Woke Up Married

41

Stepping Down

Jason stared at the document on the screen blankly in total shock.

In the attached file was his birth certificate, which had the names of a man and a woman as his biological parents. There was another document with details of the adoption. He was adopted into the Haward family and the man he grew to know as his father named him Jason Haward. The only strange thing about the birth certificate was the fact that it only had a boy written in the space provided for the baby's name.

He stared at the document on the screen blankly in total shock. He picked up his phone from the table and sent a message to the person. He got up from behind his desk and went to sit on the sofa in deep thought.

All along, the man he knew as his biological father was his stepfather. Thinking about what to do in this situation, he immediately recalled something Mr Haward, his adopted father, told him when he was just a child.

"Always be honest in your dealings and never claim ownership of what is not yours, even if it was given to you by mistake. The day you find out is not for you, return it to the rightful owner," said Mr Haward, Jason's adopted father.

"I understand not taking something that doesn't belong to you, because that is stealing, but if it was given to you mistakenly, why do you have to return it?" Little Jason asked.

"Because there is no honour in shame, son. If it's not for you, remember that the rightful owner will come for it one day. When that day comes, you will lose everything, including what belongs to you. You should pick what is yours and leave," replied his father, and little Jason nodded in acknowledgement of what his father was saying.

Jason closed his eyes, giving deep thought to what he had just remembered. Mr Johan Haward was not his biological father, but he treated and raised him like his own son. He knew and understood the rules surrounding Haward's family inheritance and what it takes for one to be the heir. He was not of their bloodline and hence knew very well, he couldn't be the heir. He had only landed this position because he was married.

Jason unlocked the screen of his phone and checked his account. He had enough money to rent a small apartment and start a new business. He had already decided in his heart, without a second thought, to leave for the rightful owner to take his place.

He used his contacts, made a few calls and was able to rent a new apartment in Orlando, a two-bedroom apartment. He completed the paperwork and quickly made the payment. This was very easy owing to his personality. Once he was done, it was time to inform the people he had worked with closely that he was leaving.

With this in mind, he first assembled all the guards in his office and updated them on the current situation. He didn't give many details aside from letting them know he had to leave for the true heir to take over.

"My work here is done, and it is time for me to leave for the true heir to take over. You will remain employees of the Haward family and will still earn your salary as stated in your contracts. The only thing that will change is your boss," Jason said.

"Sir, what is happening, why the sudden change of ownership? You are already doing a great job, and it's evident in how well all the companies are performing," asked one of the guards.

"The Hawards have very strict rules. I am not the eldest of my siblings," Jason said and paused. "And I am also not a true Haward," he added to the shock of many of the guards. "So, I can't be the owner. The family will assemble you and let you know, but I feel working with you all for this long, I owe it to let you know I am leaving," he said.

The mood of the guards immediately changed. Jason had his flaws, but he was always honest with them and treated them fairly. He is unforgiving when you commit an offence, but he was very nice to them.

Jason dismissed them but his most trusted guard, Peter, decided to stay behind. He had heard part of the conversation in the apartment in the morning when he was descending the steps from the 7th floor. Jason raised his eyebrows, seeing he had not left like his colleagues.

"Sir, I know what is happening and understand why you are leaving, but I still want to work with you. I will go wherever you go; you don't have to worry about me. I have earned enough money to last me a lifetime. You don't have to pay me anything, just let me continue to work with you. I can afford to rent an apartment close to where you will be and help out with some few things, like being your driver or driving the media away," Peter said.

Jason smiled in admiration.

"You don't have to, Peter. The pay here is good. You might also want to consider building your own family, marrying, having children and enjoying a good life," Jason replied.

"No sir. I don't have a life here, and it was never about money. Talking about family, I see you as my elder brother. You are a good boss and that alone made working for the Haward enjoyable. I enjoyed working for your father, and it is the same with you," Peter said. "Please let me come with you, don't leave your kid brother behind," he pleaded, and Jason nodded.

"I rented an apartment in Orlando. I will go pick up my stuff from the house, and we can go," Jason said, and Peter acknowledged with a smile, happy Jason accepted his request.

The only reason he had continued working for the Hawards' was Jason. If it were the prideful Mrs Haward who belittled everyone, the womanizer and unreasonable James, and the unpredictable Mirenda, he would have resigned as guard the very day Mr Haward died.

Jason got up and went into the bedroom inside his office and found Julia lying on the bed, but she was not asleep. He sat down on the bed, his back facing her. He knew he needed to set Julia free. They were married, but she didn't move to stay with him willingly. He forced her to move in. He was also aware she was scared of him and the fact that he had the power to do as he pleased was a reason she didn't run away from him. In his mind, he was no different from James as he had also taken advantage of her vulnerability. Just like James wanted to force himself on her, he had also done the same to her. The only difference here is, that he succeeded, but James didn't. That night, on the 7th floor, she had protested, but her protest didn't stop him from having his way with her.

"I just found out I was adopted," Jason began, and Julia sat up on the bed surprised by the news.