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I CHAPTER 1: THE CALL Reign blinked at the sterile white ceiling of her hospital room, her mouth dry, her body heavy and stiff from the long hour of sleep. Two days ago, she had woken up in the middle of the night with pain so sharp it had stolen her breath. The incision site from her appendectomy, done two weeks prior, had felt like it was tearing open from the inside. Terrified, Reign had called her mother first. It's just an appendix, Reign. Stop being dramatic. Those had been Miranda's exact words, delivered over the phone with the kind of frustration usually reserved for children throwing tantrums. Never mind that Reign was twenty-four years old, alone in her apartment at 3 AM, clutching her side and trying not to cry. But thankfully, the doctor had examined her and assured her it was nothing serious. The stitches were intact. She just needed to rest and avoid straining herself. And that is exactly what she had been doing since then. Resting. Reign shifted slightly, trying to find a more comfortable position, but stopped when her phone buzzed on the bedside table. She reached for it automatically, thinking it was a man, but the screen showed Faeth's contact photo instead: her best friend grinning maniacally at the camera, tongue out, peace signs up. Swallowing down her disappointment, she swiped to answer, her voice still rough from disuse. "Hey." "You won't believe what I just found out," Faeth screamed into the phone, her voice sounding breathless. "Faeth, I literally just woke up from…" "Uncle Ash has a girlfriend." Reign sat up so fast that white-hot pain pierced through her abdomen, stealing her breath. How does? How did she know? We were so careful... "I mean, it would've been fine if it weren't for who it is," Faeth continued, oblivious to Reign's internal panic. "But of course it had to be that sl'utty, obnoxious b*tch..." "What?" Reign frowned, clearly confused now. "What are you talking about?" "Ugh!" Faeth huffed, and Reign could picture her exactly: flopping dramatically onto one of the deep-cushioned settees in her house. "So I went to Uncle Asher's place this morning and walked in on the most terrifying butt-gripping scene ever. I found a n8ked woman on top of my n8ked uncle." Faeth rushed out, and Reign's blood went cold. "What?" "I know, right! I literally screamed. And you know what the worst part is?" Faeth's voice climbed higher. "It was Kora." The name hit like a physical blow. Reign blinked once, then twice. Kora. Kora Hayes. My stepsister? "No." She whispered, more to herself. "I wish I were making this up, Rey. Trust me, I would give anything to unsee what I saw. But nope. There she was, stark n8ked, straddling my uncle. And the worst part? She smirked at me. Like she wanted me to see. Can you believe that?" Reign's hand trembled against the phone as her brain automatically started picturing Faeth's description. This wasn't real. It couldn't be real. "Faeth," Reign managed. "Are you sure?" "I'm switching to video. You need to see this." Faeth's face filled the screen in an instant, then she flipped the camera. And there, strutting toward a waiting car, was Kora. Reign would have recognised that walk anywhere. Everyone would have. Kora Hayes, influencer extraordinaire, had made that specific strut her trademark: hips swaying with exaggerated precision, shoulders back, chin high. It looked unnatural, like she was forcing her joints to move in ways they weren't designed for, but somehow the fashion world had eaten it up. #KoraWalk. Her followers called it. But that wasn't what made Reign's heart stop. It was the man following behind her. Asher. Tall, dark-haired, wearing nothing but beach shorts and a sleeveless tank top. He caught up to Kora on the sidewalk. They turned to face each other. Reign couldn't hear what they were saying, but she didn't need to. She could see everything. Kora, with the wind tossing her blonde hair, leaned in and kissed him. It wasn’t a quick peck. It was a long and intimate kiss. And the worst part? He didn't pull away. "Ewww, oh my god." Faeth flipped the camera back, her expression nauseated. "I cannot watch this. Your stepsister is literally making out with my uncle, and I might actually throw up. I can't believe he'd stoop so low as to date someone like Kora." Reign couldn't speak. Her throat had closed, and her chest felt too tight. "I mean, their age gap!" Faeth continued. "It's like him dating me. It's disgusting. Ugh!" Faeth shuddered. "I need to bleach my brain. How am I supposed to look at him now? Especially her... ugh!" Reign didn't realize she was gripping her phone so tightly that her knuckles had gone white. Or that her incision was throbbing from the tension in her body. Asher and Kora? That just didn't make sense. Asher hated Kora. That fact was palpable. He had called her vapid, shallow, narcissistic. Even his attitude toward Kora showed it. He never hid it, and neither did she. Had he been lying? Had they been playing enemies in public while playing lovers under the blanket? "Rey? Reign, are you even listening to me?" The door swung open, and a nurse stepped in, her expression faltering when she saw Reign sitting rigid in bed. "Miss Sutton, you really shouldn't be sitting like that," the nurse said, moving quickly to her side. "You'll strain your incision." "I'm fine." Reign's voice came out flat. But when she tried to ease back down, pain exploded through her abdomen like fire. She gasped, her free hand flying to her side. "Easy, easy," the nurse murmured, supporting Reign's shoulders. "Your surgery was two weeks ago, but the site is still healing. Sitting up like that puts pressure on the stitches." "Reign!" Faeth's face filled the screen again. "Oh my god, are you okay?" "She's fine," the nurse said firmly, but she needs to rest." "I'm coming over…" "No." The word burst out with more force than Reign intended. "Don't. I'm fine. I just need to