Chapter 3

As Kayden strode away, he could feel their gazes locked onto him, burning with curiosity and judgment. Even though he realized that they were all watching him, he understood all too well that the looks aimed his way held no warmth, only indifference. 

He had lived through it for 27 years, and he knew he was the abomination that shouldn't have existed in the Hunt family.

Old Master Hunt turned to his son and said, “Come, let's find somewhere private and listen to the contents.”

“Father, please let me also be present; they are both my sons. Please don't leave me out of this,” Mrs. Audrey said.

The old master hesitated for a brief moment before giving his permission.

“Fine, you can come too.”

The family gathered in Dr. Williams's office, and the old master nodded to Robert to play the recording.

“Brother,” Jayden's voice came through the recording pen and filled the room.

The twins’ voices were similar, yet each carried its own distinct tone. One could detect the cheeriness within Jayden's voice and the aloofness within Kayden’s voice. 

Just listening to the sound of their voices would tell you Jayden grew up in an environment full of love and pampering while Kayden grew up isolated and rarely spoke, making his voice lack emotion and causing him to sound stiff.

“Say what you need to say; you don't need to hug me,” Kayden said robotically. 

~~~ 

Earlier that day… 

Kayden received a call from Jayden, who wanted them to talk about something important. He had wanted to decline the invitation at first, but because it would be best to know what was on his brother's mind, he decided to go anyway.

Kayden had just gotten to the door of the private room and was about to knock when he heard Jayden's voice.

“I'll try and keep him here with me as long as I can. Get the job done right away. You only have 10 minutes, and make sure to do a clean job and don't leave any traces,” Jayden said to someone on the phone.

Kayden couldn't help but feel he was the subject of discussion, and knowing his brother might be up to something, he decided to record their conversation. He planned to use it later in case his suspicions were right.

Wanting to catch his brother off guard, he didn't even knock again and directly pushed the door open. Jayden's eyes flashed with panic for just a brief moment before they returned to their usual playfulness.

“Brother,” Jayden called out and stood up from his chair, trying to hug him.

Kayden raised his hands to stop the gesture and said,

“Say what you want to say; you don't need to hug me.”

“You are no fun,” Jayden said in a playful tone, trying to ease up the tense atmosphere and added.

“I know it's too late for what I’m about to say."

Jayden's gaze looked remorseful, and he watched Kayden as if he was hesitating. A long silence stretched between them before he finally spoke.

"I'm sorry… Back then, I shouldn't have made you take the blame for me; I shouldn't have stolen your woman too. Grandfather wants you to become the new CEO of Hunt Corporation, and I think you deserve it. You are the best candidate after all.”

“Why are you telling me this? Jayden, why should I believe you? Do you think I don't know you tried to kill me in prison? And now what kind of soap opera are you playing?” Kayden growled; his voice was low but full of coldness.

“Brother, I would never do that…”

“Oh, don't ‘brother' me, Jayden. I have evidence, and the prison guard is willing to testify, so don't think I'd be fooled by your fake remorse,” Kayden cut him off.

“I'm sorry… I really am, please believe me," Jayden said with feigned sincerity and added,

"I admit I must have been crazy for a moment there and wanted to get rid of you, but I changed my mind later… See, no one came after you since that one time, right?”

“That's because I got myself allies to protect me in prison; even if you had tried again, your lackeys would have reported to you I was untouchable,” Kayden spat.

“Kayden, believe me, I'm truly sorry for everything that happened. Look, I'm setting Aria free,” Jayden said and brought out the divorce papers with his signature.

"You're divorcing her?" Kayden's voice was even colder, masking his surprise.

“Grandfather wants me to go to Africa and reflect on what I did, and I think he's right. But I can't take Aria with me, so please, I'll leave her in your care. Please take care of her,” Jayden said.

“What do you see her as? An object to be passed around between us? You knew she was the only light in my dark world, but you manipulated her and took her away from me, and now what? You want to return her to me? What the hell is wrong with you, man?” Kayden growled, the anger in his voice palpable.

“Kayden, Brother, I'm sorry, okay, what do you want me to do? Going to Africa without any connection from the Hunt family would be difficult; I don't think Aria would be comfortable with such a life,” Jayden said.

“Then you never knew her; if she chose you, then she would stick with you, for better or for worse. Now, if you have nothing else to say, I'll be on my way,” Kayden said and walked out without looking back.

'He didn't need Aria; she was the bane of his existence. She and Jayden deserve each other,' Kayden told himself. 

~~~ 

The recording finished playing, and everyone stared at each other in deep thought after hearing the contents of the conversation.

Old Master Hunt and his son, Austin Hunt, looked at each other, and a silent message passed through their eyes.

“Jayden did not mean what he said to his brother.”

Before the two brothers met, Jayden had been with them in the main family mansion, and his actions and words were totally different from his “supposed” remorseful speech with his brother. 

~~~ 

Before the brothers met, Old Master Hunt’s study… 

“Your crimes keep piling up, and I'm not going to keep covering up for you and allow you to destroy our family legacy. Don't you dare go to the headquarters again; your brother is now the new CEO; go to Africa and reflect on yourself; I'll summon you back when the news blows over,” Old Master Hunt said, his voice stern but full of heartache.

“Father, talk to Grandfather; he is kicking me out of the Hunt family because he wants to replace me with that bastard. He is the cursed one; he's the one with the doom prophecy; why can't you make him take my place in front of the council to appease them? That is what he was born for,” Jayden said unreasonably, turning to his father to intercede for him, and the old master’s eyes darkened.

“I'm still your elder and the head of the Hunt family; watch what you say, and my decision is final!” Old Master Hunt snarled, exuding a powerful aura despite his old age, and Jayden unwillingly kept quiet, but he was inwardly plotting his next move in his mind.

“But grandfather, your punishment is too severe. How can I stay in Africa like any normal rich kid just because I killed that bastard? Besides, we're the Hunt family; we're the ones they must bow to. That illegitimate son of the Smith family was messing with my girl. I was just teaching him a lesson; who knew he was so weak, and he died just like that?” Jayden said righteously.

“Firstly, you were messing around when you were a married man; Kayden stayed in prison for three years for you. He lost three years of his life paying for a murder he didn't commit. For fuck's sake, he just got out of prison, but you want him to experience something even worse than prison because of your selfishness? When did you become such a monster that you are willing to sacrifice your blood brother without even batting an eye?” Mr. Austin Hunt spoke for the first time during the family meeting.

“I blame your mother for making you think you can do whatever you want and get away with it. Thanks to you, the pact that is keeping the four great families of New York in check is hanging by a thread, but since you're still unrepentant about your actions, you are on your own. You did this yourself and you must be accountable for your actions,” Mr. Austin added before turning to his father.

“Father, I'm sorry for raising such a disgrace. I will not interfere; you can send him away.”

“Jayden, make preparations; you must leave Manhattan in three days. You should leave before the next meeting between the four family heads. I'll tell Robert to help you with everything you need for your trip. Take it as a vacation and reflect on yourself,” Old Master Hunt said.

“Why are you all not listening to me? I already said I don't want to leave New York, and you can't force me!” Jayden snarled and walked out of the study room, loudly banging the door after him.