Page 185 of Tarek

Dereck

She fucked me over. Even in death Ilyana gave me her last middle finger. I paced the library of my ancestral home watching her lawyer pack his briefcase in haste. He just finished reading her will. She could have taken all my money, all my stocks. Instead, she went for the two things that could break me. My son. And my woman.

The will is simple, cruel and fucking airtight.

If I have any contact with Miranda or my son at any point in the next 10 years, Tarek will be placed in the custody of Ilyana’s great aunt. She will have full guardianship of him. Additionally, if I have any contact with Miranda at any time in the next 20 years, Tarek will lose his trust she set up for him to receive at age 30. The money will instead be equally divided between, Henry and Carson. What the fuck!

I had millions but Ilyana had billions. If I so much as touch Miranda, Tarek will lose everything that was rightfully his.

I had my lawyers there for the reading of the will and they were frantically taking notes and whispering to each other. Trying to find a solution. But I know my wife, she was shrewd, manipulative and vindictive. This was a masterclass in revenge. The will is ironclad.

I walk to the window looking out at the back garden. My fists are clenched as I allow my rage to flow through me.

Ilyana’s death is a bittersweet experience. Piece of me feel like mourning her death, but then in moments like this I am happy she is gone.

I am happy I sent Tarek to Henry Banners house. He didn’t need to be here for this.

“What can I do?” I ask out loud staring out into the garden.

Someone cleared their throat. “Um, sir, we can review the will and look for loopholes.”

Loopholes? There were no loopholes. For another 20 years, I will be living in the shadows because of her rage. I wouldn’t be able to talk or hold my son. If I do, my second son will lose everything. Tarek deserves the world for the pain his mother placed on him.

“We are done here. Leave,” I dismiss the lawyers with a wave of my hand.

As the room emptied, I made a silent vow. For the next twenty years, I would wait patiently, biding my time. Because no matter how much Ilyana wanted to destroy me, she couldn’t take away my will. When the time comes, I will be ready, in the meantime the shadows and I will remain friends.

* * *

TAREK–9 months

“I think the weirdest thing, is where a girl is giving you head, and her eyes are bright and open.” Jasper flicks his nose. “Like, why do they do that?”

Cole chuckles. “I pass my palm over their face and tell them close their eyes.”

“Like a dead body with its eyes open?” Dax asks as he sips his drink.

“Weird little throat demons. That’s what they look like.” Jasper chuckles.

Cole replies, “Not all demons have horns. Now they wear tapes, with inflated breasts and bbl’s.”

I lean back into the velvet seat, watching one of my veteran performers do a burlesque.

“What’s your problem?” Cole shoves my shoulder lightly.

What was my problem? Oh, I don’t know, maybe the fact that my pregnant fiancée left me. Because I forgot to throw away some stupid chains.

Yeah, I am that asshole. The careless one. The fucking idiot who lost his family to a damn accessory.

“He and Penny are done,” Jasper whispers, gossiping like an old lady at church.

“For real?” Cole’s eyebrows shoot up. “How long?”

“About two weeks. So, it’s fresh,” Jasper whispers again like they are discussing a scandalous affair and not my actual life imploding.

Before Cole can say something, I stand. “I will see you guys next week.”

“Aww, come on. I was just about to give you great advice,” Cole replies.

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