rest." "But…" "Please, Faeth. I'm okay. I promise." Faeth's expression said she didn't believe that for a second, but she nodded reluctantly. "Text me later, okay?" "I will." "Love you, babe." "Love you too." Reign ended the call before Faeth could say anything else. The nurse fussed over her for another few minutes, checking her bandage, asking questions that Reign answered mechanically, until finally the nurse left, and Reign was finally alone. She stared at the ceiling, her heart pounding from what she had just found out. How could that be possible? She and Asher had been together for three years. Three years of secret dates and stolen kisses, of whispered "I love yous" in dark apartments, and never had she seen a sign of him liking Kora. Not everything needed an audience, he had said; some things were better kept real and private. Reign believed him. She didn’t want the attention either. Going public would only draw eyes to her, something she detested. It was why she avoided elite events and used her mother’s last name at work. More importantly, he was her best friend’s uncle; it would look wrong, and she feared ruining the only relationship that felt real and stable in her life. So she understood him when he cancelled dates for a “work emergency” or “business trip,” even when he knew she’d be alone, especially on days Kora was far away. Had he been with Kora those times, too? The thought made her stomach turn. Slowly, Reign unlocked her phone and opened Instagram. Kora's profile loaded immediately. Two hundred thousand followers, professional photos, sponsored posts and daily routine posts with obvious filters to amplify her looks. But the first post, posted a few hours ago, was what caught Reign's attention. It was a photo of Kora seated in the backseat of a car with a clean, luxurious interior. The camera was focused on her face as usual, but it was angled in a way that showed her exposed thigh, and on it lay a man's head. The caption read: He couldn't wait to see me despite being exhausted. Reign’s heart clenched painfully, a gasp slipping from her dry lips. That was Asher. She had called him the night before, complaining about her stomach, and he’d said it was too late, and there was nothing he could do. There had been no empathy, no comfort in his voice. And she had assumed he was just tired, even blamed herself for waking him at 1 a.m. All the while, he had been with Kora. While Reign lay alone, craving his comfort, he had been under the sheets with another woman. Reign felt stupid; she couldn't stop the tears spilling down her temples, soaking into the pillow. Her phone buzzed in her hands, "Mother" flashed on the screen. Reign stared at the name for three rings before accepting. "Finally." Her mother hissed. "Do you have any idea how embarrassing yesterday was for me?" Reign blinked. Yesterday? "The Stone family meeting," Miranda continued, her voice tight with anger. "The one you completely failed to attend. Do you know how that makes me look?" I was in the hospital, Reign wanted to say. I was terrified, and you told me I was being dramatic. But what was the point? "Are you even listening to me?" "Yes, Mother." "Good. Because I've arranged another meeting tomorrow night with a very suitable young man." Miranda's tone shifted, becoming almost businesslike. "His name is Marcus Pearson. Twenty-seven comes from a respectable family. Most importantly, he's... manageable." Manageable. That was her mother’s definition of “not good enough.” She wanted Reign to marry into a wealthy family. But despite all her efforts, Miranda couldn’t secure a meeting with the top elites. After her father, David Sutton, died, Miranda took control of the company shares and pushed Reign to marry richer to expand their wealth. When Reign refused, her mother cut off her access to the family money, leaving her completely at Miranda’s mercy. "The reservation is at Hotel del Crey," Miranda continued. "Private room 1008. Six-thirty tomorrow evening. Wear something modest. And for God's sake, smile. You always look so sullen." Reign stared at the ceiling. Her mother hadn't asked how she was feeling. Hadn't asked if the pain had gotten better. All Miranda cared about was the marriage, the inheritance, and making more money. Just like Asher had cared only about her body. The thought should have broken her. Well, it did. But underneath the pain, Reign felt something else rising. Something cold and reckless. "Fine," she said. Silence. Then: "What?" "I said fine. I'll go." "You... you will?" Miranda sounded genuinely shocked. "Yes." "Oh. Well. Good." Miranda's voice became quick. "I'll send you Mr Pearson's information now. Remember, modest dress, pleasant demeanour. This is important, Reign." For your personal gain, of course, Reign thought. "Is there anything else?" she asked, her voice perfectly even. "No, that's all…" Reign ended the call. For a long moment, she just lay there, phone resting on her chest, her heart feeling like it was shredded. Asher had been cheating on her with her stepsister for God knows how long, her mother was trying to auction her off to the most beneficial bidder, and Reign...? She was done being used, done being controlled, done being the secret girlfriend and the dutiful daughter and the convenient pawn. If her mother wanted to marry her off, fine. But it would be on Reign's terms now. She would go on this blind date. Meet this "manageable" man. But she'd be playing her own game, not her mother's. The thought was dangerous, reckless, and completely unlike anything Reign had ever done in her careful, controlled life. But the old Reign, the one who believed in Asher's promises, was dead anyway. Killed in a hospital room by a phone call and Instagram posts. II CHAPTER 2: LET’S GET MARRIED Reign's hand wrapped around her stomach as she stepped out of the car, straightening slowly to look up at Hotel del Crey. The glass and steel tower gleamed against the evening sky. There, she had attended