Dead at Heart (Ariel and Jayson) novel Chapter 809

Samson finding out about their child's existence was the last thing Ariel had expected.

As a mother, her heart ached unbearably whenever she thought about her baby—one she had not even met yet—being in danger.

That child was the only one she had been able to conceive before losing her ability to have children permanently. The baby meant everything to her. She could not let anything happen to the child.

Samson's approach was cruel. He had struck precisely where she was weakest.

He could tell Ariel had given in. Her reaction showed just how deeply she cared about the child—and how much Jayson's safety still mattered to her. The thought displeased Samson.

Ordinarily, he would never pursue a woman who had already given her heart to someone else. But Ariel was an exception.

Now, Samson could say with certainty that his feelings for her were strong enough to make him overlook the fact that she loved another man.

He rose to his feet. "I'm glad you've come around. We'll depart for Durosaro tomorrow night. Pack your things and be ready."

He adjusted his crumpled collar—creased when Ariel had grabbed him earlier—then turned and left the room.

Ariel did not look at him again. She simply stared out the window.

Her head throbbed from the mounting pressure of everything that was happening. She didn't even know if Jayson was dead or alive. She had not planned to sit by helplessly waiting for rescue, but Samson had cornered her by using her child as leverage.

Ariel took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

All she could do was pray silently, again and again, that Jayson was safe.

After everything they had been through, she couldn't bear to think of losing him like this, or of their story ending in such a way.

When the initial shock faded, Ariel retrieved the phone she had hidden and tried to find a stable signal.

But then she heard approaching footsteps. Quickly, she slipped the phone under a pillow.

It was nearly noon when a maid entered with her lunch.

Ariel didn't even glance at the food. She had no appetite, nor did she feel like talking.

The maid, who spoke fluent Merinian, said, "Mr. Pryce told me to inform you that you may leave your room and walk around the house if you wish."

Ariel said nothing.

Meanwhile, Jayson likely had his hands full, juggling multiple crises while worrying about Ariel and their baby.

Unfortunately for him, all his efforts would amount to nothing.

Samson was about to head downstairs to check if Ariel had eaten when his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID—it was the subordinate he had sent to Nacsall to handle the matter of the child. Samson answered, his expression blank.

But the voice on the other end was tense. "Mr. Pryce, I have bad news."

"What's wrong?"

"We searched the entire facility, but we couldn't find the baby Jayson Larkin supposedly left at the medical institution. There are only two infants here—one from Nacsall and one from Carns. None of them are of Croinian descent."

Samson froze, his expression darkening. "Are you sure? You've been in Nacsall for some time now. How could you still not find the child?"

"The medical institution has a powerful and mysterious backer, which slowed our investigation. But I can confirm now—Jayson Larkin's child isn't here."

Samson's face hardened. "The facility's unique technology is necessary to sustain that child's life. It can't survive outside. And yet you're telling me the child isn't there?"