Chapter 4 Four

• KAI
• Leaving Crystal tonight feels like ripping my own heart out. But she asked me to go, and I saw the look in her eyes.
• She was trying to be strong.
• And I knew… if my father and grandfather were calling me back-to-back at this hour, something had to be wrong.
• Still, I can’t stop thinking about her.
• My mind loops back to when we first started dating in high school. How we used to sneak notes under the desk. How every dance, every birthday, every holiday since then has been wrapped in Crystal’s presence. She’s not just my fiancée. She’s my everything.
• I loved her before this marriage was arranged.
• But now? Now I’m afraid everything we built is crumbling.
• By the time I get home, I’m prepared for the worst.
• But strangely… everyone looks fine.
• My grandfather. My father. Even my mother. All three of them are seated like they’ve been waiting for me. Calm.
• “What gives?” I say, my eyes darting between them. “You pulled me from something important.”
• My grandfather leans forward. “Kai, listen carefully. You’re not marrying Crystal Denzel anymore.”
• My heart drops. My phone nearly slips from my hand.
• “What… did you say?”
• “I said what you heard,” he replies coldly. “Crystal is not the true Denzel heiress. She’s a maid’s daughter. Unfit to be your wife.”
• I laugh. I have to. This has to be a joke. “This is funny, right? Mom? Are you in on this prank?”
• My mother opens her mouth, but my father cuts her off.
• “This is no joke. It’s over, Kai. That girl is no longer an option.”
• “You can’t be serious,” I say, turning to all of them. “You know what she means to me. We’ve been together since we were children. She’s everything to me!”
• “She was raised in luxury, yes,” my grandfather says with a dismissive wave. “But she’s not their blood. The marriage was strategic. Now it’s useless.”
• “I don’t care about blood!” I shout. “She’s more of a Denzel than anyone else! She was groomed to lead, she’s strong, loyal—she’s perfect!”
• My father narrows his eyes. “Really? Then what about the real Denzel daughter? The one they just found?”
• I blink. “What are you saying?”
• My father stands. “You’re going to marry Alora. She’s the rightful heiress.”
• My breath hitches.
• “No. No, you can’t do this. We’re getting married in two weeks! The whole world knows!”
• “And now the whole world knows Crystal’s a fraud,” my grandfather says, voice sharp. “The drama at their mansion tonight? It was live-streamed. You’re trending for all the wrong reasons.”
• “This is insane.”
• “It’s reality,” my father snaps. “That girl’s mother was a criminal. If she were alive, she’d be behind bars. And you think we’ll let her daughter marry into our bloodline?”
• “But I love her,” I say again, quieter this time. “I’ve done everything you’ve ever asked. I’m running your companies. I’ve lived my life by your rulebook. But this? This is where I draw the line.”
• “You’re twenty-five,” my father says coldly. “You fell in love. That’s your mistake. This marriage was never about love. It was about alliances.”
• “You can’t force me to love Alora.”
• “You will,” he says. “You fell in love once, you can do it again. Alora is the true heiress. You will learn to love her.”
• My voice cracks. “Please. Please don’t do this.”
• My grandfather rises slowly. “You will marry her. That is final.”
• “And if I refuse?” I ask.
• He turns, eyes piercing. “Then we’ll replace you.”
• My stomach clenches. “Replace me?”
• “We have another heir. Your father’s mistress has a son. If you’re too foolish to do what must be done, we’ll choose someone who can.”
• My heart starts to pound.
• My mother stands up, panic in her eyes. She waits until they leave, then rushes over and grabs my hand.
• “Kai,” she pleads. “Please. Don’t throw away your legacy. You don’t know what it took for me to keep that woman away from our lives. If they replace you with her son...she’ll move in. She’ll win. I’ll lose everything.”
• I shake my head. “I’m sorry, Mom. I love you. But I can’t betray Crystal like this. I can’t.”
• She cups my face. “Then don’t. Just pretend.”
• “What?”
• “Just agree...for now. Two weeks is all you need. Say what they want to hear. Crystal’s wedding is around the corner. I like her, Kai. I’ve always liked her. I won’t let them take her from you.”
• My heart thuds.
• “We’ll buy time,” she whispers. “And you’ll find a way to protect your future without giving up on her.”
• I stare at her. “You’d help me?”
• “I’m your mother,” she says. “I will always be on your side. We will take everything that is rightfully yours, and then, no one in this family can control you anymore."
• I nod slowly.
• For the first time tonight… the weight starts to lift.
• Ten minutes later, I walk to my grandfather’s study.
• I knock once, open the door, and step in.
• Both men look up.
• “Fine,” I say. “I agree to your terms. I’ll marry Alora. The true Denzel heiress.”
• My grandfather smiles slowly.
• “Good. Spoken like a true Montgomery. In this family, we work with our heads. Not our hearts.”
• I don’t answer him.
• I just turn… and walk out.
• Feeling sick to my stomach.