THE TRUTH ABOUT KC

ANIYA’S POV

I almost canceled the meeting.

By six-thirty the next evening, I had changed my mind three times.

Part of me wanted to know what Corbin knew about KC.

Another part of me didn’t trust Corbin enough to believe anything he said.

He had spent years telling me that everything was fine while our marriage slowly fell apart.

Why should I suddenly believe him now?

Still, if KC’s enemies were watching me because of him, I needed answers.

I arrived at the restaurant ten minutes early.

It was one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city, the kind of place where privacy mattered more than publicity.

Corbin was already waiting.

He stood when he saw me.

For a moment, his expression softened.

“You came.”

“I said I would.”

I sat across from him.

He remained standing for another second before taking his seat.

“You look different.”

I frowned.

“Different how?”

“Confident.”

I almost smiled.

“I’m the same person.”

“No.”

His eyes stayed on me.

“You’re not.”

I didn’t respond.

A waiter approached, but I declined the menu.

“I won’t be staying long.”

Corbin nodded.

“I understand.”

“Then tell me what you know about KC.”

His expression immediately became serious.

“You shouldn’t be working with him.”

“I’ve heard that already.”

“From whom?”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes.”

I stared at him.

“KC himself told me what he is.”

Corbin’s face changed.

“You know?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re still seeing him?”

“I’m working with him.”

“It’s the same thing.”

“No, it isn’t.”

Corbin leaned forward.

“Aniya, you don’t understand the kind of people he deals with.”

“Then explain it.”

He looked around before lowering his voice.

“KC Sterling isn’t just a businessman.”

“I know.”

“He controls several criminal operations.”

“I know.”

“He has enemies in this city.”

“I know.”

Corbin stared at me.

“You knew all of this?”

“Yes.”

He leaned back.

“Then why are you still involved?”

I hesitated.

Because I trusted him.

The thought came immediately, but I didn’t say it.

Instead, I replied, “Because he has treated me with more respect in the last few weeks than you did during the last year of our marriage.”

Corbin’s expression tightened.

“This isn’t about me.”

“It always becomes about you.”

“Aniya.”

“You wanted to tell me something. Tell me.”

He exhaled.

“I’ve done business with KC before.”

My eyes narrowed.

“What kind of business?”

“Entertainment investments.”

“That doesn’t sound illegal.”

“It wasn’t.”

He paused.

“Not officially.”

My stomach tightened.

“What does that mean?”

“KC has connections everywhere. Politicians. CEOs. Security companies. People in the entertainment industry. He can make problems disappear.”

I stared at him.

“Problems?”

“Competitors. Lawsuits. Threats.”

“Are you saying he hurts people?”

Corbin didn’t answer.

I already knew.

“Why did you work with him?”

“Because I needed his investment.”

I shook my head.

“So you knew exactly who he was.”

“I knew enough.”

“And you never told me.”

“You weren’t involved in my business.”

I laughed bitterly.

“I was your wife.”

Corbin looked away.

The irony wasn’t lost on either of us.

He had spent years telling me that I didn’t understand his business.

Now he was warning me about another man’s.

“What happened between you and KC?” I asked.

“Nothing.”

“Then why does he seem to know so much about you?”

Corbin’s expression changed.

I noticed.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re lying.”

He looked at me.

“Aniya, just stay away from him.”

“Why?”

“Because men like KC don’t help people for free.”

I frowned.

“He invested in my company.”

“Exactly.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“He doesn’t make investments because he likes someone’s designs.”

I leaned forward.

“Then why did he invest?”

Corbin’s jaw tightened.

“That’s what you need to find out.”

I stared at him.

He wasn’t giving me an answer.

He was giving me fear.

And I was tired of being afraid.

I stood.

“Is that all?”

“Aniya.”

“What?”

“I know I hurt you.”

I froze.

His voice was quieter now.

“I know what I did at the award show was wrong.”

I turned toward him.

