KING OF NEW YORK

CHAP12. Conséquences

**Chapter: Unraveled Confessions**

Aisha Sunak-Materazzi sat at a small café in the heart of New York City, stirring her tea absentmindedly, her thoughts spiraling. Across from her, Sean Chang, Lee’s younger brother, leaned back in his chair, observing her. He had invited her to this meeting, a casual "catch-up" as he had framed it, but Aisha knew Sean was rarely casual about anything. Something was brewing beneath his calm demeanor.

“So,” Sean began, his voice cutting through her haze of thoughts, “I heard about Alina. That must have been quite a shock, learning she’s pregnant.”

Aisha’s hand froze mid-stir, and she felt her chest tighten. She hadn’t expected Sean to bring up Alina so directly. A moment passed before she could even gather her words. “Pregnant… yes,” she whispered, swallowing hard. “And to think that it could have been Lucas’s child… It’s just… confusing.”

Sean raised an eyebrow. “Confusing? How so?”

Aisha hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But this was Sean, the one person who always seemed to have a knack for unraveling the mess others were too afraid to face. He wouldn’t judge her, she knew that much. “It’s just… Lucas and I—we’ve never…” She trailed off, biting her lip.

Sean leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. “Never what?”

Aisha blushed, feeling a strange mix of embarrassment and relief at finally saying it out loud. “We’ve never been intimate. Not once, since the wedding.”

There. It was out. The truth she had been hiding from everyone, including herself. Sean’s eyes widened slightly, but he said nothing, giving her space to continue.

“We sleep in the same room sometimes, mostly so the housekeeper won’t catch on and feed the tabloids. But other than that… nothing. And it was fine at first, because I thought maybe he was just giving me time. But now… now I’m starting to wonder if there’s someone else.”

Sean frowned, his mind working through the pieces. “Lucas has always been surrounded by women,” he said carefully. “But to be honest, it’s strange. I would’ve thought by now you two would’ve gotten closer, especially after the wedding.”

Aisha shook her head, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “That’s what I don’t understand, Sean. He’s always charming in public, playing the part of the perfect husband. But when it’s just us? It’s like he’s completely checked out. And now, with Alina being pregnant…” She paused, the pain evident in her voice. “What if Lucas is still in love with her?”

Sean considered her words, tapping his fingers on the table. He had always been good at reading people, and Aisha’s vulnerability was something he didn’t expect. He knew Lucas had always been a complex figure—charming yet distant, especially in personal relationships. But hearing Aisha’s confession confirmed something he had been suspecting for a while.

“Do you think he might be involved with someone else?” Sean asked, his voice gentle but probing.

Aisha sighed. “I don’t know. I’ve thought about it a lot. Maybe it’s Danny, his assistant? They’re always together, and she’s the closest person to him right now.”

Sean shook his head, a small smirk appearing on his face. “Danny? No, I don’t think so. Liam mentioned to me that she’s gay, and Lucas probably knows that too. That wouldn’t make sense.”

Aisha felt a wave of relief wash over her, but it was short-lived. If it wasn’t Danny, then who? Was there someone else Lucas was hiding? Or was it something else entirely?

Sean leaned closer, his tone shifting to something more serious. “I have an idea, Aisha. If you really want to know where Lucas’s heart lies, there’s a way to find out.”