All Chapters of MARRIAGE PACT: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

Kai's POV "Say that again, Ethan," I growled, my fingers clamping onto the edge of my desk. My jaw clenched as I waited for him to repeat words that had already set my pulse racing wildly. The silence had stretched long, but when the words did come, Ethan sounded distinctly uncomfortable. "The boy. He was born in New Zealand two years ago. His birth certificate lists Michael Hartmann as the father." My fist came up onto the desk before I could catch it. It made a resounding thud that bounced back into the silent room. "You're telling me Zara gave birth to a boy and didn't feel that was something important enough to mention to me?" "That's exactly what I'm saying," Ethan replied evenly, though I could hear the hesitation in his voice. "The child is with Michael's cousin. I have the address." I closed my eyes, breathing in deeply, trying to restrain the storm inside me. She lied to me. She told me he was dead. My mind coursed through the possibilities. What kind of twisted game was

Kai's POV I sat in my study-the soft glow of the lamp on my desk, the only light in the room. It was dead silent, with only the irregular tick of the clock on the wall breaking the stillness. My eyes flickered toward the envelope that lay on the desk, its edges slightly shaking under the weight it carried. Madam Tess entered quietly, carrying a tray with a glass of scotch. "The envelope from Ethan arrived earlier today," she said in that still, calm tone of hers; though her eyes told a whole different story. "Leave it there," I said, nodding toward the desk. I sounded colder than I knew, but the disposition to soften it just wasn't there. I nodded, setting down the drink and envelope, before beating a retreat for the door. A glance over my shoulder before I went did seem in order. "Whatever it is, sir, I hope it brings you clarity." Clarity. A commodity I hadn't enjoyed for years. It glowered at me, a silently hurled challenge. My hand moved to it much more slowly, sliding the kn

Zara’s POV The thick silence of the room, after all the board members had been dismissed, made the air almost unbearable. Those who remained were those that counted toward this confrontation: Kai, Michael, Jacob, Mr. Klein, Lena, and me. I felt the weight of their gazes upon me-Lena in her confusion, Jacob in his calm resoluteness, Michael in steadfast support, Mr. Klein in feigned nonchalance, and Kai piercingly amused. Kai was the first to speak, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. “Well, Zara, it seems you’ve set quite the stage. What now?” I took a step forward, my pulse racing but my expression calm. “Now, the truth comes out—every last piece of it.” Mr. Klein leaned back in his chair, the smirk concealing something more unease in his eyes. "Truth is such a subjective concept, don't you think?" I turned my back to him, turning to Lena instead. She looked just so lost, so totally bewildered by everything that had happened. My heart was out for her, but this wa

Zara's POVThe world contracted, and I breathed shallowly; all the little noises around me sounded muffled. And then, in the eye of my brain was Kai's smirk, the cruel confidence etched in his features-because it reminded me just what futile position I find myself in with him: he has my son, and he knows that.Teeming with warmth from the multitude of members, with facial masks of confusion and curiosity while the room filled in, my stepfather Mr. Klein finally reached an upright pose, his mask of control mixed with charm upon his face, though it was faintly shaded over by some unease which danced through his eyes.Kai let out this calm, yet strong and clear voice from the back: "Now that is off our back, let us resume."He turned to Mr. Klein, who gave him less than a nod of acknowledgement. My stepfather moved forward; his voice was like silk-slow, cultured, calculated. "Ladies and gentlemen, please-I do apologize for this misunderstanding just now. It was about something very perso

ZARA'S POVThick tension filled this small café where Michael and Jacob sat opposite me at the corner table with grimness twisting faces, thoughts whirring internally. It had been quite a weighty last 24 hours, and with every more passing moment, terror has not stopped growing inside. Kai had them cornered-but he couldn't win.I drummed my fingers on the table, fighting to tie myself back. My mind wove an endless cycle of images: my son's innocent face, his safety."We need to move fast," Michael finally said, slicing through my spiraling thoughts. "Kai's got the upper hand right now, but that doesn't mean we can't turn the tide."Jacob leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. Anger shadowed across his face. "You are right, but we need a bit more than accusations, man. We need something to bring him down-hell, something concrete."I nodded, much steadier than I thought my voice was. "Kai survives on control. If he knows he's being made for what he truly is, he won't be in any po