BILLIONAIRE'S UNINTENDED BRIDE

Chapter 48: Battles For The Future

Chapter 48: Battles For The Future

LUKE

As I drove through the city's quiet streets to my office, my mind was a tumultuous sea of memories and emotions. The evening at the restaurant with Emily had started beautifully, but it ended in a way I'd always dreaded. Seeing him there, my father, was like opening a door to a past I had fought hard to lock away.

I glanced at the empty passenger seat, recalling Emily's face as we left the restaurant. The pain of lying to her was a sharp knife twisting in my gut. Telling her my father was just a former business colleague felt like betrayal. Each word was a lie, a deceit I was forced to spin because I was terrified of losing her. She was my light in a life that had been too long overshadowed by darkness, and I couldn't bear the thought of that light being extinguished.

My father, a man who had perfected the art of destruction, seemed hell-bent on ruining any shred of happiness I found. His hatred towards me knew no bounds, his presence a constant reminder of a childhood marred by abuse and fear. And now, after years of strained silence, he had slithered back into my life.

At 3 AM, his messages had jolted me awake, summoning me to a meeting I couldn't ignore. Knowing Emily would worry, I had instructed the office security to misinform her if she called. The last thing I wanted was for her to come face-to-face with the devil himself.

I reached the office building, my heart pounding in anticipation and dread. There he was, sitting in my chair, exuding arrogance. His smug greeting, "Son, come and greet your father properly," only fueled the anger simmering within me.

"Get out of my chair," I demanded, my voice a low growl, my hands clenched into fists at my sides.

His chuckle was a dark sound, full of malice. "Ah, always so defiant, just like your mother," he taunted, enjoying the control he had over my emotions.

I fought to keep my composure as he casually mentioned my mother, a trigger for the painful memories of my childhood. Memories of hiding, of seeking escape from his tyranny. "I'm not that scared child anymore," I shot back, trying to maintain a façade of strength.

He stood up, a sinister smirk on his face. "Really? Because you look pretty scared to me right now."

I couldn't hold back my anger anymore. "What the fuck do you want from me, huh?" I spat, the words laced with venom. I wanted to leave, to escape his toxic presence before I did something I'd regret.

"I know it's not money you're after. The only reason I agreed to meet with you is to talk about Sébastien. Where is he?" I demanded, my voice thick with frustration.

He laughed, a sound that sent chills down my spine. "Oh, Luke, forget about your brother Sébastien. I told you he's dead, I killed him. Now let's talk about you. I know more than you think. I know every secret you thought you buried."

I knew in my gut Sébastien wasn't dead. My father had been spinning that lie for years. Sébastien was alive; I was sure of it. My father wouldn't kill him - not out of love, but because he needed Sébastien, probably entangling him in his criminal endeavors.

I stared at the man who called himself my father, a whirlwind of emotions battling inside me. I had to find out more about Sebastián, but facing the man responsible for so much pain was tearing me apart.

My fists clenched involuntarily as his taunts sliced through my defenses. "You're delusional if you think you have any power over me," I spat back, my voice laced with scorn.

He stepped closer, his voice a venomous hiss. "Oh, but I do, don't I? After all, I'm the one who made you who you are." His words were like poison, meant to weaken and control.