Page 136 of More than Paper

“Valeria put the same clause in her trust for her. They split all their assets before they left so this could happen,” Noah says.

I sit down on the sofa next to Vivian, stunned once again that Jamison did all this before he left.

Why doesn’t he come home?

Cindy comes into the penthouse. She walks over, hugs me, and rubs my baby bump. “How’s the baby?”

“Doctor said everything is fine.”

She smiles at me. “Good. I was worried about you.”

The stress of not knowing where Jamison is and what’s happening has been a lot to bear. I thought I was going into labor the other night, but it was just Braxton Hicks contractions. Cindy and I were talking on the phone when it happened, and she came over and took me to the hospital. I just had a follow-up with my doctor this week.

Chase walks over to her and kisses her on the cheek. “Cindy, I’m glad you’re here. Maybe you can convince Quinn she needs to sign.”

Cindy looks at me.

“He’s not dead,” I softly say.

She turns to Piper. “Is there somewhere private Quinn and I can talk?”

Piper points to the door of their office. “You can use that room.”

“Quinn, let’s go chat,” Cindy says.

I begrudgingly follow her.I am not signing those documents.

We get inside the den and shut the door. As soon as we sit on the couch, Cindy pulls out her phone.

“I have something for you that Jamison left.”

“I’m sorry. What do you mean?”

“Before Valeria and he left, they told me about the clauses. He recorded something for you. I’ve not listened to it, but he gave me strict instructions that if Noah said it was time to invoke our clauses, then I needed to give this to you.” She hands me her phone, and there is a video with Jamison’s face on it.

As soon as I see him, tears start to fall down my face.

“I’m going to leave so you can watch it. I’ll be in the other room if you need me.”

I stare at his face through my tears for several minutes before I finally hit play. The sound of his voice alone crushes my soul but also fills my heart.

“Hey, doll. If Cindy gave this to you, then Noah is telling you to sign. I know you aren’t going to want to, but you need to do it. I don’t know what has happened. I may be alive or dead, but I need you to do what Noah says. The guys can help you make decisions if you need them to, but you’re more than capable if you want that stress in your life. Otherwise, let them guide you, but you have to sign.”

He pauses and stares at the camera for so long, I wonder if the video is frozen. But then tears come to his eyes. “I’ve done things wrong where you’re concerned. I thought I could make up for the fact I was married, but I know now I can’t. You deserve everything and not to ever feel like you’re my second priority. If I get through this alive, I promise you I will give you everything you deserve and not an ounce less. I love you, doll.”

The video ends. I watch it several times and then send it to my phone, my face streaked with tears and my baby bump wet where they fell.

I slowly make my way out to the main room. I walk over to the table. Cindy is signing her forms, and Noah and Chase are still seated. I hand Cindy her phone, sit down next to Chase, grab the pen, and quietly sign my name on all the forms.

When I’m done, Chase doesn’t say anything to me but pulls me into his chest, where I silently cry.

* * *

The next week,I get an envelope I have to sign for. When I open it up, there is another envelope inside. It has my name written on it, and I know it to be Jamison’s handwriting.

I debate whether to open it or not, but I finally do.

Hey Doll,

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