003 | All In

"Are you sure about this, Harp?" Anne asked her best friend through the phone. She had known Harper since childhood and had stood by her through everything. The hit-and-run that took her adopted parents. The depression that followed. The justice that never came because the driver was protected by wealth.

"Yes, I'm sure. I want a divorce. On my own terms," Harper replied firmly. "I want it done as soon as possible."

"Fine. I will prepare everything right away. Take care, Harp."

The line went dead, and Harper exhaled, feeling like a heavy weight had just been lifted off her shoulders.

She stood in the corner of the garden where the memorial was being held, watching 'Maddie' and Malakai. They seemed to be deeply engrossed in a conversation. She no longer cared about what they were talking about. Her days as the wife of Malakai Blackwell were numbered. She had done enough.

Straightening her shoulders, she turned and started to walk away, her head held high. Her phone vibrated, and the text that popped up made her freeze.

[You want to know who killed your adopted parents, don't you? I can help you. It's someone in the Blackwell family.]

"Sunshine?" Harper nearly jumped out of her skin, whirling around to find Aiden Blackwell, Malakai’s younger brother.

His hair was pulled back in a low bun, his black tie crooked. His face was pale with dark circles under his eyes from years of struggle with drug addiction. He was more or less the black sheep of the family.

"What's got you all spooked out like that? You really don't look well," he said, and she shook her head, smiling.

"It's nothing."

His gaze narrowed, his brown eyes firing up.

"Malakai screwed up again, didn't he?" He demanded.

Harper's smile widened. He was the only member of the Blackwell family who was truly on her side. And although he was younger than her by four years, he constantly acted like a big brother around her.

"I'm fine. You look like crap, though," she pointed out, and he flashed her a sheepish smile, leaning in to whisper in her ear.

"I'm as hiiiiigh as a kite right now. Don't tell my mum, though."

Harper's eyes widened.

"Just kidding," he laughed and she shook her head in amusement.

"Harper, we need to talk," Malakai’s voice boomed from behind them.

Aiden frowned but said nothing. He simply walked away. He used to be very close to his brother. But his reckless behaviors had created a rift between them.

Harper gripped her purse tightly, meeting her soon-to-be ex husband's gaze squarely.

"About Maddie—"

"Don't bother," she droned, her expression schooled. Malakai stared at her, confused. This was not the woman he knew. Where did the woman who constantly fussed over him go?

Anger flooded his veins, his brows furrowed. Was he that insignificant to her? He had tirelessly worked his way up from poverty to the point where he lacked nothing and had become influential. At age thirty-two, he was the CEO of Blackwell group, famous in the business world for his relentless ambition. He was the dream man of most women.

So, why would she seek after other men? There were photos in his drawer. Tons of them. Business transactions that didn't make sense because she rarely ever touched his money. So where did they come from?

The guilt he had felt earlier vanished without a trace and so did the urgency to give her an explanation.

"I want a divorce," he said, searching her face for anything, anything at all that would indicate that she truly cared about him.

Instead, she smiled gently. "Okay."

If Malakai were a vehicle, he would have been a train, shooting steam out of his ears.

His chest heaved, frustration searing his insides.

Okay? That's it?

Harper started to turn away, and he reached for her wrist to stop her. Then he stopped, his hand hovering in the air. His pulse pounded against his ears as he watched her leave, his throat tight.

She reminded him of her. His first love. Diana. The one who left him for a rich man when he was at his lowest. The one who shaped his mentality about women being nothing but gold diggers. The origin of the scar that never faded. Harper was just like Diana after all. How foolish he'd been to hold on for this long.

Maddison's strong perfume washed over him as she moved to stand by his side, reaching for his hand.

"I won't ever leave you, I promise," she said, and he pulled away from her, an aggressive ache blooming in his skull.

"Not now, Maddie. Just—"

"Leave you alone? Don't be such a weakling. You got me pregnant. Shouldn't you take responsibility for it?"

Malakai squeezed his eyes shut, holding a hand to his forehead. He regretted that night. If he'd gone home with Harper that night...if the investors hadn't shown up...if he hadn't been drugged...

Harper quickened her pace, sliding on a pair of sunglasses. For a moment, she had allowed herself to hope that he would change his mind. She'd been willing to give him a chance. All he had to do was fight for her the way she'd fought for him for the past eight years. Instead, he'd chosen the easy way out. It made things easier for her. Now, she had no regrets.

At the moment, she wanted to be anywhere but there. Unlocking her phone, she quickly typed a message to the unknown number from earlier.

[Who are you? If you're telling the truth, I want proofs.]

Her heart rate accelerated as three typing bubbles appeared.

[Fine. I'll send you proof. Only if you're truly ready to go all in.]

Harper's breath caught in her throat. She quickly typed a reply.

[What do you want?]

She swallowed hard as the bubble appeared again. Every second felt like an ominous countdown. And then a reply came.

[I want to ruin the Blackwell family. You'll be shocked by how deeply rotten they are. Are you in?]

Harper clenched her jaw, her grey eyes darkening with resolve. She could still remember the way the accident had left her parents decapitated. She'd waited long enough. She didn't care who their killer could be, and she was more than ready to take them down.

[I'm in]

Once she sent the message, she exhaled. Outside the massive gate of the Blackwell property, a black Cadillac awaited her. A handsome young man in a black suit and gloves opened the door for her with a charming smile.

"Welcome, Ms. Hemsworth. Where to?" He said, and she returned the smile, slipping into the back seat.

"Home."

He smiled, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners. "Your father will be so pleased. You have made the right decision, Harper."