BILLIONAIRES: Father or Son

Chapter One

 FLORA'S POV

I had spent nearly the entire day in the kitchen, sweating over a stove. This wasn't just any meal; this was the Kensington family memorial feast. Cooking was my therapy, my happy place—unless I was doing it for people who saw me as the human equivalent of a smudge on their designer shoes. But this time, I was determined to blow their heads off, even if they would probably still complain that the soufflé wasn't fluffy enough.

Jayden's family began to file into the dining room, taking their places around the long, intimidating table that looked like it belonged in some Gothic castle. Today marked the one-year anniversary of Mr. Kensington's passing, Jayden's grandfather. The old man had died of heart failure, though, knowing this family, I wouldn't have been surprised if he had faked it just to escape their company.

The Kensingtons were loaded—like, "buy a small island without blinking" loaded—and they had never accepted me as anything more than the gardener's daughter who somehow fumbled her way into their precious family. Why? Well, out of all the perfectly groomed sons-in-law and daughters-in-law they had, I was the black sheep, the odd one out—the one who made them choke on their caviar when I walked into a room. My marriage to Jayden was the result of an unfortunate series of events, mainly involving a scandal that rocked their pristine reputation. It was less of a romantic union and more of a "damage control" situation.

Jayden never loved me. I, on the other hand, had fallen for him harder than a clumsy waiter with a tray full of drinks. From the first moment I laid eyes on him, I was a goner. So, for three years, I lived in this marriage, holding onto hope and enduring their cold shoulders because I was too stubborn to let go of the dream.

Everyone had arrived, including some of the family friends who I was convinced were just there to gawk at the poor, unfortunate soul who dared marry into the Kensington clan. Everyone, that is, except Jayden. Of course, he wouldn't miss his grandfather's memorial. He had already missed our third wedding anniversary last week—oh, and when I reminded him, he said I was nagging. Classic. I stared at my phone, debating whether I should call him or just text him.

Just as the first course was served, Jayden sauntered into the room. My heart stopped immediately. It didn't stop because of Jayden, but because of the person beside him. He walked into the room arm in arm with his ex, Melissa Pembroke.

Melissa—the woman whose name sounded like a designer perfume and who looked like she stepped out of a fashion magazine. She was the daughter of one of Jayden's grandfather's business partners, and they had been an item before my "unfortunate incident" happened. Melissa left shortly after our marriage, but now she was here again like a bad sequel.

"Oh, my, oh my," Lisette, Jayden's mother, gasped, her voice dripping with fake delight as Jayden led Melissa to the table. "Look at you!" She practically launched herself out of her chair to hug Melissa, who was grinning widely.

I grabbed a glass of water and downed it like it was something stronger. The whole family treated me like I was the gum stuck to the bottom of their shoe, but Lisette—oh, Lisette—she took it to a whole new level. She hated me with the intensity of a thousand suns. I could hear her voice in my head, her favorite insult: "Even a college certificate doesn't make you worthy." She reminded me of this every time we met, which was probably why I had the urge to pour the water over my head and cool off.

"Oh, mother," Melissa cooed, her voice like syrup poured over sugar, "You look as beautiful as ever."

Lisette glowed as she kissed Melissa's cheek like she was her long-lost daughter. And Jayden—oh, Jayden—smiled as he pulled out a chair for Melissa right next to him, like they were filming some twisted rom-com. Not even a glance my way. I swallowed the lump in my throat, trying to keep my composure. Was this the reason he had slipped out of the memorial service early? To fetch Melissa, his golden girl?