Rebel 33

 

Chapter 33 Move to Hensley Manor 

Jessica couldn’t make sense of any of it-back then, she didn’t even know him. Why was it him? 

Could Rhea have tricked him too? 

No, Rhea didn’t have the nerve to pull off something like that. 

Then who was the man in those scandalous photos? 

Her mind was a mess, tangled in unanswered questions. 

Charles saw the shift in her expression-she looked like she couldn’t wrap her head around it. His eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp edge flashing across his gaze. “What’s wrong? Upset that it turned out to be me that night?” 

T 

Jessica was still lost in thought, trying to make sense of it all. She didn’t pick up on the sudden chill in his voice, nor the tension behind his words. 

She lowered her head, whispering almost to herself, “How could it be you father? 

Could he really be Arthur’s 

Her reaction made his face harden. His voice turned frosty. “Like it or not, I’m the man you were with five years ago and I’m your son’s real father. So for your sake, mine, and the child’s, you should go ahead and sign the marriage agreement.” 

There was no mistaking the finality in his voice-he wasn’t asking, he was telling. 

Jessica glanced down at the document in her hands, her mind still tangled with everything she’d just learned. And now, this marriage agreement? She couldn’t just sign something like this on a whim, not even if it was only for appearances. 

Tightening her lips into a thin line, she said, “Mr. Hensley, even if you are Arthur’s biological father, that doesn’t mean marriage is the only solution.” 

Charles raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with scorn. “So what-you’re fine with something like today happening again?” 

Jessica’s heart skipped a beat. So that’s what he meant-Jane taking Arthur for a paternity test. 

But what did marriage have to do with any of it? 

Her brows drew together in confusion just as Charles spoke again, as if reading her thoughts. “Arthur is my son. Do you think I’d let my child live without protection? Even if I were willing to stand aside, my family wouldn’t allow it.” 

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Realization hit Jessica like a lightning bolt-once the Hensleys found out about Arthur’s identity, they wouldn’t sit back and do nothing. 

They’d do everything in their power to bring the child into their family. 

Panic surged through her. She suddenly reached for Charles’ hand, clutching it tightly as her voice trembled with urgency, “You can’t take my son from me!” 

Charles arched a brow, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “Then marrying me is the only way to keep him by your side.” 

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Jessica didn’t respond right away. She wasn’t naive-she knew she was no match for the Hensleys. If they made a move, there’d be nothing she could do to stop them. 

Was this really her only choice? 

She suddenly remembered how her son had always longed to find his father, and how he’d been laughed at in school for not having one. Now that she had the chance to give him a complete family, what reason did she have to hesitate? 

“Alright. I’ll do it.” Without giving herself time to second thought, she picked up the pen and signed her name with a steady hand. 

“Not even going to read it first?” Charles asked, a bit surprised to see her sign so quickly as her life depended on it. 

Jessica gave a faint smile and pressed her lips together. “Does it really make a difference now? I’d still end up signing it either way.” 

Charles gave a slight nod and tucked the document away. “From now on, you’re Mrs. Hensley. Go home and get some rest. I’ll make arrangements for you and Arthur to move into the Hensley Manor.” 

“So soon?” Jessica frowned, uncertain if he meant to have Arthur formally recognized by the Hensleys already. 

Charles gave her a cool glance. “You should prepare yourself, too. You and Arthur will be moving into the Hensley Manor soon.” 

“Move in with the Hensley Manor? Wouldn’t that be… awkward?” she hesitated, feeling like things were moving too fast. 

He moved closer, his voice low and commanding. “Mrs. Hensley, we’re already married. If you and Arthur aren’t living with me, do you plan to live separately?” 

His presence loomed over her, the scent of his cologne filling the air, and Jessica felt a sudden warmth flood her cheeks, involuntarily flushing. 

“I … understand.” She quickly turned her face away, trying to avoid the warmth of his breath brushing against her skin. 

But with a gentle yet firm touch, his fingers cupped her chin, guiding her back to face him. “And from now on, you’ll call me Charles.” 

Jessica felt her heart race under his intense gaze, her breath catching in her throat as she lowered her eyes. “Okay,” she whispered. 

“Call me again, so I can hear it.” 

His demand made her pulse quicken even more. With his eyes fixed on her, she found the courage to speak, “Charles.” 

The sound of her voice stirred something within him, a subtle shift in his demeanor. His gaze grew more intense, though he kept his composure. “Hmm,” he replied, his tone unreadable. 

“Go back and take care of the child,” he said, finally letting her go. 

Jessica nodded, about to open the door to exit the car, but he added, “Oh, and make sure you talk to the 

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child.” 

Was he concerned that Arthur might not accept him as his father? 

“I will,” Jessica responded. 

She wasn’t sure how she managed to leave the car, but by the time she realized what had happened, the Maybach that had been parked in front of her was nowhere to be seen. 

Holding the agreement in her hand, she couldn’t help but wonder-did she really just marry herself off like this? 

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It took Jessica an entire day to come to terms with the fact that Charles was her son’s father. 

While sorting through some old belongings, she found a newspaper from when she left Eldoria. The paper reported her wedding to Hugh and included several scandalous photos. 

She had kept this particular newspaper, not just as a reminder of the shame she couldn’t shake off, but also because she was determined to find the man from the scandalous photos. 

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