Desiree's POV It's been a couple of days since Mike brought his things into the house, and so far, he seems to be everywhere. In the kitchen when I go to get water. In the living room when I want to have a living room time. Even in the damn compound when I’m trying to catch some air. “Are you following me?” I say, as I see Mike coming toward the pool where I’m lounging. Mike lets out a long, exasperated sigh, the kind that sounds halfway between a groan and a laugh, as he strolls toward the pool. He’s shirtless, naturally, like he owns the entire planet. I glare at him from my lounge chair, the sun beating down on me, but I can’t tell if the heat is from the sun or my own annoyance. “Are you following me?” I ask again, looking up from my sunglasses. He raises an eyebrow. “Excuse me?” “You heard me. It’s been days since you moved back in, and somehow you’re everywhere. Every room, every corner, and now, here, by the pool. It’s like I can’t breathe without you showing up.” He rol
I feel my cheeks flush with anger, my fists clenching. “You don’t get to use that against me. Not after everything you’ve done.”“Oh, trust me, I know exactly where I stand,” he says, his voice a harsh whisper. “But if you think I’m going to just roll over and let you push me around, you’re wrong.”“Is that a threat?” I ask, my voice ice-cold.He shrugs, his expression unreadable. “Call it what you want. Just don’t expect me to disappear on your command.”Without another word, I turn on my heel, storming away from the pool, my heart pounding with frustration, anger, and something else—something I don’t want to acknowledge. I hear him mutter something under his breath, but I don’t turn around. I’m done. I don’t owe him anything, least of all an explanation.As I walk back into the house, the cool air hits my skin, but it does little to soothe the fire raging inside me.In the living room, Caspian looks up from his newspaper, raising an eyebrow. I know I must look like a woman on the br
For a moment, Caspian and I are both silent, caught off guard by his sudden appearance. I glance at Caspian, hoping he’ll take the lead, but his expression has gone from hardened to utterly unreadable, a look I rarely see on his face. “Mike,” I start, my tone more cautious now. “This isn’t… it’s not something you need to worry about.” Mike’s eyes narrow. “Oh, really? Because from where I’m standing, it sounds like there’s something you two are hiding from me. Something about… my parentage?” Caspian sighs, his hand coming up to pinch the bridge of his nose. “Mike, this really isn’t the time.” “Why not?” Mike’s gaze sharpens. “I mean, you’re both here, talking about me, clearly. Might as well include me in the conversation, right?” I clench my fists. “Fine,” I snap, the words spilling out before I can stop them. “Antonio did some investigation. He’s found some… inconsistencies in your mother’s stories. And we’re starting to think—” “That I’m not really Caspian Hart’s son?” Mike cu
“Oh, trust me, I see the picture clearly. Crystal clear. I see a man who has never been told ‘no’ a single day in his life. I see a man who thinks he can waltz in and out of people’s lives, leaving wreckage behind him without a second thought. And now, I see him sulking around this house, acting like I’m the one who’s out of line!” “Desiree, we all have flaws. Even you.” I feel a flare of anger rising. “Oh, don’t you dare try to turn this around on me, Caspian. I’m not the one who’s let him walk all over everyone and then made excuses for it. That’s all you.” His face hardens. “I’m doing the best I can.” “Well, your best has a pretty low bar if this is the result!” I snap, feeling the words tumble out before I can stop them. But once they’re out, I don’t regret them. Not one bit. Caspian needs to hear this. He’s needed to hear it for years. “You know what?” he says, his voice dangerously quiet, his calm facade cracking just a bit. “I don’t understand why you’re so intent on teari
Caspian's POVThe last time I was this frustrated, Mabel was sitting across from me in my office, calmly declaring herself CEO of my company as if she’d simply decided the weather. And now, here I am, standing at the edge of the pool, watching my son sulk in the sun like some tragic, misunderstood hero.Mike’s lying on a lounge chair, sunglasses on, shirtless, practically luxuriating in his own self-pity. If he were any more dramatic, he’d have a violin playing in the background. I take a deep breath, running a hand through my hair, and remind myself—firmly—that I am his father, and a father is supposed to show patience. Especially when that son is twenty-six years old and should damn well know better.“Mike,” I say, trying to keep my tone steady.Nothing. Not even a flinch.“Mike,” I repeat, louder this time.Finally, he lifts his sunglasses a fraction, peering at me as if I’m some kind of nuisance interrupting his grand tragedy. “Something you need?”“Yes. A little peace in this hou
Mike shifts uncomfortably, his gaze fixed on a spot just over her shoulder. He clears his throat, but no words come. I can practically feel him choking on his own pride, and I resist the urge to nudge him, to push him forward.After a long, awkward silence, he speaks, his voice barely above a mutter. “I’m… sorry.”Desiree snorts, crossing her arms tighter. “You’re going to have to do better than that.”Mike’s jaw tightens, and he glares at her. “Look, I don’t like you. You don’t like me. Let’s not pretend otherwise. But if my being here is making you this miserable, then fine—I’m sorry.”Her eyes flash with anger, but she holds back, nodding curtly. “Apology accepted. But let’s be clear—this doesn’t mean we’re suddenly friends. You stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours.”He scoffs, crossing his arms. “Trust me, that won’t be a problem.”I step between them, trying to keep the peace. “Alright, that’s enough. The point is, you both need to coexist. This isn’t about winning or l
The names hit me like a punch to the gut. I can feel my face drain of color, and from the corner of my eye, I see Desiree’s hand tighten on her armrest.“You… you called them here?” My voice comes out a strangled whisper, barely able to comprehend what he’s just done.He shrugs. “You said I should focus on the present, didn’t you? Well, here it is. The truth, right at our doorstep.”“Mike,” Desiree says, her voice low and dangerous. “What the hell were you thinking?”“I’m thinking it’s time we get some answers, don’t you?”I don’t know what’s worse—the fact that he went behind my back, or the smug satisfaction on his face, like he’s just accomplished some grand feat. He’s playing with fire, and he knows it. He wants to see us squirm, wants to force our hand in a way that’s as petty as it is destructive.“Listen to me,” I say, keeping my voice steady. “You think you want answers, but trust me, some things are better left buried. These people… they’re not here to help you, Mike.”“Then
Paul gives a casual wave. “Caspian. Desiree.” He nods to Mike, who barely acknowledges him.The tension in the room could slice through steel. I step aside, gesturing for them to come in, and they glide past me, making themselves at home in my living room as if they belong here, as if they haven’t each taken their turns stabbing me in the back.Gladys settles onto the couch with a little sigh, crossing her legs in that infuriatingly elegant way of hers. Paul leans against the armrest beside her, arms folded, looking at Mike like he’s some kind of long-lost prodigy.“So,” Gladys begins, glancing around, her gaze lingering on Desiree with a touch of disdain before settling on me. “I hear there’s been… some questions.”“Questions,” Desiree says. “That’s one way to put it.”Mike steps forward, his arms crossed over his chest, his face set in a mask of forced calm. “I want to know the truth. No more games, no more lies. I want to know where I come from.”Gladys raises an eyebrow, glancing