countless business dinners with her father, back when he was alive, learning how to read people, how to negotiate, and how to win. God, I miss you, Dad. But she wasn’t there to reminisce about what was lost. She was here to meet the man her mother had arranged for her. She moved through the rotating doors with a calm aura, ignoring the stares. Of course, people were looking. Many might not recognize her as Sutton Technologies heiress, but she was walking into a five-star hotel in loose powder blue pants and a white baggy t-shirt, with no makeup, and her layered curly hair barely brushed. She looked like she had just rolled out of bed. Which wasn't far from the truth. But if her date or her mother, or anyone else, had a problem with her appearance, they could fck right off. The elevator doors opened, and Reign stepped inside. However, just as the doors started to close, a hand shot out. Reign straightened as a man stepped in: middle-aged, balding, wearing an expensive suit that barely hid his belly. She recognized him immediately. Mr. Dalton. One of her father's old associates. "Fancy seeing you here, Miss Sutton," he said, grinning. "What floor?" "Top floor," Reign said flatly. "Ah, the top floor." He pressed the button. "Meeting the young man your mother arranged for you?" Reign’s jaw ticked, but she didn't respond. Of course, everyone knows that. She stared at the mirrored wall, counting seconds until the ride was over. "I must say,” Mr Dalton continued, oblivious or indifferent to her silence, “I was quite disappointed when I heard your mother was pursuing matches from the lesser elite," Mr. Dalton continued. "A Sutton princess marrying someone below her station.” He shook his head, making a tsk-tsk sound. “It's almost laughable. Certainly bad for the company's image. I'm sure you understand the implications better than your mother does." The elevator climbed. Just ignore him. "But you know," his voice dropped, "I could help you with that." Despite herself, Reign's eyes flicked to his reflection. He smiled, clearly pleased to finally have her attention. "I worked with your father for fifteen years. I know Sutton Technologies inside and out. That's what you need, isn’t it? Someone who understands the company." Eighth floor. Ninth floor. 'What do you say?’ He took a step closer, and she could smell his cologne, tobacco and something like…raw egg? “Forget this middle-class fellow. Consider me instead." Reign scoffed; she couldn't help it. The sound escaped before she could stop it. "Now, now. I know what you're thinking, the age difference.” He said, wriggling a finger. “But age is just a number. I might look a little bit old, but…" He puffed out his chest. "My body is a machine when it comes to pleasing a woman." Bile rose in Reign's throat. "I know young blood like you are very active and starving when it comes to certain activities..." His grin widened, apparently oblivious to the disgust on her face. "But you wouldn't have to worry about that aspect with me. I can more than satisfy…." His fingers traced down her spine and landed on her @ss. Reign froze. It wasn't a brush. It wasn't even an accident. It was a deliberate grab. Like fingers squeezing, palm pressing her closer, she felt his erection against her hip. For one second, Reign's mind went blank. Then rage exploded. She whirled and slapped him. The crack echoed, and Mr Dalton stumbled back, hand flying to his face. "You little…" "Age might not matter," Reign said, voice steady and cold, "but I can never be with a man who gropes a woman young enough to be his daughter without permission." She stepped forward. "So here's my advice: Learn to keep your dirty wrinkled hands to yourself." His face flushed dark red. "You'll regret this, you ungrateful b*tch…" The elevator dinged, the doors slid open, and Reign stepped out without looking back. "I'll ruin you!" Mr Dalton shouted. "You're nothing! Nothing without a man to…" The doors closed, cutting him off. Reign stood in the hallway, breathing hard. Her hand stung, but her surgical site throbbed more from the exertion. How many times? She thought. How many times have I had to deal with men like him? The answer was too many. Far too many. It started after her father's death. Suddenly, men she had known her entire life, business partners, family friends, had started looking at her differently, making suggestions, and Miranda had done nothing to stop it. If anything, she had encouraged it. But there had been one person who had protected her. Asher. Whenever Reign told Faeth about an incident, Faeth would complain to her uncle, even though Reign had told him in secret. And Asher would handle it. Quietly, and efficiently. Men who had touched Reign suddenly found their careers derailed by "unfortunate coincidences." Reign had thought it was love. Now she didn’t know what the h*ll it had been. She blinked back tears. Focus. You came here for a reason. The hallway was quiet, lined with doors to private suites and meeting rooms. She walked slowly, checking room numbers. 1008. She stopped at the door, then, without waiting, she pushed it open, only to freeze. Someone was already inside. She hadn't expected to find anyone there yet. She had come early specifically to calm her mind, and maybe run if she had a change of heart. The man inside was tall, maybe six-two, and stood with his back to her, phone pressed to his ear. He turned at the sound of the door, his eyes narrowing slightly when they fell on her. Reign's first instinct was to apologize for interrupting, but she swallowed it. Instead, she crossed the room where an open laptop, a bottle of half-drunk water, and an expensive crystal glass with iced water sat on the coffee table. She lowered herself carefully, biting back a wince. The man said something quietly into the phone. And the next, he was sitting across from her. And well, Reign... stared. Completely stunned. Because he was nothing like what she had expected. First, he was