chapter 3

Kane’s pov

“I heard them, Jayson.” I tightened my grip around the glass and let out a slow breath. “Every word.” My voice came out calmer than the storm raging inside me, the whiskey was doing its job.

"That evil, conniving bitch is having an affair with Adrian!" Jayson, who had hated Claudia from the day I introduced her to him, cursed aloud.

But he stopped when I turned on the barstool to face him. "I'm sorry, that was out of line." He apologized.

"No." I chuckled bitterly, taking a gulp of whiskey. "That's what she is."

For years, I had cautioned him whenever he disrespected or said anything awful about Claudia. I had defended and loved her blindly. Even when he, and everyone else tried to reveal her true nature, I refused to listen.

My grandmother always said Claudia was just like my gold-digger, Mother. Looks like the family curse finally caught up with me, just like the men in my lineage.

The Ravelios’ aren't meant for love.

"To think I intended to surprise her today," I added, almost to myself. "I left work early, even took a vacation to celebrate our anniversary. That doesn't matter now." A humourless laugh escaped me, as their cruel words echoed in my head.

Fuck!

“I'm sorry man, should I call the others? They would want to know." Jayson asked, his eyes filled with worry.

Jayson, Albert, Ethan, and I have been friends since childhood, attended the same university, and we're close enough to be called brothers.

“No. Not yet.” My response came out harsher than I intended.

The last thing I wanted was for this to be made public. Their wives are Claudia's besties, and they wouldn't be able to keep this secret from them.

It would turn messy so fast. Nothing stays private in our circle. I shuddered at the thought of the tabloids, and the press having a field day over this.

"Alright." Jayson nodded.

Just then my phone buzzed on the table. I didn't answer. I didn't want to be disturbed. But I angrily lifted it when it rang the third time, only for me to see her name flashing across it.

Claudia.

Before I could think of it, I threw the phone across the room and it hit the wall with a sharp crack, the screen going blank.

What else does she want from me?

"I take it that's her." Jayson said quietly, but I didn’t respond.

“I loved her, Jay.” My voice cracked, not bothering to hide the pain that tore me apart from the inside. “I would've given up everything for her. My family, my inheritance… all of it, just to make her happy.”

And she knew it. God… I was a damned fool.

The word 'Infertile’ echoed again in my head. I didn't tell Jason that part because saying it out loud would make it real.

The truth I wasn't ready to accept, that I might never father my own children. While Adrian’s bastard son inherits everything I've worked for.

My ancestors would be so ashamed.

Time passed, and I couldn't tell how much, but I knew it was late as the music in the bar had faded and I was left with my thoughts. At some point, Jayson left the bar and I only noticed when he spoke again.

"It's getting late, you should head home."

Home?

The word sounded foreign to me, Claudia was my home, but not anymore. It was just a house built on lies.

"I'm not going back to that house." I spat, my vision blurring with a mix of rage and alcohol. "Not when all I can think about is strangling Claudia, and that bastard step-brother of mine."

A single, hot tear escaped, but I wiped at it angrily. I won't be reduced to a weakling like Adrian and Claudia wanted.

Fuck!

Jayson looked horrified. He knew me; he knew I was the ‘sensible’ one. Seeing me reduced to this, shocked him.

"I don't want to see your name in the news tomorrow being charged with murder, man. It’s not worth it. Not for her."

He grabbed my shoulder, guiding me toward the VIP elevator. "Go to my suite. Room 1667. It’s already reserved in your name. I’ll send someone up to take care of whatever you need."

"I'm fine." I lied, yanking my arm away and stumbling into the elevator.

The ride up felt like an eternity. When the doors opened, I fumbled with the key card before sliding the card in. It opened with a soft click. But as I stepped inside, I stopped abruptly as a figure shifted on my bed.

At first, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. But then my eyes caught a long strand of hair falling across the white sheet, I knew I wasn't imagining it.

I froze. There was someone in my bed.

It was a woman.

I closed the door slowly behind me, my expression hardening as I walked further into the room. I’d seen it happen before, women cunning their way into VIP suites. To lure, blackmail, and exploit rich men.

"Who the hell are you?" I snarled

The woman bolted upright, her blonde hair flying wildly. She looked too innocent to be caught in such a dreadful act.

My breath hitched, as a strange feeling stirred in me, which was unexpected. But it vanished instantly, drowned out by the memory of Claudia's face.

"You have two seconds to explain yourself," I said, my voice dropping to a low, dangerous tone that brooks no argument. "Or I will make you regret ever stepping into this room.