Chapter 2
“Sir, I already found a nurse who will look after Sir Jack,” Nolan, Jace’s assistant, told him as soon as he entered his office the following day.
“Make sure that she will take good care of my brother.”
“I briefed her on what she needs to do. The maids had been informed about his supplement as well.” His assistant added. Jace couldn’t remember how often he had hired a nurse for his brother because they kept resigning no matter how big their salary was. It was because his brother was hurting them, saying nasty things because he didn’t like the idea of being saved. He was adamant about taking his own life, which angered Jace even more. His brother didn’t want to recover even though he still had a big chance, especially when they had all the resources they needed for his medication and any surgeries he might require.
Jace sat on his chair and started working. Last night, he didn’t sleep well, thinking about his wife sleeping in a different room. He never thought that he would be feeling different towards Emerald.
“Hey man, what’s up?” his friend Kyle greeted Jace as he entered his office. “How’s the newlywed?”
“Stop saying nonsense,” Jace replied. His friend didn’t like his idea of revenge. Yes, Jace is avenging his older brother, Jack.
“Whatever, but I want to remind you about our trip next week.” His friend said, making him nod. They are scheduled to attend a conference in California where many technology enthusiasts will be present. It was vital for him to go there because he wanted to know about the latest trends.
SoftWare Group is an in-demand computer software company founded by Jace. In college, he decided to set up his own company, which made his father angry because he wanted his sons to take over their family business.
Jace was thankful to his big brother for letting him do what he wanted while Jack trained to manage their family business. Everything went according to plan, and the young Higginson saw his brother’s success.
One thing Jace admires about Jack is that he’s very down to earth. The eldest, Higginson, always keeps his feet on the ground and has a low profile. Being shy, he only let his assistant attend all the important events. He kept his identity hidden, so no one knew besides his family that he was the CEO of the number one commercial bank in the country and internationally.
Jace discovers that Jack is in a relationship and deeply in love with a certain woman. But because the woman thought his brother was poor, she broke up with him. No matter how much Jack tried to talk and keep in touch with the woman, she didn’t listen, causing him to fall into depression and, later, take his life in a car accident.
But the doctor managed to save Jack, only he would be tied to a wheelchair and darkness. But he still had a chance to see and walk, but he didn’t want to undergo any surgery. Because of his situation, he didn’t want to leave the house anymore.
The patriarch and matriarch of the Higginsons were sad about what had happened to their eldest son, so they took care of him personally with the help of a nurse. Jace also took care of their family business and his own business, SoftWare Group.
“Now that you’ve married her, how will you avenge your brother?” Kyle asked.
“She’s the reason why Jack was like that. He didn’t want to eat; he only wanted to take his life. That woman is selfish! I am going to make her suffer every day of her life.” Jace replied angrily, turning his face red. His jaw tightened as he tried to control his emotions.
“Have you talked to her? Have you asked her about Jack?” His friend asked.
“What’s there to ask, Kyle?” Jace asked, annoyed. He didn’t like that his friend was trying to justify the woman’s actions.
“I just want you to be sure. You are already married to her and now living in the same house.”
Jace sighed heavily, thinking about his wife, Emerald, and remembered the first time she saw her:
“Mr. Higginson, this is my eldest daughter, Emerose. She has a degree in–” Mr. Morgan said, introducing his favorite daughter to Jace, who was focused on another woman sitting opposite him. At first sight, he noticed her immediately. She catches his attention, making him wonder when she didn’t do anything. It was as if he wanted to sit beside her, but he held onto himself because of his mission. No matter how attracted he was to the woman, his plan had to be executed.
As Mr. Morgan talked, Jace’s face darkened when he heard that the eldest daughter was named Emerose. This made him sure that the woman he was looking at with her head down was Emerald. The same woman dumped her brother, thinking he was poor.
Jace saw the shock on everyone’s faces after announcing that he would marry Emerald. ‘You’re acting like an innocent woman, but in reality, you’re a vixen,’ he thought, looking at the young Morgan. ‘I will make sure you’re going to live in hell with me, ‘ he added.
“Jace!” Kyle called and snapped him back to the present.
“Get everything ready for our trip, and don’t bother me about my wife,” He said as he continued working.
“If that’s what you want.” His friend replied, shaking his head. Just as Kyke opened the door to leave Jace alone, his eyes landed on a woman.
“Hi, I want to speak to Mr. Higginson,” the woman said, making Kyle look back at his friend, who was already busy working. “I’m Emerose Morgan,” the woman added.
“I see,” Kyle said, looking at her from head to toe and vice versa before he looked at his friend and called his attention.
“What?” Jace asked angrily and didn’t bother to look at his friend, thinking he would only annoy him.
“Emerose Morgan wants to talk to you,” Kyle replied, making Jace look at them.
“Hi, Jace.” Emerose greeted him, feeling close to him. She then pushed Kyle away so she could get closer to Higginson.
“Emerose,” Jace said when the woman stood before him.
“Can I talk to you for a moment?” she asked. Jace nodded before looking at Kyle, still waiting at the door in case his friend needed him. “It’s alright, Kyle, I know her,” Jace said, so his friend left. “Have a seat,” he told Emerose when they were left alone.
“Thank you,” Emerose replied sweetly. Unknown to her, Jace thinks he can use her to make Emerald suffer, so he lets her approach him.
“What do you want to talk about, Ms. Morgan?” Jace asked, trying to hide his annoyance.
“Please call me Emerose. I know you didn’t like Emerald, and I don’t care about your reason for choosing her as your wife. I had a feeling that you wanted me but chose her instead.”
Jace sneered at the woman internally. He thought she was an imbecile, thinking he would like someone like her. But he had to control his anger because of his plan, and he already saw the outcome because of Emerose.