The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39

“You aren’t a nobody,” he said. “She wouldn’t do all this for a nobody.”

“Then you believe me?” My hope was raw.

“Vanessa was my friend since we were kids,” he said. “If she wanted to help you…” He shook his head. “I need time to think.”

Without another word, he turned and left.

I thought that was it. That he’d expose me, destroy the fragile new life I was desperately trying to build.

Instead, he came back three days later.

He found me in the NICU. Standing over Ava’s incubator.

“She’s beautiful,” he said quietly.

I startled. Nearly knocked over the hand sanitizer dispenser.

4

“I’ve been thinking,” William continued, “about what you told me. About Vanessa and her request.”

“If you’re going to turn me in-”

“I’m not.” He looked at Ava. “Vanessa saw something in you. I want to see it too.”

“So, you’re okay with me lying to everyone?”

“I’m okay with you honoring a dying woman’s wishes.” Pause. “And I think you and your daughter need someone in your corner.”

“Why would you help me?”

“Because Vanessa would want me to. We’d been friends for a long time. Our whole lives. I don’t know why she didn’t trust me with everything she was going through. I would have been there for her, but…” He swallowed hard. “I can’t do anything for her anymore. But I can do this.”

So, he had. Three years running. Showing up for birthdays, school events. Being the support I desperately needed. Standing in as my fiancé without one word of complaint. 2

Never asking for anything back.

“Mama? Did you hear me?”

I blinked. Ava was staring at me expectantly.

“Sorry, baby. What’d you say?”

“I said Papa brought me a new coloring book! Look–unicorns!”

“That’s wonderful.”

William stood, stretched. “I should probably let you two get ready for the doctor’s rounds. But I’ll stop by later?”

“You don’t have to-”

“I want to.” He squeezed my shoulder. “Besides, I have meetings in the area all week. It’s no trouble swinging by with dinner.”

We walked to the doorway together. Ava was already absorbed in her coloring book, tongue poking out in concentration

“How are you really doing?” William asked quietly. “With the work situation”

I’d texted him last night with a briet update about Sheila’s power play and my one month death sentence.

Chapter to

+25 BONUS

“Managing Barely.”

“Let me make some calls know people who ”

“No.” I cut him off gently. “I appreciate it, William. But I need to do this myself.”

“You are capable, you know. You’ve been running that company successfully for three years.” 1

“Tell that to my board of directors.”

He studied my face. “You’re sure? One phone call could secure you three major contracts.”

“I’m sure. If I can’t do this on my own, then maybe Sheila’s right.”

William looked like he wanted to argue. But he nodded instead. “Okay. But promise me if you really need help, you’ll ask.”

“Deal.”

He pulled me into a quick hug. Brotherly, comfortable, safe.

“You’ve got this, Laila. I know you do.”

The sound of my real name, spoken so casually. A gift I didn’t deserve.

After he left, I returned to Ava’s bedside. She was coloring a purple unicorn with intense concentration, her little tongue still poking out.

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