young. Mid-twenties, maybe early thirties at most. And this man was beautiful. Not in some soft Korean idol way, but in a Greek god sort of way, all sharp angles and dangerous beauty. He had lean muscle that strained beneath his rolled-up white shirt, muscles lining his arms as if about to rip through his brown, soft, lightly hair-dusted skin. Sharp jaw and chiselled nose. But it was his eyes that made Reign's heart freeze, then race rapidly. Blue. Icy, oceanic blue that pinned her in place. How had her mother managed to bag a man so effortlessly beautiful and sophisticated? Then again, she blinked, people do desperate things. Her mother had said “manageable,” which meant he wasn’t top elite. She wouldn’t be surprised if he had gone into debt for that suit. Because someone from the lesser elite, though still rich, was below the top tier and couldn’t possibly afford a bespoke tailored suit like the one he was wearing, not to mention handmade Italian leather shoes. How pretentious. But... Why did he look familiar? She could swear she had seen him somewhere before. But then, people in her world all looked familiar. You could see someone on the internet one day, then meet them at a spa the next. It was that easy. The only people who are hard to see are the Apex/Top Elite. The man raised an eyebrow, and Reign realized she had been staring. Heat crept up her neck. "I'm sorry. I'm Reign. Reign Sutton." He didn't respond. He just... waited, watching her with those beautiful, unreadable blue eyes. Rude much, aren’t we? Reign straightened, ignoring the pull in her side. "I'm sure you know what this is about. So let's not waste time." Still nothing. His expression remained unreadable. Fine. If he wanted direct, she would give him direct. "If you find me agreeable, I'd like to propose marriage." That got a reaction. The man went very still. The only reaction he showed was a raised brow. "Marriage?" The word came out slow and careful, like he was tasting it. “That's quite a proposal for a first meeting." "I know how it sounds." Reign forced herself to hold his gaze. "But since both families are forming an alliance, a marriage shouldn’t be surprising. I’m proposing a one-year contract, marriage on paper only." The silence stretched. He didn't move. Didn't even blink. Was he shocked? Offended? She couldn't tell. "I wouldn't interfere with your life," she continued, her words coming faster now, but firm with confidence. "If you wish to see other people, that would be fine. Though I won't take responsibility for any illegitimate children." God, she sounded ridiculous. "We would keep finances completely separate," she added quickly. "No entanglement. We could put everything in writing, make it official and legal. One year, then we go our separate ways. No strings attached." She was rambling. She knew that, but he just kept staring at her with those ice-blue eyes, and she just couldn't stop. The idea had sounded solid and sensible when she had thought it through earlier. She didn't want to spend her life tied to someone she didn't love, all for money. But circumstances had forced her hand. A contract marriage, one year and done, seemed like the best compromise. But now that the words were out in the open, she felt stupid. And the way he was staring at her and saying nothing? It made her feel uneasy. Her hands curled into fists around her bag strap. But she raised her chin regardless, "What do you think?" He didn't say a word. He just studied her. His gaze travelled over her face, lingering on the circles under her eyes and the tension in her stiff shoulders. She was terrified, he thought to himself in amusement. He could see it in the way her hand gripped her bag, the way her breathing had gone light, the way she leaned slightly to her side like she was trying to hide that she was in pain. And yet she'd still walked in here and proposed marriage to a stranger. Brave little thing. He smirked. However, to Reign, she felt dissected. She assumed he was judging her look, and that made her blood boil under her skin. But finally, he leaned back in his chair, and a slow smile spread across his face. "Alright." Reign blinked. "I’m sorry, what?" "Alright." He repeated as he glanced at his sleek, and clearly expensive, watch. "It's six-fifteen. I know someone at the registry office. We can handle it tonight." Her mouth fell open. "You're... you're serious?" "You proposed marriage." Something that seemed like amusement flickered in his eyes. "And I'm accepting." "I…Just like that?" "Just like that." He stood, his movements unhurried and controlled. "Unless you've had a change of heart?" Reign stared up at him, her mind spinning. This was insane. She can't really tell what she expected, but she had expected questions, negotiation, or maybe outright rejection. Not... immediate agreement. But what choice did she have? It was afterall her plan. She stood carefully, ignoring the ache in her side and the pounding of her heart. "No. No change of heart." "Good." He gestured toward the door. "Then we should go. The registry office won't stay open forever." Reign grabbed her bag with trembling hands. She was really doing this. She was about to marry a stranger she didn't know anything about, except that her mother had arranged this meeting, and he was far too beautiful to be manageable. Holy sht. III CHAPTER 3: THE CONFRONTATION At 7.00 PM, Reign found herself staring at the freshly printed certificates in her trembling hands. Mr and Mrs Pierson. Her heart raged in her chest, pounding so hard she thought it might explode. She was married. Actually married to a stranger she had met not even up to hours ago, a man whose first name she had only learned when they were signing their certificate. She was terrified. But the deed was done. Her signature stood proud on the certificate, next to his simple, perfect initials. Dashiell glanced at her as they walked side by side out of the building. "You alright?" She nodded, not trusting her