161: Her help - Part 2

Jackson reclined against the plush leather of his chair, his phone held lazily in his hand. The expensive whiskey in front of him remained untouched, the amber liquid catching the dim light. He was trying to drown out the world after a particularly messy string of events. Unfortunately, his attempts at solitude were interrupted when his phone buzzed insistently in his pocket.

The screen lit up with the name "Mother." Jackson sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair before answering. "Hello, Mother."

Helena's voice came through, sharp yet layered with a forced calmness that Jackson knew all too well. "How are you holding up, Jackson? I haven't heard much from you lately."