Chapter 458

Jason’s POV

I sat at my desk, leaning back in the chair as I stared at the ceiling. How did we get here? How did I get here?

When I first brought Layla into my life, it was out of necessity, or so I’d told myself. 

She was leveraged, a pawn in a game that had nothing to do with feelings or emotions. But somewhere along the line, things had shifted.

I ran a hand through my hair, letting out a frustrated sigh. She was supposed to be my captive, someone I controlled and manipulated to achieve my goals. 

Instead, she’d become someone I couldn’t seem to say no to, someone whose happiness had started to matter to me in ways I didn’t fully understand.

“Jason, what the hell is wrong with you?” I muttered to myself, shaking my head.

I thought back to earlier today at the hospital, the way she’d lit up when she saw the baby on the ultrasound screen. 

That smile, the tears in her eyes…it had done somet