voice. And mostly because she was unable to meet his eyes, or what to say if their eyes met. Thanks for agreeing to this. Or did she start calling him husband now? Gosh! This is so embarrassing. They walked in silence for a few minutes until they were now strolling down the empty parking lot towards where her old car sat. "We should exchange numbers," Dashiell said suddenly, pulling out his phone. "In case we need to contact each other." Right. They exchanged numbers in silence. The whole thing felt surreal, standing in an empty parking lot swapping phone numbers with the stranger she had just married. Well, not strangers per se anymore. He was now her husband. What do I save his number with? My husband? This is crazy. "I'll be in touch," Dashiell said, pocketing his phone. "We can discuss the contract details over a meal." “Sure,” Reign nodded with a small smile and reached for the door handle. “Mrs Pierson…” Her hand stilled, and she turned back slowly. His dark eyes, swirling with amusement, held hers for a moment. "Get some rest." He smirked, and with that, he turned and walked away. For a moment, Reign couldn’t move. Mrs. Pierson? Her face burned, and heat climbed up her neck, settling fully in her cheeks. Did he just…. Did he just call her that to get a reaction from her? She stared after him, while he kept walking away without looking back. He was so calm and clearly unbothered, like they had just signed a business deal instead of a marriage license. “…unbelievable,” she muttered under her breath. With a shake of her head, she unlocked her car and slid into the driver’s seat, shutting the door a little too loudly. For a moment, she just sat there, staring into nothing, then she leaned back against the seat and let out a slow breath. Mrs. Pierson. That was her name now, and for the next year. As simple as that sounds, she found it terrifying and unnerving. She didn’t even know who the man was. Her mother may have arranged their date, but she had hastened a marriage without getting to know him at first. But come to think of it, Reign tilted her head. Isn’t he weird? Because who in their right mind marries a stranger… and walks around looking that calm about it? Or worse…that entertained? She hadn’t even looked him up. Everything had spiralled so fast that it skipped her mind. She’d do it when she got home, Reign reassured herself, but before she could start the car, her phone rang, the sudden sound startling her. She rolled her eyes when she saw the name flashing across the screen. "Did you go?" Miranda's voice was sharp. "Yes, Mother.” Reign replied as she started the car. “I went." "And?" Reign pulled out of the parking spot, eyes on the road. "I did what you wanted. What you need to do now is to give me what's mine." "What you…Reign dear, don't be ridiculous. I need confirmation from the Pierson family first. I need to know you actually showed up and didn't embarrass me." "I went, and we talked. Now release my inheritance." She wasn’t in the mood for chitchat with her mother. She never was. Miranda laughed. "It's not that simple, darling. I haven't received an affirmation call from his family. Why would I trust you?" Reign's jaw tightened as she turned onto the main road. "Fine. When you get your confirmation, I want my shares and my father's house back." There was a pause. "The house?" Miranda's voice sharpened; she surely wasn’t expecting that. "You know Kora is living there." Reign’s hand tightened on the wheel, her jaw clenched tight. "I don't care." "Reign…" "That house is mine.” Reign snapped. “Father left them to me. You've withheld them long enough." "Don't be selfish!" Miranda snapped. "Do you know how hard I've worked to win Kora over? That house is the only reason she finally respects me! You're intentionally trying to ruin my peace isn’t you?" Reign rolled her eyes. Kora didn't respect Miranda. She tolerated her, and that is even barely. The whole "happy blended family" act was a performance, and either Miranda knew it and was pretending otherwise, or she was genuinely that blind. Either way, Reign didn't care. "The house was mine before you gave it to Kora," Reign said coolly, even though her inside was boiling. "The shares were mine before you locked them away. You took them to control me. To force me into doing what you wanted. Well, I did it. Now give them back." "You ungrateful little…" "And Mother?" Reign cut Miranda off. "Don't make me involve Grandma Iris." Silence. Then Miranda's voice came back, shaking with fury. "Are you threatening me? After all I've done, the sacrifices I've made raising you alone... "Goodnight, Mother." Reign hung up. She gripped the steering wheel tighter and scoffed. After the sacrifice she gave her? Anyone who heard that would think she did anything. All her mother did was get married to another man, not even six months after her late husband’s death. She wasn’t even bothered by her broken twenty-one year old daughter, who needed a parent, someone to comfort her. Reign's vision blurred with unshed tears, and she blinked fast to get rid of them. Grandma Iris is her father's mother. The one true woman who held the real power in the Sutton family and final say on everything. She could take it all from Miranda if she wanted. But she wouldn't. She didn’t even attend her son’s funeral. Reign couldn’t blame her, as her father was Grandma Iris's only and precious son, and Reign looked just like her father. Same eyes. Same smile. Grandma Iris couldn't bear to look at her, and Reign could never blame her for that. Twenty minutes later, Reign pulled into the parking lot of her apartment building. She grabbed her purse, locked the car, and walked toward the entrance, her bones heavy with exhaustion. All she wanted was to collapse into bed and forget this entire day had happened. But when she reached her apartment door, she froze. The lights were on inside. She could see them through the gap under the door, and the door itself was unlocked. Every