Jake burst out of his mansion like a man possessed, ignoring the frantic shouts of his bodyguards. He didn't even glance back. His chest burned, his thoughts were a storm.
I'm sorry, Aurora. I couldn't tell you the truth. This is for your own good.
The memory of her soft voice echoed in his head her fears, her last words before he walked away.You might be right… this might be our last kiss. He gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. "God… what's waiting for me, I don't know," he muttered under his breath. "But one day… one day, you'll understand. This secret… these crimes… it's better you never know. Even if it kills me."
Every word tasted like blood on his tongue. Every thought of her face felt like a blade to his chest.His phone rang. He snatched it up. "What? "Sir," the investigator's voice came sharp and urgent. "It's confirmed. Miss Aurora… she's the long-lost daughter of Mr. William. The only heir to his empire. He never had another child, never adopted. It's like… it's like he always knew he'd find her."Jake's breath caught. "You're saying… my Aurora… is Hazel?"
"Yes, sir."
Jake closed his eyes, a twisted smile breaking through his turmoil. "Thank you. You've done well. I can't wait to see her face when I tell her I've found her real parents…" His voice dropped to a venomous whisper. "But first… I'll deal with Mark. I'll end him. Once and for all." He slammed the phone down and drove straight to Mark's headquarters.
Jake barged into the sleek, dimly lit office without knocking. "Mark." Mark leaned back in his leather chair, a smirk already curling his lips. "Hey, brother. Welcome. "Don't call me 'brother,'" Jake snapped, voice dripping with venom.Mark chuckled darkly. "Oh, but we are brothers, aren't we? Both killers. That makes us family… in the crime world."
"You know damn well I wasn't in my right mind that day. It was self-defense."
"But you still did it." Mark's eyes gleamed. Then his grin widened cruelly. "Besides, Scott, you seem to worship that maid you call a mother." Jake's jaw clenched. "Mind your tongue. You have no right to speak about my mother."Oh, relax. I'm just speaking the truth."
Jake's glare sharpened. "Show your face, Mark. Stop hiding behind your men."
A hand tapped Jake's shoulder from behind. He spun around and froze.
His worst enemy stood there, grinning.
"Stop staring. I know I'm handsome," the man mocked.
Jake let out a cold chuckle, but before he could react—
Mark's fist crashed into his face. The world blurred, and Jake's body slammed against the cold floor."Record everything," Mark ordered, his voice slicing through the air like a knife. "I want to remember this day forever."
Jake pushed himself up, his head pounding.
"Stand up, loser," Mark sneered. His laughter was wicked, echoing off the walls.Jake's teeth ground together. The word loser burned in his ears.
He surged forward, driving his fist into Mark's jaw with bone-cracking force. Mark stumbled, then lunged back.The room became a storm of fists and fury. Punch after punch, they tore into each other until neither face was recognizable blood smeared, swelling rising. The air stank of iron and rage.
Then—
A heavy clang.Jake screamed in agony as a searing pain ripped through his leg. He collapsed, clutching it. Charles stood over him, gripping a thick metal bar."So you think you're strong, huh?" Charles sneered. He brought the bar down again harder. Jake rolled, gasping, pain flooding his body.
Cough.
Blood dripped from Jake's mouth. "What… what did I ever do to you?" His voice cracked. "Why are you doing this? Answer me!"Mark didn't answer. Jake's chest heaved. "I've kept your biggest secret… all your illegal dealings… from your family. I could have destroyed you in a heartbeat, exposed everything, but I didn't. And this… this is how you repay me?" Mark's eyes went cold. "Oh, will you shut up….blurted Charles