Falling For My Accidental CEO Husband
Chapter 204: Uncle Jam

Chapter 204: Uncle Jam

The older man sat at a corner table in the quiet restaurant, his hands clasped tightly around a coffee cup that had long gone cold. Nervous energy coursed through him, making his foot tap against the polished wooden floor. A few days ago, he’d received an unexpected phone call from someone claiming to be an investigator looking into the death of his old friend, Edward. The news had shocked him—Edward’s death was an old wound that he’d long tried to bury.

The investigator had pressed him for details, and Sam had shared everything he could recall or had been told about by Edward. Of course he’d never met Edward’s wife or son because they’d been long gone when Edward bacame his neighbour, but the man had shared everything with him. And so, he told the investigator everything he knew. Or rather, everything he should know only. There was one thing that he had not mentioned...

He’d saved that for the last. Because he had questions of his own, burning ones that he felt compelled to ask. Chief among them was the identity of whoever had reopened this long-dormant case and why. He needed to warn them about the things Edward had believed and found out, the dangers that lurked beneath the surface of his friend’s life. Yet the investigator had been cagey, refusing to give any specifics.

However, when he’d threatened to not share any more information, the man had relented and promised that he would pass on his questions and leave it to the other party to contact him.

And so, when the call finally came, he’d agreed to meet the person. The voice on the other end of the line was unfamiliar, a man who introduced himself only briefly before setting the time and place. In fact, the man had not even given him a name, just that he was investigating the case. Now, as he waited, doubt crept into his mind.

What if these people were the ones who were responsible for Edward’d death? He knew Edwina Dawn had died last year and there were a lot of controversies ongoiing around the Dawns’. What if the person who contacted him was not Serena like he was thinking but someone else out to harm Serena?

But Sam shook his head. He was sure that it would be Serena. He’d definitely recognise the little girl and then tell her the rest of the things. His unease deepened when he remembered the other strange inquiries he’d heard about recently. Someone else had been poking around—asking questions about Edward, about the old house, and about that terrible Chapter of their lives. It had unsettled him deeply.

If it wasn’t Serena who came, then he would definitely pretend that it was all a big mistake and leave here. He didn’t understand the need for this secrecy though, the reason to come to this place where there were no people about.

The restaurant door creaked open, and Sam glanced up instinctively, his breath hitching. A young woman stepped inside, her gaze sweeping the room before settling on him. She hesitated briefly, then a smile spread across her face, lighting it up with a warmth he instantly recognized.

"Uncle Jam," she said softly, approaching the table.

She chuckled, shaking her head as she reached out to clasp his hand. "And you look the same too—ancient!"

He let out a hearty laugh, the sound easing the tension that had been coiling in his chest. "Still sharp with the tongue, I see," he teased, motioning for her to sit. After patting her hand affectionately, he settled back into his chair, studying her with a mixture of joy and concern. "How have you been, little one? It’s been so long."

Her smile dimmed slightly, but it didn’t disappear. "I’m okay, Uncle Sam. It’s been... a journey. But I’m here, and I’m doing well."

Sam shook his head, a weary sigh escaping him. "All these years, I wondered if you were thriving under that woman. I tell you, I tried to convince her to leave you with me, you know—with my kids. We’d have raised you like one of our own, but she wouldn’t listen. Have you been well? Truly?"

Serena reached out and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "I’ve been well, I promise. Edwina... was okay. And living in your house. Ha! If she’d left me there, you would have gone bald by now."

Sam laughed at that." Well, you always were a handful! Edward always did say that you would make his hair turn grey early." He paused and then continued," I’m glad to hear that you’ve been okay, Serena. Really glad. You’ve grown into a fine young woman, despite everything."

She laughed softly. "Thank you. And you’re still the same—always worrying about everyone else. Some things never change, do they?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Not when it comes to you, little one. You’ll always be that little girl trying to kick me down in your father’s class, practicing your kicks."

Serena smiled at that and shook her head," Thank you, Uncle Jam."

"And I see, you’re still stubborn enough to call me Jam and not Sam."

Serena shrugged at that. She’d always been stubborn. No doubt there.

Finally, Sam sighed and looked at her," Serena, why are you looking into your father’s case?"

Serena turned serious then and looked at the older man," You know why, Uncle. Wasn’t it you who first mentioned that my father was killed. I didn’t remember it in the past. It was at the time of his funeral. I think you mentioned it to my grandmother. So, I want to know, why did you think so, Uncle?"

Sam looked around. Even though he knew the restaurant was empty, he didn’t trust anyone. He dared not. Specifically after he had been warned by Edwina. So, he lowered his voice and leaned forward," Because your father was investigating your brother’s kidnapping. He was doing it silently. Without letting anyone know. He let the others believe that he’d given up on his son and moved away to be with his daughter and keep her safe but he was investigating. And the night he died... he’d found something..."