gathered in the sky. A chilly breeze passed through the window. James shivered uncontrollably. Another night staying here may as well push him to the brink of madness.

He doesn't have any energy left in him to go to the bed and take shelter under the blanket. James tucked his legs as the wind howled through the windows making the eerily scary sounds.
James prayed with his dry lips, "please god! Help me. Please"

The wind picked speed. The curtains swayed matching its speed. James closed his eyes tightly fearing for his life.

A sudden crash of the lamp from the bedside table made him scream louder than ever.

Suddenly the lock was opened and the door banged on the sides as Agatha ran through the room.
James doesn't know whether it is an illusion or real. All he realized in his panic-stricken mind is Agatha is here. She will help him.

Agatha's heart pierced seeing this shaking child. Looking at the red mark on James's cheek Agatha lost the battle to stay strong and gave a heartbreaking sob.

She clutched him to her heart as she cried "I'm sorry child. I shouldn't have left you. If only I have known. I'm sorry, child"

James wet his dried lips and whispered, "I... I'm starving... Agatha. Can... you...feed me...please?"

"Oh, my poor boy", Agatha sobbed listening to this proud kid begging for food.

She carefully lifted him and tried to carry him out of the door. His body's tremors have not lessened after seeing Agatha.

Just as she stepped past the threshold, James lost the struggle to remain conscious.
Agatha looking at the heavyweight in her arms gave an alarming cry as she tried to call someone for help.

"Oh no... oh James", she quickly put him on the nearby couch and dialed 911.

Though she cried she couldn't help herself but feel proud that he never gave up in that room.
After a day in the hospital, James regained the lost color. A good dose of medication and liquids helped restore his ambiance.

Though the hospital helped with the physical strength, the mental one is also needed.

The doctor suggested a therapist but James's dad refused on the grounds that how will it look in front of society. The doctors' protests were soon quieted with a bundle of cash.

James's dad was guilty but not enough to remedy the situation. He cursed his son for fainting and causing this unnecessary drama.

James however remained cool and collected.

Once he was back in his home, he turned to his father and asked, "you forgot about me, didn't you?"

James's dad's red cheeks answered his question. James didn't concern himself with getting on another rowing match. He just nodded and left the room.

That is the day he built a fort around his heart. James promised himself that he will cross this without his father's help.

Nightmares like any invaded his sleep. James had a hard time stepping foot in the darkness. He hated eerie silences too.

Agatha tried to help wherever she could. The clocks were removed and digital ones were fixed. The hallways are always left busy now with people mulling around. No silent corridors like before.

It took him 6 months to get out of that trauma. To not jump while seeing the shadows. To control the urge to cover his ears at small sounds. It was a hard race but he won with his strong will.

Though it took him a long time he stood on his feet again without any fear. However, he never stepped foot in that room again while he stayed in that home.

*Present-day*

James shed his gloomy thoughts and concentrated on today. So, his father died. James gave a sigh which is rare for him and looked outside the window as the jet landed on the runway strip.
His efficient team has already made arrangements for the car and he was safely escorted outside the airport within minutes.

His father lived in one of those manors that are present in Kensington Palace gardens near Hyde Park. His stepmother was keen on a new house and new beginnings when they got married.

As the car circled the driveway in front of the house, James surveyed the house. The street was said to be billionaires’ row for a reason. The house stood four floors high with its domineering gothic element to it and is wrapped in a garden with lots of space in between to walk around.
James went inside and rang for the house's butler.

An old man with a stern look came inside the room holding a tray.

James ignored the offerings and asked, "where is he?"

"I'm afraid he is not here sir. Madam thought it would be better to let the-", he cleared his throat and continued, "commotion be finished by today. She has a parlor appointment tomorrow and doesn't want to miss it because of this", he cleared his throat once again, "unplanned situation".

"Eleanor. Anyways, I will handle her. Where is the funeral taking place?"

The butler informed the address of the church.

"Very well. Don't unpack my luggage. I won't be staying here for long. And do something about your throat. If Eleanor heard it, you will get fired."

"Ye...yes sir", the butler stammered.

James then called his legal team.

"Luke, I want all the papers to be ready for the manor in Kensington palace gardens."

"Are you thinking about selling it?" Luke asked disbelief rendering him almost speechless. That house is currently in billions and selling it is like auctioning the golden goose.

"No. I haven't decided yet", James voiced out his indecision.

"Keep that thought in mind"

"I just want to make sure it's on my name and Eleanor doesn't get any rights on it"

"I will prepare the works here. Don't worry, your father doesn't have any right to sign away any of the properties bought with your money", Luke assured him as he checked the property documents.

"Very well. Fax them once you are done preparing", James issued the order.

"As you wish boss"

The car stopped at the front gate of the church.

James entered the church with nary an emotion showing on his face. Only a handful of people are presently sitting in the rows and chatting amiably unconcerned that they are at a funeral.
James crossed the row where his stepmother sat and talked to some other woman. Not a single tear in anyone's eyes. Not a single sob emitted from anyone.

James looked at the face of his father. What a life he has led! Not even a single soul cared about his demise. What's the use of living life according to society's rules when it doesn't bother him?
James leaned down and whispered in his ear, "Look at these people. Do you think anyone cares about you? This...this is what you have made your legacy to be. You were a worse husband and even worse father. I hope you rot in hell fucker"

Just as he was about to stand up and leave the place, someone entered the church and stopped at the door.

Due to the angle of the light that is coming from outside, he couldn't see who it was and he was not overly concerned with it.

However, as the figure sauntered slowly to the center of the church, James sucked his breath.
"Am I late for the party?" The woman asked with a Cheshire Cat grin.

James stood rooted to the spot. He was incapable of uttering a single word as anger mounted inside him. He clenched his fists hard as he glared at the approaching figure.

Because standing in front of him is none other than Jacqueline. Jacqueline, the cunning witch. Jacqueline, the poisonous snake with the venom powerful than that of a snake. Jacqueline-the bane of his existence. His estranged wife.

At the front door casually leaning onto the side, Annabel slowly drawled, "hello, stepbrother. Missed me?"