Page 258 of Hateful Games

“Find out how he died and just how close he was to Mihir. I want to know everything about him,” I say. Since I take whatever Mihir says with a grain of salt, I want to confirm if it was the heart attack that killed his brother or not. “What about the wife and the sister? Any incidents with them?”

“None,” he replies. “I did find something else.”

My brows draw together as a sinking feeling sets in. “What?”

“Mihir had a paternity test done.”

“For Rosalie?”

“Both daughters.” His expression is grim. “Jasmine isn’t his.”

Never in a million years I could’ve predicted that. It leaves me even more flabbergasted. Because Mihir’s abuse toward Rosalie doesn’t make sense. At the same time another foreboding sensation crawls up my spine. “Whose is she?”

“Nobody but Lily Kapoor knows that.”

The information makes me freeze, while the sinking sensation intensifies. Because it can only mean one thing. If my gut proves right, then it’ll be the final straw that’ll break my marriage.

The truth won’t set us free, it’ll obliterate our reality.

Yet, fickle hope flares to life. One I’ve never dared to dream. For the first time in my life, I want to be wrong. I want to believe men like me deserve a chance at happiness. That my destiny isn’t corrupted by the sins of the past.

Meeting Zenith’s gaze, I take the risk. Instead of burying secrets that are better left in the dark.

“I need you to do one more thing.”

Chapter Sixty-six

Nova

Somehow, I manage to make it through the rest of the day without obsessing over the depressing meeting with Zenith or the impending doom. I don’t know what I’ll do if the truth isn’t in my favor. However, I do know one thing I most surely won’t do.

It’s letting Rosalie slip away.

We’ll deal with the fallout together.

Until the time comes, I’m going to enjoy every moment with her and gain her trust. Show her I’m not the same man who made her life hell, fueled by misplaced anger and distrust.

The second the clock strikes six in the evening, I stand from my chair and switch off my laptop. Exiting the office, I decide to pick dinner on my way since our cook will be back tomorrow. On my way down in the elevator, I call the Italian restaurant Rosalie loves and place an order.

My car beeps when I press the key fob. It purrs to life when I settle behind the wheel and pull out of the parking lot. Despite the rush hour, I reach the restaurant quickly and pick dinner up. Our house is only twenty minutes away but the speed in which I drive, I’m there in ten.

My impatience is everything to do with my wife.

However, as I unlock the front door of the house and step inside, it’s eerily silent and dark. I expected chaos. But there’s no explicit music drifting down the hallway. Nor the tapping noise of the little monsters sprinting to greet me.

Is she not home yet?

I saw her car parked outside so I know she must be around.

“Rose?” I call out, loosening my tie. Only my voice echoes back.

Walking toward the library, I search there but it’s empty. Her closed laptop is sitting on the couch in the corner. So is her phone and Kindle. None of it is a good sign. Worry settles in mixed with the urgency to find her. Just as I step back out into the hall, I’m shocked to see Bunny trotting toward me.

Halting at my feet, he nudges my knee with his head like Maggie does.

“Hey, Bunny.” I pat his head and nuzzle behind his ears. My chest tightens when he leans into my touch. My curiosity is satisfied that he’s finally called a truce between us.

My happiness doesn’t last long, though, when he lightly traps my hand in his mouth and tugs. I realize he’s asking me to follow him. Becoming impatient, he barks and pulls at my pants.

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