Chapter 6

“Dad, what do you mean by that?” Ryan’s voice trembled with growing frustration. “You told me I had to get married and be responsible, which I’ve done. So, what’s this nonsense you’re saying now?”

Ryan’s irritation was met with a calm, unyielding look from Mr. Kendrick. “I never said the empire wouldn’t be handed over to you,” Mr. Kendrick said evenly, leaning back in his leather chair. “What I am saying is this: your marriage must last over two years, and you must have a child before the empire is handed over. That’s the condition.”

Ryan blinked, his heart racing. "What?"

"You heard me, Ryan." Mr. Kendrick's voice remained steady. "A marriage of two years and a child. Then, and only then, will you get control of the empire."

Ryan's face twisted in disbelief. "Are you even listening to yourself, Dad? That wasn't the agreement. I did what you asked-I'm married! Why are you changing the terms now? Why are you depriving me of what's mine?"

He paced the room like a caged animal, his mind racing with anger. "Do you hate me that much? I thought I was your son... I thought you cared about me."

Silence filled the room as Mr. Kendrick met his son's gaze. His expression was unreadable, his posture relaxed yet firm. "This is my final decision," Mr. Kendrick said, his tone as cold as stone. "You need to prove you're truly ready, and this is the way to do it."

With that, Ryan's anger erupted. "This is bullshit!" he roared, storming out of his father's study. On his way out, he nearly knocked his mother, Mrs. Rose, aside.

"Ryan!" Mrs. Rose called after him, but her son had already slammed the front door shut and sped off in his car.

She turned to her husband, entering the study room. "Darling, what happened? Why did he leave like that?"

Mr. Kendrick sighed, running a hand through his thinning hair. "I told him about the new terms for inheriting the empire. He didn't take it well."

Mrs. Rose shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "He'll have to accept it eventually. He has no choice." She raised a brow. "But, I must say, he almost knocked me over in his fury."

Mr. Kendrick chuckled softly. "Forgive him. He's just being... our son."

"Of course." Mrs. Rose linked her arm through his. "Now, let's go have lunch. We need our strength for the chaos that's coming."

Meanwhile, Ryan drove aimlessly through the city, anger clouding his vision. His father's words echoed in his head, and the weight of what lay ahead sank in. "How the hell am I supposed to make this work?" he muttered under his breath, gripping the steering wheel.

He thought of Iris-the stripper he'd hired to play the role of his wife. Telling her that the contract needed to last two years, and worse, that they were expected to have a child... it was unthinkable.

I don't want a child with her, Ryan thought bitterly. My firstborn isn't going to come from some... stripper.

When Ryan arrived home, he found Ivy lounging in the living room, flipping through channels. "Hey, what's up, bro?" Ivy called out without looking up. "You look like someone punched you in the face."

Ryan glared at her but said nothing, letting his body collapse into the nearest armchair.

Ivy finally looked up, noticing her brother's defeated expression. "Whoa, what happened to you?"

"Dad happened," Ryan muttered darkly. "After everything I've done, he's still refusing to hand over the empire. He says I have to be married for two years and have a child first."

Ivy blinked. "That's it?" She shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, that's easy enough. Just stay married and have a kid. Problem solved."

Ryan shot her a scathing look. "Easy? You think any of this is easy? You don't understand."

"Nothing to understand, Ryan," Ivy said, popping a peanut into her mouth. "You're married. Just... enjoy it and get it over with.”

"Enjoy it?" Ryan scoffed. "You don't get it at all, Ivy."

"You're being a drama queen." Ivy rolled her eyes. "Just stop whining and-"

"Shut up, Ivy!" Ryan snapped, rising from his chair, his voice sharp with rage. "You have no idea what I'm dealing with. No boyfriend, no real friends. You're alone. Maybe you should focus on getting a life instead of giving advice."

Ivy froze, her face paling at his words. Her lips quivered, and without another word, she bolted from the room, slamming the door to her bedroom behind her.

The sound of her quiet sobs reached Ryan's ears, and guilt began to gnaw at him. This wasn't the first time he'd lashed out at her like that. He clenched his fists, remembering how he'd hurt her before-years ago, after her private video with her high school boyfriend had leaked.

Now he'd done it again.

He sighed and walked to her door, knocking gently. "Ivy, can I come in?"

A bitter voice replied. "Suit yourself."

Ryan stepped inside and saw Ivy packing her bags, her eyes still wet with tears.

"Where are you going?" he asked, frowning.

"None of your business," she snapped. "Just leave me alone."

"Come on, Ivy." Ryan softened his tone. "Don't be like this."

"Why do you care now?" Ivy shot back, tossing clothes into her suitcase. "You've already made it clear you think I'm pathetic."

Ryan hesitated, then let out a small chuckle. "I guess I was being an asshole."

Ivy looked up at him, her face a mixture of hurt and confusion. "You think?"

"I'm sorry, alright?" Ryan ran a hand through his hair, looking uncomfortable. "I'm just... dealing with a lot."

"Apology accepted," Ivy muttered, rolling her eyes. "Now get out."

Ryan sighed, standing by the door. "Look, I didn't mean what I said. Don't leave, okay?"

Ivy stared at him, her expression softening. "You really need to work on how you talk to people."

Ryan offered a weak smile. "I know. I'll try."

With that, he left her room, his mind now shifting back to the bigger problem at hand- telling Iris about the new terms. She'd never agree to this. And to be honest, he didn't want her around either. This was exactly what he'd always feared-being tied down in a marriage, chained by obligations.

But if he didn't get the empire... all his ambitions would go up in flames.

There has to be a way around this, he thought.

Later that night, Ryan poured himself a drink in his room, the whiskey burning as it slid down his throat. His thoughts swirled, growing darker with every sip. He wasn't even sure how he'd break the news to Iris.

Just then, he heard a noise. His senses sharpened as he set his glass down and grabbed his gun from the drawer. Moving silently, he stepped towards the inner room, where the noise had come from.

The door was slightly ajar, a shadow moving behind it.

Who the hell is in my room?

Heart pounding, Ryan aimed his gun at the shadow. "Come out," he growled.

No response.

He tightened his grip on the gun, his finger hovering over the trigger.

Suddenly, the figure moved, and Ryan fired.The deafening sound of the gunshot echoed through the room.