hair on her body stood on end with fear. She knew she should run, maybe alert her neighbours or something, but instead she pushed the door open slowly, heart pounding. Then she froze. Her fear shifted into disbelief and anger when her eyes fell on the person standing in the middle of her living room, one of her mugs in her hand, smiling like she owned the place. "How did you get in here?" Reign gritted, eyeing Kora. Kora took a sip of tea. "That's not a way to greet your sister." "We aren’t related in any way.” “Hmm,” Kora hummed as she set the mug down on the coffee table and walked around the sofa, her eyes sweeping over Reign from head to toe. "You look terrible," Kora said, tilting her head. "Did you go on a date looking like that?" Reign shifted on her feet, "That's none of your business. “I asked you a question. How did you get in here?" Kora folded her hands under her chest. “Your mother asked me to bring you some home-cooked food." She gestured toward the kitchen counter, where a covered dish sat. "Quite out of character for her, honestly. Everyone knows she doesn't care about you." The words were meant to hurt her, but Reign showed no reaction. It was a known fact. Her mother sending her home-cooked meal rubbed even Reign the wrong way. "Speaks the same as you," Reign said flatly. "You were never a dutiful stepdaughter. So there must be a reason you'd willingly accept her request." Her voice hardened, eyes narrowing. "Don't you think that's suspicious? And since you've done your errand," Reign continued, crossing her arms too, "you should leave." Kora's smile widened, but something cold flickered behind her eyes. "Oh, I will," she said. "But by the look on your face, I can tell you got the message." Reign remained silent; she was too tired for this anyway. Reign and Kora had never liked each other. They were two daughters forced into a family neither wanted. But for some reason, Kora didn't just dislike her. Kora hated her. And now she finally understood why. "You shouldn’t be upset.” Kora continued. “I thought you should know the truth, for the grace of us being sisters. And because I don't want you to get hurt." Reign's stomach tightened. "Asher is mine," Kora said. "He's always been mine. So for your sake, I'd suggest you stop pining after him. It's disgusting enough that you keep sending him messages even when he doesn't reply. Not to mention the nu'des." Reign went rigid, hands dropping at her side, her anger instantly dissolving into shock. Kora laughed. "Seriously, Rey. I didn't think you were that kind of person." "Did…Did Asher tell you that?" Reign's voice was low, almost shaking. Kora's smile widened. In her mind, Kora knew she was lying. Asher had never shown her anything. In fact, he had kept their relationship hidden from her, too. Kora had only found out recently. But Reign didn't need to know that. Kora took a few steps forward, grinning. "Not told. Showed." Reign's hands curled into fists. Her eyes were red with anger. “Wait.” Kora’s eyes lit up. “You really thought he loved you?” She laughed. “God, Reign....he was just being nice. You were his niece’s pathetic friend. And you…" Her eyes gleamed with amusement, "You ate it up like a starving dog.” She laughed again, loud, with a hand flying to her mouth in mockery. Reign's grip tightened around her bag strap, her neck muscles straining with the effort of holding back. "If you knew all this," Reign said, her voice perfectly level despite the storm inside, "why wait until now to tell me? Why not confront me as soon as you find out?" Kora's laugh ceased into a faltering smile. "You just found out, too, didn't you? You didn't know about me any more than I knew about you. We're both victims here, Kora. So stop acting pompous." Kora's face flushed. She opened her mouth to retort, but Reign beat her to it. "You can have him," Reign said flatly. "Asher was never mine. So take what's left of him. But if you're done, get out of my house." Kora's eyes flashed. "You can’t…" "I said get out." Reign snapped, and Kora flinched. For a moment, Kora looked like she might argue. Then she grabbed her purse, shot Reign one last venomous look, and stormed toward the door. Reign waited for her footsteps to fade away before finally sinking onto the floor, pulling her knees to her chest. Her body was wound tight, like a spring ready to snap. But she refused to let it. She refused to cry even though her heart was heavy with impending sob. How long...How long would it have gone on if Faeth hadn't walked in on them? IV CHAPTER 4: THE SHRILL "Resignation?" The HR manager, a middle-aged woman named Patricia, looked up from her computer with raised eyebrows. "Are you sure you won’t reconsider staying? If it’s about the salary, I can try to negotiate with the leadership for you." With Asher? Reign wanted to scoff, but she gave a small smile. "It’s not about that, Patricia. I’m quitting for personal reasons that can’t be waved away," Reign said, her voice steady. Reign had worked there for two years, hiding in plain sight, using her mother's maiden name, “Reign Wells,” so no one would connect her to the Sutton fortune. She had chosen that because she didn’t want attention, didn’t want people to be uncomfortable around her, and also so she and Asher could keep their relationship private. There, everyone knew Reign as the serious, nerdy assistant to Asher’s personal secretary, Patricia. And even though it was hard for Patricia to let go of someone who was very meticulous, quick-witted, and handled both big and small matters appropriately, saving her a lot of trouble, unlike the other women who only applied to climb the social ladder, she had no power to keep Reign from leaving when she wanted to. Sighing, Patricia nodded. "Alright. I'll process this, but you'll need a few signatures for exit clearance." She handed Reign a manila folder. "Lucky you, Mr Rothwell, just got back from his trip. You can take that up to his office, as he will