The Heir He lost

Chapter 3

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"What did you say your name is?" I asked again for further clarification."Adrian Kane". He repeated the name, but arrogantly this time.

 Wait, Kane. As in *Kane Global*. The corporate empire that swallowed competitors for breakfast. The man who’d been Ryan's rival for years.

Adrian’s mouth curved.  “I’m your husband now.” Immediately, I felt a blow on my throat. I gripped the silk sheets. Still feeling uneasy from the excess drink I took last night. “You’re insane,” I said. Adrian didn’t react. “That’s possible.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Did you deliberately marry a drunk woman in Vegas?” He turned to face the glass window.“You married me too.”

What exactly was he trying to do? “That is not the defense you think it is.” I snatched the folded document from the mattress with shaky fingers. Marriage certificate. Official. Stamped and legal.

My stomach dropped through the floor. This is not true. I looked back at him. “You cannot possibly expect me to just accept this right.”

“No. “I expect you to think strategically.” That made me pause. I frowned. Adrian walked to the minibar. Poured  himself black coffee. Leaned against the counter like a man who controlled boardrooms,  his composure was deeply offensive.

“Your ex-husband humiliated you,” he said. “Served you divorce papers on your anniversary. Replaced you with a pregnant mistress.” 

I knew I had said a lot last night without even knowing. “Does that explain your actions?"  He took a sip from his glass, then continued. “You’re emotionally compromised.” 

The word came straight to my chest. “That’s a polite way to say my life is in flames.”  He took another slow sip. “But your current situation presents an opportunity.”

There it was.I knew this whole thing was a business strategy. I crossed my arms. “What exactly do you want from me?” Adrian smiled coldly. “No. You remain married to me.”  

It sounded very funny but I loved the sound of it. “For how long, Adrian?” He gave me a flat stare just for a second. “As long as I want.”

I laughed. “You have to be specific.”  Silence stretched between us just for a heartbeat.

“ I can't be specific. But in return, you'll get access to everything Ryan Ashford never intended you to keep.”

I got a bit curious. “What do you mean?” Adrian’s eyes sharpened. “You think divorcing you was the only thing?” A chill crawled down my spine.

“What are you even talking about?”

He stepped closer. “Ryan has been planning your removal for months. His merger negotiations with Cole Holdings have been in progress for nearly six months.”

*Cole.* That's Vanessa’s last name. I swallowed hard. The pieces slammed together. Vanessa's Pregnancy. Ryan's business alliance. Marriage timing. My divorce. Not personal. Practical.

Ryan’s exact words echoed. My chest tightened painfully. “You’re saying…” My voice dropped. “He didn’t just cheat.”

“No.” Adrian’s eyes didn’t waver. “He upgraded strategically.” The cruelty of it stole the air from my lungs. Not because I didn’t suspect it. But because hearing it aloud made it undeniable. 

I wasn’t abandoned for love and heir. I was liquidated for leverage. Something hot and vicious uncoiled in my chest. Anger. Pure. Refined. I laughed once and it was dangerous.

Adrian noticed. “You hate him.” I met his eyes. “No.” My voice was eerily steady. “I’m evolving.”

A flicker of approval crossed his face. Barely visible. Still infuriatingly attractive. I hated that.

“What’s your gain in all of these?” I asked. “Ryan.” One word. Sharp as glass. “He and I have unfinished business.”

“So we want the same thing?"

“Yes.” He answered. I looked at him carefully. This was not my original life plan. But compared to rotting in a dark apartment crying over a man who treated me like a depreciating asset? This was significantly more productive. I stood up. The room spun. Hangover.  But I was still functional. 

“If this is a contract marriage, we establish terms.” Adrian folded his arms. “I’m listening.”

“No touching unless publicly necessary.” His brow lifted. He nodded. “Fine.”

“And if I don't want anymore?...” He dropped the coffee  “Then you  can walk away.” That surprised me. I searched his face for traps. But found only certainty. Like he already knew I wouldn’t leave. Arrogant. Probably accurate. 

I exhaled. Control seeped back into my veins. For the first time since last night, I wasn’t drowning.

Ryan had discarded me. Fine. His mistake. He wanted practicality and Strategics. Excellent. So did I.

I extended my hand. “It's a deal now.” He looked at my hand. Then he shook it. Warm, steady, and intentional. A contract sealed between two damaged people with shared vengeance. Very healthy.

 A wave of dizziness hit me again. Hard. My vision blurred. I dropped his hand and pressed my fingers to my stomach. “What is it?” Adrian asked. “I’m fine.” I lied. The room tilted again. Nausea rose. Sharp and deep. This is not a hangover. It's different and ugly.

I shoved past him and sprinted for the bathroom. I barely made it. Then collapsed beside the porcelain. 

Violent sickness. It was really humbling. Adrian appeared in the doorway. Still maddeningly composed. “You don’t look fine.” He crouched slightly.  “Get dressed. We’re going to the hospital.” I raised my eyebrows. “Absolutely not.”He looked unmoved. A wall in a tailored shirt. “We’re going.”

Thirty minutes later, I sat in a private suite questioning every life choice that led me here. Vegas truly delivered an immersive experience.

A nurse checked me. Drew blood and fired questions. Adrian sat nearby. Scrolling through emails. Like this was a mildly inconvenient scheduling conflict. Monster. 

A doctor entered moments later with a smile. “Mrs. Kane.” The title nearly stopped my heart. I straightened. “Yes?” Her smile widened. “Your symptoms are quite easy to explain.” My pulse spiked.  She glanced at her file. Then back to me. “Congratulations.” The word hung in the air. My body locked immediately.

“Excuse me?” She smiled. “You’re approximately eight weeks pregnant." Absolute silence filled the room. I stared at an empty space. Sure I’d hallucinated. “No.” I turned to look at Adrian. He wasn’t scrolling anymore. For the first time, he looked genuinely concerned.  Which somehow made it worse.

My hands moved to my stomach. Eight weeks.That means two months. My mind immediately connected to the very night Ryan came home, performing just enough normalcy to keep up appearances. 

I totally forgot that something like that had taken place two months ago, because it didn't feel like it all. Oh my God.

This was Ryan’s baby. Ryan divorced me for another pregnant woman. While I was already carrying his child.

The irony was so vicious it felt scripted. A hysterical laugh bubbled up my lips but died instantly. This wasn’t funny. This was a war. 

The doctor kept talking. Prenatal care. Appointments. Vitamins. Words floated past like debris. I heard none of it. Only one question thundered through my skull. *Do I tell him? Or do I let him bleed for it?*

I slowly lifted my eyes to Adrian. He was already watching me. Reading my face like a ledger. His expression was unreadable. 

Then he asked the question hanging like a loaded gun between us. “Does Ryan know?” My throat tightened. My fingers curled over my stomach. And for the first time since last night,I smiled. Because suddenly, this wasn’t just revenge anymore. It was leverage.