Chapter 4

I went to the kitchen and started spreading butter on some bread as Dani handed me a cup of coffee, but my ears were with them—Rhett was finally giving Brant a piece of his mind.

“That innocent woman isn’t leaving. If you’ve got a freaking problem, then you should be the one to leave. Do you even spend time in this mansion? You do nothing—don’t help with the company, don’t contribute at all. You’ve removed yourself from everything, and now you think you have the right to give orders? I’m not just your brother—I’m your damn Alpha. Unless you want to go rogue and be with those people you call family...”

I heard the bang of the table and then footsteps storming off.

Rhett shouted after him, “She’s not yours to manhandle! She’s here as part of my recovery, and she doesn’t answer to you!”

'Why would that stupid man hurt our man and make him leave?' Selene said, annoyed.

“Didn’t you hear what he said? He wants to throw us out, Selene—and we haven’t even done what we came here to do. We haven’t even figured out how to get close to those brothers.”

'I would’ve said seduction,' she replied, 'but that would be betraying our man.'

“Who’s our man?” I asked, taking a bite of bread and sipping my coffee.

'Brant Paxton,' she said matter-of-factly.

“He’s our enemy. We’re going to hurt him so badly he won’t even remember his name when we’re done. So remember that. And don’t you dare pull what you did yesterday again. Now he thinks I’m some kind of slut or something,” I scolded.

“Sable...” I heard Dani call, and I turned around.

“Rhett wants his fruit once he finishes his breakfast in the backyard,” she said.

“Sure,” I replied, then got to work. I sliced up some fresh fruit and carried the bowl out to the backyard.

It was still breathtaking, with flowers in full bloom and their fragrance hanging in the air like a painted frame. The scent was sweet on the morning breeze. The swimming pool sparkled like liquid crystal, as clear as glass under the sun—its water so blue and transparent, it looked like melted sky.

Surrounding it were beach chairs with soft cushions, shaded by large cream-colored umbrellas. A few had rolled towels resting on them, as if waiting for someone to sink in and relax. A wooden deck stretched out near the edge, with lounge chairs and small side tables—perfect for sunbathing or sipping something cool in the heat.

I spotted Rhett under the wooden pergola, draped with climbing vines and sheer white fabric. He was in his wheelchair, iPad in hand, reading glasses resting on his nose. He must be having the time of his life in that wheelchair—or was the show just for me?

I walked over, placed the fruit bowl gently on the table in front of him, and sat in a rattan chair beside him.

He glanced up and gave me a small smile before returning to his screen.

I turned my gaze to the pool—and saw Brant walking toward it wearing only swim shorts.

'Look at those muscles and tattoos,' Selene said, her voice almost dreamy.

He dove smoothly into the pool, his body slicing through the water like he belonged there. He moved fast—like a fish. He’d always loved swimming. Back in school, he was on the swim team, competing in countless competitions. He didn’t just compete—he won. Over and over again.

Dad and Mum were always there, always so proud, cheering the loudest from the stands—especially Mum. She made sure we all came to every meet, always front row, cheering him on with everything she had.

'Does he even have a scar… or any flaws? He's perfect in every way,' Selene said wistfully.

“I’ll be his scar, Selene. Just wait and see,” I promised, eyes locked on him.

Because I knew—somewhere beneath that polished surface—he wasn’t as perfect as he looked. And I was going to find his weakness. And use it.

“I love the way you cut the fruit. It reminds me of someone,” Rhett said suddenly, his voice pulling me back to the moment.

“Who, sir?” I asked, though I already knew the answer. It had to be my mother. This was exactly how she used to prepare our fruit—neat, delicate, and thoughtful.

Brant walked over to us, a smug look playing on his lips, and I caught sight of the dimple on his left cheek. I remembered how girls used to go wild over that damn dimple.

He sat down, picked up a piece of fruit, and popped it into his mouth, still wearing that arrogant expression as he looked between Rhett and me.

“Can I just say—you two look so amazing together,” he said.

“You look like an idiot,” I replied with a smile.

Both men looked at me, surprised. Rhett chuckled first, then burst into full laughter. Brant, on the other hand, looked pissed. I tilted my head slightly and met his glare with a smug smile of my own.

“Mr. Brant Paxton? Can I call you 'Mister'?” I asked, my tone sweet but clearly teasing, poking at his pride.