“You didn’t just hurt me at the award show.”

“I know.”

“I gave you years of my life.”

“I know.”

“And you made me feel like I wasn’t enough.”

His eyes lowered.

“I know.”

I swallowed.

“Then why didn’t you say any of this when we were married?”

He looked at me.

“Because I thought you’d always be there.”

The honesty in his voice caught me off guard.

I stared at him.

“I thought you loved me enough to wait.”

I felt tears threatening my eyes.

“That was your mistake.”

I turned to leave.

“Aniya.”

I stopped.

“I still love you.”

I closed my eyes.

For a moment, I remembered the man I married.

The man who once made me feel safe.

Then I remembered the award show.

I turned around.

“You loved having me.”

His expression tightened.

“But you stopped loving me properly.”

He looked like he wanted to respond.

I didn’t give him the chance.

I walked out.

⸻

Outside, I took a deep breath.

The evening air felt cool against my skin.

I pulled out my phone.

There was a message from KC.

KC: Did you meet him?

I stared at the screen.

I hadn’t told him about the meeting.

I typed:

Me: How did you know?

His response came almost immediately.

KC: Because Corbin has been followed since he left his office.

My heart stopped.

I looked around.

Cars passed.

People walked along the sidewalk.

Everything appeared normal.

Another message appeared.

KC: Get into the car.

I looked toward the street.

A black SUV was waiting across from the restaurant.

I walked toward it.

The rear door opened.

KC was inside.

I climbed in.

“You followed me?”

“No.”

“Then how did you know I was here?”

“I didn’t.”

He looked at me.

“Until five minutes ago.”

I sat beside him.

“What happened?”

“Someone followed Corbin here.”

My stomach dropped.

“Who?”

“We don’t know.”

KC looked toward the window.

“But they weren’t interested in Corbin.”

I swallowed.

“Then who were they interested in?”

He turned toward me.

“You.”

I stared at him.

“What?”

“They waited until you left the restaurant.”

His expression was calm, but his eyes were cold.

“They were following you.”

My heart began pounding.

“KC…”

He reached for my hand.

His fingers closed around mine.

“Don’t be afraid.”

I looked at our hands.

His grip was warm and steady.

“I don’t know how to do that anymore.”

His expression softened.

“Then let me be afraid for you.”

I looked up at him.

For several seconds, neither of us spoke.

Then his phone rang.

He answered.

“Talk.”

A pause.

His expression changed.

“Are you sure?”

Another pause.

“Find him.”

He ended the call.

I watched him.

“What happened?”

KC looked at me.

“We found the man who has been following you.”

My heart raced.

“Who is he?”

KC’s jaw tightened.

“He works for someone I know.”

“Who?”

He hesitated.

Then he said the name.

“Corbin Vale.”

I stared at him.

Everything inside me went still.

“That doesn’t make sense.”

“I know.”

“Corbin wouldn’t do that.”

“You’re defending him?”

“No.”

I shook my head.

“I’m saying he wouldn’t.”

KC watched me carefully.

“Then there’s only one way to find out.”

“How?”

He looked toward the window.

“We ask him.”

My phone began ringing.

Corbin.

I stared at the screen.

KC’s eyes dropped to it.

“Answer.”

I hesitated.

Then I accepted the call.

“Hello?”

Corbin’s voice came through.

“Aniya, where are you?”

I looked at KC.

Then back at the phone.

“Why?”

There was a pause.

Then Corbin said something that made my blood run cold.

“Because whoever is following you isn’t working for me.”

I froze.

“Then who are they working for?”

Corbin’s voice dropped.

“I don’t know.”

Another pause.

“But I think they’re connected to the people who tried to kill KC Sterling last year.”

I looked at KC.

His face had gone completely still.

And for the first time, I realized this wasn’t just about my divorce anymore.

I was standing in the middle of a war I didn’t understand.

And somehow, I had become the person both sides were willing to fight over.