need to sign off." Asher? Oh, God, no! Reign didn’t want to see him. She didn’t want to stand in his office, breathe the same air, and pretend she was fine. But she needed this done. So, with a reluctant sigh, Reign slipped another folder labeled “To sign” from the table. “Thank you,” she said, her fingers tightening around the folders. “I’ll also get this signed.” The elevator ride to the top floor felt like descending into h-ll. Her heart pounded so hard she could feel it in her throat. Just get the signature and leave. That's all. But she knew Asher. He wouldn't want to sign the document without a question, and Reign wasn't in the mood for that. To execute her plan without raising Asher's suspicions, Reign discreetly inserted the page requiring Asher's signature into another document, ensuring that only the signature section was visible. The rest of the page was concealed by the other document. The elevator doors opened, and Reign stepped out onto the executive floor. Asher's office was at the end of the hall, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the entire city. Reign's hands trembled as she walked toward it. She paused outside the door, took a breath, and knocked. "Come in," came his voice. It sent a shiver down her spine, but she shook off the feeling and pushed the door open. Asher sat behind his desk, eyes glued to his laptop screen. He looked handsome as usual, dark hair slightly tousled, a sharp jawline clenched in focus, and an expensive black suit tailored perfectly to his frame. He looks devilishly handsome, and it breaks Reign's heart. As if sensing her eyes on him, he looked up, and his eyes widened. For a split second, something flickered across his face, surprise? Guilt? Reign couldn’t tell as it was gone, replaced by that slow, irresistible smile that used to make her heart race, and her knees weak. He pushed his chair back and stood, opening his arms wide. "Come here, baby." His voice dropped into that low, seductive tone he always used when they were alone. The one that used to make her melt. Don't. Don't fall for it. But God, she wanted to. She wanted to run into his arms and pretend none of what she saw yesterday had happened. Pretend that she hadn't seen him kissing her stepsister or heard and imagined everything Faith explained. Pretend the last three years hadn't been a lie. She wanted to feel his arms around her, but her feet stayed rooted to the floor. Asher's smile faltered, and his arms dropped slowly to his sides. "Reign?" he called, his eyes furrowing into something that looked like concern. Reign forced herself to move, walking toward his desk with slow steps. Her expression was calm and unreadable. She stopped in front of him and held out the folder. "I need you to sign these." He frowned, taking the folder from her hands. "What is this?" "They need your signature," she replied flatly, maintaining professionalism even though she was hurting inside. Asher looked from her to the document. He flipped the folder open, skimming the first page without really reading it. His brow furrowed slightly, and Reign bit down on her lower lip. If he flipped to the next page, then he would see the resignation letter in full. But thankfully, he didn’t flip to the next page; instead, he grabbed a pen from his desk and scrawled his signature across the bottom of the first page. Reign exhaled softly. When he finished, he closed the folder and handed it back to her, his eyes searching her face. "Okay. Done." He stepped closer. "Now tell me what's wrong." Without meeting his gaze, Reign tucked the folder under her arm and turned to leave. "Reign, wait…" His hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. "Let go," she said quietly, her eyes closed while her heart thrummed painfully hard. "Not until you tell me what's going on." He tugged her closer, his other hand coming up to cup her cheek. "Is this because I didn't call you? Baby, I just got back this morning. I was swamped with meetings. I was going to surprise you tonight, I swear." Lies. Now that she knows the kind of person he is, she can see them in his eyes, hear them in his voice. But four years ago, she would've believed him. Four years ago, she would've apologised for doubting him. "Asher…" "I know I should've called," he continued, his thumb brushing her cheekbone. "But I'm here now, aren't I?" Of course, no apology. He never felt the need to apologize because, in his mind, he was never wrong. It was almost ironic that she was only seeing all of this now. Maybe she had noticed before… but love had covered those flaws and dressed them up as something beautiful, instead of warning her they were red flags. Pissed at herself and him, she tried to pull away, but his grip tightened. And the next thing, he kissed her. For one horrible, traitorous second, her body responded. Her lips parted, giving access to his tongue to tease the inside of her mouth. A moan slipped past her lips from the pleasure, and her hands almost, almost, reached for him, until a voice rang out from the doorway. Asher jerked back so violently that Reign stumbled. She barely caught herself, her hands bracing against the edge of his desk. Her mind spun, vision still dazed. What just… "Kora!" Asher's voice was warm and breathy. "What are you doing here?" Reign's blood turned to ice. Kora? Was that... was that why he almost made her fall? Her heart clenched painfully, but she straightened slowly, forcing herself to look at him. But he wasn't looking at her. Reign doubts he even noticed she was about to fall from how hard he had pulled away from her. She turned her gaze to her stepsister, who stood there in a tight red dress, designer heels, and perfectly styled hair. She looked like she was going for a photo shoot. "Oh!" Kora's eyes widened dramatically as if she was just noticing Reign. "I didn't know it was you, sister." Reign managed to hold back an eye roll as Kora glanced at Asher with a practiced pout. "Am I interrupting? I