Chapter 1916

If you didn't watch this girl for a single day, she'd forget to eat at all.

"Come on, try it. Tell me if it's good," Jackson urged, gently setting Fiona in a chair and placing a steaming bowl of soup beside her.

Fiona took a few sips-the taste was just as good as she remembered. Meanwhile, Jackson was still peeling shrimp for her, piling the little bowl in front of her with care.

"Jackson, did you get everything sorted out in the Capital?" Fiona asked.

"It's settled," Jackson replied, not slowing his hands. "But they found some old bones in the Woods family's branch basement. No one knows who they belonged to. They're being tested, but the remains are ancient-it could take ages to get results."

"How long do you think?"

"Hard to say. When I touched them, they basically turned to dust. Even moving them was a challenge."

Fiona ate a piece of shrimp, watching worry shadow Jackson's face.

He's afraid those bones might be their parents'.

"Now that you're in charge of the Woods family, did Grandpa Woods ever tell you what really happened back then?" she asked softly.

"I was just about to talk to you about that. Tomorrow morning I'm going back to the old house. After all this time, maybe I'll finally get some answers."

"I want to go with you."

"Alright."

After dinner, Fiona curled up on the couch, her eyes drifting shut until she fell asleep against Jackson's chest.

Maybe it was his scent-he always made her feel so calm and safe.

She slept straight through to morning.

When Fiona woke up, bleary-eyed and alone in bed, she blinked in confusion. For

a second, she wondered if last night had even happened or if she'd just dreamed it all.

She jumped out of bed, glancing around. Everything looked exactly the same, which only made her doubt herself more.

She could've sworn she'd been in Jackson's arms in the living room, talking, then falling asleep. How did she end up in her bedroom?

Barefoot, she cracked the door open and peered out. No, it couldn't have been a dream.

She hurried out-living room, empty. Dining room, empty. Was it really all in her head?

But it felt so real.

Suddenly, she caught a glimpét

someone moving in the kitchen.

Fiona rushed over and stopped at the doorway, watching the familiar figure inside.

It was Jackson.

So it wasn't a dream after all.

A wave of relief and happiness crashed over her.

He really was back.

Jackson came out carrying breakfast. When he saw Fiona standing there barefoot, he quickly set the plates down and walked over to her.

"Why aren't you wearing shoes?" he asked gently.

Fiona's eyes grew teary. She reached up, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face in his shoulder, clinging to him like a kitten who'd finally found its way home.

"Why didn't you say anything? I thought I was dreaming..."

She looked so small and vulnerable in his arms.

Jackson's heart softened instantly. He hugged her, lifting her up with one arm.

"That's on me. You looked so

peaceful sleeping-I didn't want to

wake you. I figured you'd be hungry

when you got up, so I made

breakfast. Next time, I promise I'll

wake you first, okay?"

It was the kind of gentle promise you'd make to a little kid, but Fiona just nodded,

soaking in every bit of his warmth, trusting him completely.