Chapter 25: Sweat

••~~CORIAN~~••

Driving through LA traffic, my head was buzzing.

She’s in my room. In my bed. And I can’t even think without thinking about her.

My escort.

That mouth. That scar. That name…. Bernie.

I should’ve stayed home. Laid between her legs. Found new ways to make her forget the world outside my walls. Teach her new lessons, show her just how much darker my world can get.

But here I was…. pulling into Harvey’s firm dark glasses on, jaw clenched like I could snap a tooth.

Harvey was already on the steps, pacing with a phone in hand,

I climbed out of the car, slamming the door a little harder than I wanted to.

“She inside?" I asked, climbing the steps two at a time.

He nodded, not looking too thrilled.. “Already yelling at the receptionist.”

I scoffed, “Classic Victoria.”

The doors flew open, and there she was. Perfect. Manicured. Pissed.

She turned toward me and her face melted into that plastic smile she uses to control every damn room she walks into.

“Corian,” she purred. “I see you still know how to steal attention.”

Only Victoria would show up to her divorce dressed like it’s a red carpet event and she’s the perfect run way blonde, then pretend she’s the one being left behind.

“Let’s just sign this shit and get it over with.”

She tilted her head, lips twitching like she was fighting the urge to throw something.

This was her circus. Her rules. Her game. She’s the one who wanted the divorce. And now she’s dragging her heels? I was done playing.

“This shouldn’t take much time, we met all your demands Victoria.” Harvey went right in.

We stepped into the conference room. I sat, papers already laid out. I didn’t waste any time. I signed every line.

" You are in such a hurry to get rid of me,”

I didn’t even look up. “This is what you wanted Victoria. The feeling is mutual.”

And just before the last signature, she leaned in. “On second thoughts,” she whispered.

My pen froze mid-stroke.

“I haven’t gotten everything I want,” she added, sickly sweet.

I sat back slowly, jaw grinding.

Harvey straightened. “What the fuck now, Victoria!”

Of course.

Victoria always wanted what I couldn’t give.

Love.

That fucked-up illusion that someone could revolve around you forever, no rules, no conditions, no leash. Just blind, messy love.

And when I wouldn’t give it, she tried to manipulate it out of me.

Thought if she twisted the story enough, I’d forget who the hell I was.

But I never lied to her. I told her from jump…. I don’t love. I don’t have that muscle. Whatever heart I had died a long time ago.

She refused to believe me. Thought she could shape me into the fantasy she painted in her head.

And when she failed?

She turned herself into a full-time nightmare.

Even dragged my son into it.

Now here she was… eyes gleaming with some new level of poison.

“I want the house. Your little cave, Corian.”

I blinked. Deadpan.

Was she serious?

She knows how much I love that space. She’s trying to cut deep now.

“You must be joking.”

“That’s what I want. No, that’s what I deserve.”

“I’ve given you everything else you asked for. The estates. Enough money to cover all your frivolities even if you lived forever. I even let you run my damn company and you want to play this game?”

She leaned back in the chair, calm as hell. “No, Corian. I wanted you to love me. I wanted to be the center of your world.”

My hands clenched the armrests. Tight. “I never promised that. You knew who I was.”

Her face twitched. She wasn’t done. “Oh, and what about Alicia? Did she know too?”

I snapped. Slammed my palm down hard on the table. “Don’t bring her up.”

Alicia.

Alicia is a spot I fucking hate ever touching and she knows that. Might as well stick a knife in me.

“I’ll never forgive you for what you did to her.”

I leaned forward, voice shaking, gritting. “It wasn’t my fault, and you know it! You just needed someone to blame, so you made it me. You even turned my son against me….”

Her lip curled. “You did that all on your own. Never showing up. Always hiding behind your work.”

I ran a hand through my hair, breathing hard. “I’m no saint, Victoria. But we both know you’ve been spinning stories and twisting the truth for years. And we have been separated for two years now. This shit between us has been over a very long time ago."

She stood, pointing a finger in my face. “All you had to do was love me!”

I stood too. Chair screeching back. “And I was always clear…. I never had a heart to give!”

Her voice cracked. “And fucking your therapist? Were you clear about that too?”

I stared at her. Blank. Done.

“Don’t even,” I rasped. “I know about you and Vance. Don’t play victim.”

“Doesn’t even matter. Your days are numbered anyway. You’ll be gone soon. And your son and I will finally have the peace we deserve once you are cold in the grave.” She flexed her manicured fingers, leaning back with a smug grin. “So tell me, Corian…. how many days do you have left?”

I clenched my fists, took a step back. Swallowed the lump burning my throat.

“Aren’t you just glowing with joy. Congratulations. I don’t expect you to shed a tear for me. You win. Now let it go.”

“No. I want your house.” She crossed her arms, set and unmoving.

I tilted my head. “You really want to play this game, Victoria?”

She nodded. “Yes. Because for once, I have something you don’t… all the time in the world.” She dragged the last words sticking each one in my face.

My body was failing me and it’s her new weapon.

I never should have told her about my condition, but I simply needed her to be prepared. Needed my son to be prepared.

I stepped back, buttoned my jacket slow. My face was stone.

“You think I’m weak now, Victoria?”

I leaned in just enough. “I’m Corian fucking Van Halen. I am never weak.” I slapped the pen, back on the table. “You want war? You’ll get it. I’m going to strip you of every last penny. Watch me.”

I stormed out, furious, breath heavy, blood boiling and I could hear her laughter breach through the walls.

Harvey scrambled behind me. “I’m sorry, Corian. I really thought she’d be reasonable this time.”

I shook my head, laughing bitterly. “Fuck. I should’ve known better. She’s never been reasonable a day in her life.”

“What now?” Harvey shrugged.

“Oh, she wants to sweat?” I growled. “Let’s make her sweat. Every deal we had on the table? Burn it. I want that divorce, Harvey. And I don’t give a damn how.”

He nodded, panting a little to keep up with my pace.. “You got it.”

I reached the car, yanked the door open.

“Take it easy, Corian,” Harvey huffed. “Don’t let her get under your skin.”

I stopped, one hand on the roof. “She’s already in the damn marrow.”

Then I muttered under my breath, “Let’s just hope Maddison hasn’t figured out how to break out of my house.” I still have the twitch that after that lesson she’d run scared.

Harvey raised a brow. “Maddison…?”

Shit. Did I say that out loud?

His face cracked into a grin. “Maddison, huh? That’s what you’ve been taking time off for?”

I slipped into the seat and shut the door. “Bye, Harvey.”

He knocked the window. “Oh come on, don’t leave me hanging, brother….”

But I was already gone.