can wait outside if you’re busy…" "No, no," Asher said quickly, waving a hand. "Reign was just leaving.” Reign met his eyes, but there was nothing there. No guilt, no apology, not even a recognition of what he had just done. With her chest tightening in pain, Reign said, "Yes, I was." She picked up the folder and walked past Kora without another word. She hadn't even shut the door before she heard Kora's high-pitched squeal. "I miss you so much, babe!" And Asher's low chuckle. "Isn’t that too soon? We..." But Reign kept walking regardless. She made it to the elevator before the tears started. She jabbed the button, her vision blurring. Don't cry. Don't you dare cry. But she already was. The elevator doors opened, and she hurried inside, pressing herself into the corner, arms wrapped around the folder like it could shield her from the pain tearing through her chest. He had kissed her and then pushed her away the second Kora walked in. Like she was disposable. Like she was nothing but a trash can. And what hurt the most was that he was shameless about it. It was as if her feelings weren't valid. As if that was the most normal thing for her to witness. The elevator dinged, signaling her stop. Reign quickly wiped her eyes and stepped out. She needed to retrieve her things from her desk. Pack up and leave the godforsaken pit of h-ll, and never look back. But as she walked back toward her office, she heard muffled voices near the break room. Two women from accounting, Jessica and another whose name she couldn’t recall, stood huddled around a phone, giggling. “You saw Kora Hayes going up to the VP’s office, right?” Jessica whispered. “Yeah, I was surprised too.” “Well, look.” Jessica pulled the phone closer to the other woman. “I went through her page… I think I just figured out who her mystery boyfriend is. Look.” Reign slowed her steps, her stomach tightening as she watched them through the door. “Wait, is that...” The other woman’s eyes widened, her hand flying to her mouth. “No way. That’s… that watch!” her voice lowered. “I know!” Jessica said, zooming in on the picture. “It’s the same as the VP’s watch. Remember, it’s supposed to be custom-made. And now she’s here to see him personally. Do you see it?” “No way… I knew she was dating someone rich, but I didn’t think it could be... OMG.” She screamed into her palm, eyes wide. “I bet they’ve been together for years. She’s always posting about her ‘mystery man.’” “God, I’m so jealous. Imagine dating someone like him.” Reign stood frozen just out of sight. Neither woman noticed her. They were too busy scrolling through Kora’s feed, giggling over their newly uncovered “secret.” Even if they noticed her, they wouldn't feel bad, as no one knew of her relationship with Asher. With a heavy exhale, Reign walked past them, packed her desk in silence, and soon she was out of the building. Just as she reached her car, her phone rang. Mother. Reign closed her eyes, took a breath, and answered. “Reign, we need to discuss the house situation.” “There’s nothing to discuss.” “Kora is very upset,” Miranda said, her voice dripping with false concern. “She’s made that place her home. She’s redecorated and brought in her things. Surely we can find you another property? Something newer, more modern...” “No.” “Reign…” “That house belonged to Dad. He left it to me. So why should I give it up to someone who isn’t related to me?” “You’re being unreasonable…” “And you’re being manipulative.” Reign snapped, cutting her off, and that shut Miranda up. But Reign couldn’t care less. She was already having a bad day. “I’m taking back what’s mine. End of discussion.” She hung up before Miranda could respond. Fueled by anger, Reign decided to speed things up. That afternoon, she hired a cleaning crew and a locksmith. She wasn’t going to wait for Miranda to “handle” the house situation. She was taking it back today. The crew arrived at 3 p.m. Reign met them at the gate of her father’s estate, a vast property on the edge of the city, surrounded by trees and high walls. She hadn’t been here in two years. One of the reasons was that Miranda had given it to Kora as a “gift” after the wedding. But not anymore. Reign unlocked the gate and led the crew inside. As she stepped in, she spotted a familiar Bentley parked in the driveway. Bile rose in her throat and threatened to spill when she saw what Kora had done to the inside of the house. Kora had redecorated the house beyond recognition. The walls were now painted a flashy pink. The furniture was all wrong, modern and flashy, nothing like the warm, classic style her father had loved. Reign’s jaw tightened in anger. “Start with the first floor,” she told the crew. “I want everything packed and ready to move out by this evening.” They nodded and got to work. Reign climbed the stairs to the second floor, where she knew the intruders were. She walked down the hallway toward the master bedroom and froze at the doorway to her father’s room when she heard a sound. Her brows furrowed. The sound came again, and she pushed the door open. Inside, Kora and Asher were on the bed. They weren’t n@ked, at least not yet, but the way they were kissing, clinging to each other, and groping each other while shamelessly moaning made it clear it wouldn’t take long. Fury exploded inside Reign, her vision flashing red. She didn’t say a word. She didn’t even announce her presence. Instead, she turned on her heel, walked into the bathroom of the next room, and grabbed the ceramic basin sitting by the sink. The house walls were soundproof, thankfully, so neither Kora nor Asher noticed the running tap. Reign filled the basin with cold water, turned, and marched back into the bedroom. By now, Asher had his shirt completely unbuttoned, his head buried in Kora’s bare chest. Neither of them noticed Reign as she stepped forward and dumped the entire basin over them. The sound of water crashing onto their bodies filled the room, followed by a shrill scream.