Saul Jordan

Two weeks had passed since Kim returned to New York. She had spent every day quietly buried in work. The silence was shattered when Lucas walked into the villa. Denise was clinging tightly to his arm, wearing a tight, designer dress that deliberately highlighted her stomach.

"Kimmy.. Lucas started. "We have an event coming up tonight."

Kim didn't even look up from her laptop. "I'm not going anywhere with you."

"You don't have a choice," Lucas snapped, stepping closer while Denise smirked triumphantly behind him. "My elder brother, the one who left for Europe fifteen years ago to study law and build his own firm, is finally moving back to New York. The family is throwing a massive welcome banquet at the Jordan estate tonight."

Lucas leaned down, his eyes narrowing in warning. "My father expects every member of the family there. You are still legally my wife, Kim. You're going to put on a dress, stand by my side, and keep up appearances. Do not cause a scene."

Kim stared at Lucas, feeling nothing but contempt. "Fine," she said softly. "I'll go."

That evening, Kim arrived at the Jordan estate in a backless gown of deep emerald silk. Her hair was elegantly made, exposing the pale line of her neck. She looked drop-dead gorgeous.

When Lucas saw her, his breath hitched. For a second, regret flashed in his eyes, but Denise quickly wrapped her hand around his arm, clearing her throat to draw his attention back. The grand ballroom was packed with New York's elite, political figures, and top corporate investors.

"Attention, everyone!" Rayan Jordan’s authoritative voice echoed through the microphone at the center of the stage. The crowd fell silent. "Tonight, we welcome back the eldest son of the Jordan family. After fifteen years of building his own legal empire in Europe, he has returned home to take his place."

Rayan gestured toward the grand staircase. "My son... Saul Jordan."

A tall, striking man in a bespoke black tuxedo descended the stairs. He radiated power and authority. His sharp cheekbones and piercing gaze commanded the entire room. Kim turned her head casually toward the stage, and her heart instantly stopped beating.The glass of champagne in her hand trembled violently.

“No no no. It couldn't be.”

It was the man from the hotel bar in London. The man who had held her while she sobbed. He wasn't a sympathetic stranger. He was Saul Jordan, Lucas's long-lost elder brother.

Panic seized Kim’s chest. The memory of her drunkenly crying in his arms, kissing him like she was drowning, and giving herself to him completely rushed back in a terrifying wave.

Saul raised his glass to the crowd, his dark eyes sweeping over the room. Before his gaze could land on her, Kim whirled around, ducked behind a towering floral arrangement near the pillars, and tried to shrink into the shadows, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs.

"Hi, dear."

A deep, smooth voice purred right in front of her.

Kim gasped, her eyes flying open in shock as she shrank back.

Standing just inches away from her in the pillars was Saul. Up close, his height was imposing, his presence crackling with a dark, magnetic authority. He looked down at her, his lips curved into a faint smile.

"I believe this belongs to you," Saul said softly.

He reached into his tuxedo pocket and pulled out a small, velvet-lined object. Resting in his palm was the sapphire wedding ring, the Jordan family heirloom she had misplaced in London..

Kim’s mouth opened in shock. Her hands shook violently as she reached out and collected the ring, her fingertips briefly brushing against his warm skin. A sudden, intense jolt ran straight up her arm, bringing back breathless memories of that night in London.

"There you are!"

Lucas’s voice shattered the tension as he rounded the pillars. He looked between the two of them, a surprised expression on his face before a smile forced its way onto his lips.

"Saul, I see you've already met my wife, Kim," Lucas said, reaching out to wrap a possessive, casual arm around Kim’s waist.

Kim went rigid under Lucas's touch, her eyes locking onto Saul's.

Saul’s gaze flicked down to where Lucas’s hand rested on Kim’s waist. For a second, his dark eyes flashed with jealousy..

"Nice to meet you, Kim," Saul said, his voice dripping smoothly. He extended his right hand toward her for a handshake.

Kim stared at his long fingers, the same fingers that had traced every curve of her body just two weeks ago. Reluctantly, her hand rose to meet his.

The moment his fingers wrapped around hers, his grip was firm, warm, and lingering just a second too long. A quiet promise hung in the air between them, completely unnoticed by Lucas.

"Saul! You're back!"

A high-pitched voice interrupted them as Denise glided to them, her hand resting heavily on her visible baby bump. She slipped her other arm around Lucas's remaining side, with a smug, triumphant glance at Kim before turning her dazzling smile onto Saul.

"Lucas and I are so thrilled you finally came home."

Saul slowly withdrew his hand from Kim's, stepping back into the light. His gaze shifted from Denise's stomach, to Lucas's tight posture, and finally back to Kim's pale face 

A slow, lethal smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"And you are?"

"I'm Denise," she replied excitedly. "Director of Fragrance at Orchids Group, and currently carrying Lucas's child."

Saul stared at her for some second. 

"I see," he said softly.

The oppressive weight in the air felt suffocating. Kim couldn't breathe under the gaze of both brothers.

"Excuse me," Kim whispered, stepping back. "I need some fresh air."

Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and hurried toward the poolside.