If I was going to get Rhett and Joss’s attention, I had to play the good girl. But with Brant? I needed to be the thorn in his side—the ant in his pants. That’s how I’d keep the spotlight exactly where I wanted it.

That’s when they’d all start noticing me.

He stayed silent, glaring, waiting—so I kept going.

“You should really try sympathizing with your brother. Even though he’s in a wheelchair, he’s still doing everything he can to keep the company running—your legacy. He just got back from the hospital yesterday, and if I’m not mistaken, you didn’t even visit him once. Did you?”

Rhett looked genuinely impressed, while Brant’s expression remained unreadable. But I could feel the storm building behind those hazel eyes.

“Shouldn’t you at least help him, instead of being a thorn in his— Kit is still in university, Joss is doing what he can, and you? What are you doing...?”

“Well, Miss—”

“Knox,” I interrupted sharply, giving him my biological name. When they threw us out of their precious mansion, I stopped using the Paxton name. Went back to my biological father’s surname. I wasn’t their girl anymore.

You see, before Mum married Mr. Paxton, I used my mother's surname. Then I took on the Paxton name. But now, I go by Knox again—my biological father’s name.

“Miss Knox… it’s not your fucking business,” he snapped. “With all due respect, you don’t get to walk into this house and think you can change everything—portraying yourself as some innocent savior when you’re nothing but a fake.”

My stomach dropped, and my skin turned cold. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t form words, couldn’t look him in the eye—though I knew the smug, defiant look that would be there if I did. Did he know? No… he couldn’t.

“I don’t trust you,” he said flatly, then stood up and walked away.

“Don’t worry about him,” Rhett said, reaching for another slice of fruit and going back to his iPad like nothing had happened.

I followed him as he picked up the towel hanging by the pool. He walked toward the entrance leading inside.

“Wait!” I called out as he stepped into the foyer.

He paused, and I caught up, standing in front of him just as he wrapped the towel around his waist.

“You know, ever since I saw you, you've been... towel-obsessed. Always shirtless.”

He arched a brow, smug. “Do you prefer me naked? Want to give me that blowjob now?”

“Listen—yesterday wasn’t what you think. I don’t know what came over me.”

'Why are you ruining it? It’s what we want,' Selene said. I ignored her and pushed on.

“That’s not who I am. I’m here to take care of your brother, and that’s all this is—until he gets better.”

He stepped closer, and instinctively, I backed up—only to find myself pressed against the wall as he caged me in with his arms again, heat rolling off him in waves.

'Can you feel the heat?' Selene purred.

Brant tilted his head, his lips hovering over mine—so close, even a breath could close the distance. I wanted to close that gap. Desperately. My heart pounded so hard against my ribs it felt like it might break free. In that moment, it wasn’t just his lips I was drawn to—it was the gravity of him, pulling every part of me in.

I stared into those hazel eyes—dangerously unreadable, heartbreakingly familiar.

“Nah... you’re not my type,” he said flatly, and turned away.

I breathed hard, anger and humiliation burning under my skin. But I didn’t move.

“I will make you fall in love with me, Brant Paxton. I’ll make you want no other woman in this world but me. And when I’m done, you won’t be able to live without me.”

He stopped. It took him a few seconds before he turned back. “Miss Knox... I don’t fall in love with cheap whores like you,” he spat.

His words hit hard, even though I knew they were nothing more than ignorance—harsh assumptions, not truth. But they still stung.

“We’ll see,” I muttered.

“I won’t see anything,” he said. “But you? You’ll learn the hard way. I’m not the kind of man you can get.”

He turned and left me standing there, my back still against the wall.

I bit my lip to stop the tears threatening to fall. But it was too late—my heart was already cracking open. And in that silence, she came rushing back to me.

Jessica.

It had been years, but my sister would always be in my heart. She was my reason. She was why I was here. And Brant... Brant Paxton would pay for what he did.

Her voice echoed in my mind, fresh and raw like it was just yesterday.

'I know it’s wrong... but I love him. We love each other, Sis. Brant and I—we love each other. But I’m... I’m pregnant. I’m pregnant,' Jessica had sobbed into my shoulder the night they threw us out, when we fled to our childhood home—lost and broken.

I held her as she broke, and in that moment, I made myself a vow: Brant Paxton will pay for his sins. And I would make sure of it.

Dani saw me, her face creased with concern. “Are you all right?” she asked gently.

“Yeah, I'm fine,” I said, wiping my cheeks. “It’s just the wind.”