Shocking News

XAVIER’S POV

“Siri, call my wife.”

My phone lit up instantly, the familiar tone cutting through the quiet office as it dialled her number.

My wife.

The word still felt new… but not wrong in the way it used to when she still belonged to that asshole I call my brother.

It had been two weeks since Aria signed those papers. Two weeks since she moved into my penthouse. Two long weeks of her sleeping behind a different door… keeping her distance like I was someone she needed protection from.

And two weeks since I sent her that video that ended her marriage.

I leaned back in my chair, staring at nothing as the line rang.

To her, it must feel like a curse. Like her life was torn apart overnight.

But to me? Marrying the woman I had wanted for years felt like a blessing. If only she could get it out of her head that I only wanted her for a child.

“Hello?”

Her soft voice came through, and something in me eased instantly.

“Hi, Xavier. Are you there?”

“Sir.”

I looked up sharply as my assistant appeared at the door, already speaking before I could stop him.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but your father called. He said he couldn’t reach you.”

My gaze dropped back to my phone.

The line had gone dead. She hung up.

I dropped the phone onto the desk harder than necessary, irritation flaring in my chest.

“The next time you walk into my office without knocking,” I said coldly, pointing at him, “I’ll have you replaced before you finish your sentence.”

He stiffened. “I’m sorry, sir.”

“Now, why are you here?”

“The family dinner, sir. You’re five minutes late.”

I checked my watch. “Fuck.”

I stood and grabbed my phone. “Tell the driver to get the car ready. I’ll be down in a minute.”

“Yes, sir.”

He left quickly, shutting the door behind him.

If only she had stayed on the line a little longer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By the time I arrived at my father’s mansion, it was already late.

The first thing I noticed was Dean’s car parked in the garage.

Of course that piece of shit was here.

I walked inside without slowing, barely sparing my step mother, Allison, a glance as I passed her.

She scoffed loudly. “How can you be this late and still walk in with an attitude?”

I stopped mid-step, turning just enough to look at her.

“You’ve been married into this family for years, Allison,” I said flatly. “Either get used to it… or file for a divorce and leave.”

Her lips parted, but nothing came out.

I didn’t wait for a response.

“Look who finally remembered he has a family,” Dean’s voice echoed the moment I stepped into the dining room.

It took everything in me not to put a bullet through his brains.

I loosened my jacket and took my seat across from my father. “Shut the fuck up and eat your food, Dean. Since it’s the only thing you’re good at.”

His hand slammed against the table, but our father didn’t even look at him.

“Sit your ass down.” Our father, Victor, ordered.

Dean clenched his jaw and obeyed.

Then Victor turned to me, his expression hard. “For someone who chose to be late, the least you can do is not cause a scene. We have a guest.”

“A guest?” I leaned back slightly, scanning the table… then froze.

Isabella.

Aria’s cousin sat beside Dean… close enough to make my stomach turn.

My gaze snapped back to Victor. “Why is she here instead of Aria?”

I already knew Aria wouldn’t be here. But Isabella sitting in her place?

What the hell was Dean playing at?

Before anyone could answer, Allison walked in and took her seat.

Dean suddenly straightened, a grin spreading across his face.

“We have something to tell you guys.”

I don't like that tone. That grin alone was enough to set me off.

With us, it had always been simple… if one of us was happy, the other was about to suffer.

He reached for Isabella’s hand, intertwining their fingers.

“We’re expecting a baby.”

For a second, I thought I misheard him.

The wine in my mouth burned down my throat as I coughed.

“What?” my father asked sharply.

“You’re expecting a child with your wife’s cousin?” I asked, even though I already knew he had divorced Aria.

Dean smirked. “You mean Ex-wife.”

“Ex-wife?” Allison repeated, confused. “What do you mean?”

I leaned back slightly, masking my reaction. “You divorced Aria?”

“Yes,” he said proudly. “Two weeks ago. I found out she can’t have children. She’s been lying to me for years.”

My grip tightened around the glass.

This bastard.

Aria went through this for years?

“See?” Allison said, walking over to Isabella and placing a hand on her stomach with a satisfied smile. “I knew my son wasn’t the problem.”

My jaw clenched painfully.

“If she couldn’t give you a child, then she had no place in this family,” she continued. “Now my son can finally claim what’s his.”

My father cut in. “Don’t you think it’s too early to celebrate? She still has to give birth to the child.”

Allison scoffed. “We all know Xavier isn’t bringing anyone home anytime soon. He’s too cold for that.”

The audacity.

Victor turned back to them. “Congratulations.”

What the fuck did I just heard?

“Dad, that’s all you have to say?” I asked, disbelief creeping into my voice. “After everything Aria went through in that marriage?”

“She couldn’t give him a child,” he replied simply. “What good is that to this family? Either be happy for them… or get married and give me a grandchild yourself.”

A bitter laugh almost escaped me.

My twin is also his son and the rightful heir to Weston Group. Yet he gave the same man who killed him a chance to inherit his wealth.

Now Dean will have a child and have it all?

Not happening. I'll burn everything to the ground if I have to.

I stood abruptly, grabbing my phone. “Excuse me. I have somewhere to be.”

Victor turned to me. “You’re leaving?

We haven’t even discussed the company anniversary yet.”

“It’s handled,” I replied. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I walked out without another word.

The moment I got outside, I called Aria.

No answer.

“Get out,” I told the driver, opening the door.

He blinked. “Sir?”

“You heard me, Rafael.”

He wasted no time in stepping out when he saw the look on my face.

I got in and slammed the door, dialing another number.

Ian picked up almost immediately, his breathing uneven. “Nice of you to remember I exist, brother.”

I frowned. “Are you having sex right now?”

A low chuckle came through. “Maybe.”

I rubbed my temple. “Is the phone on speaker?”

“Yes. But my mouth is about to get busy, Xavier. Can we talk later?”

I exhaled slowly, irritation rising again.

“Listen to me dude. Whoever the fuck you are, I'd advise you to get my brother's dick out of your stinking ass before I make sure it's the last one you enjoy.”

There was shuffling on the other end.

Then silence.

“What’s wrong with you?” Ian snapped. “I was about to finish.”

“What’s wrong with me?” I shot back. “Ian, you’re supposed to be dead. What happens when this one finds out who you really are? You’ll kill him too?”

He sighed. “Relax. I will clean up my mess if it comes to that.”

“You better. And keep your fucking dick in your pants while at it.”

Ian chuckled. “Now tell me why you called.”

So I told my twin everything that happened during dinner.

He went quiet for a full minute.

Then laughed bitterly. “You’re lying.”

“I’m not.”

“He can’t… that fast?”

“He announced it in front of everyone. Dean’s a lot of things, but he wouldn’t lie to dad.”

Another pause.

“Alright,” Ian said finally. “I’ll figure something out before the end of the anniversary.”

Of course he would.

Ian always has a solution to every problem.

“Does Aria know?” he asked.

I frowned. “That her ex-husband got her cousin pregnant?”

“No, dummy.” Ian replied.

“That she married both of us by signing those papers.”