Now on stage, Ashari strode toward him.The sickening smell of her blood was erased by a sweet perfume.It surrounded Jediah completely, making his world spin as he saw flashes of his mother, then wife; wife, then mother; until reality struck and he refocused on the world around him.He stood more upright and carefully wrapped an arm around Ashari’s delicate waist, bringing her a bit closer so her body pressed against him.A series of flashes went off as she sagged against him, making him hold her tighter while still being careful.
A smile came on her face as she looked at Isley, whose smile had faded.Jediah’s throat tightened and his heart raced.He hoped it wasn’t so obvious how Ashari depended on him to stand.How’d she managed to walk this far by herself?Why did Bryony allow this?Angered by the thought, Jediah’s fingers dug into Ashari’s waist.
Her sharp intake of breath caused him to loosen his grip.Clearing her throat, Ashari spared the crowd a smile before telling Isley, “I had to change my dress because I had an accident.”
“An accident?”asked Isley, his smile back in place.“I hope it isn’t one that was too bad that’ll take Mr.Richardson’s focus away from such a special night.”
Ashari chuckled.“Of course not.If anything, it’s making it more special.For the both of us.”Ashari laid a hand on Jediah’s chest.He inhaled a long breath as she looked at him, not that he’d looked away from her in the first place.“Right, husband?”she asked, but Jediah didn’t reply.The corner of her mouth ticked upward before she looked at Isley.“I’m pregnant.”
Isley’s eyes widened, his mouth loosening.“Congratulations!”he exclaimed after recovering.Turning to the crowd, he demanded, “Let’s give them a round of applause, everybody.”
Loud cheers erupted in the crowd, paired with more flashes that were almost blinding.Ashari’s focus shifted to Jediah.She practically glowed while staring into his wide eyes.
Had he breathed since Ashari said those two words?He wasn’t sure.A throb was even beginning to develop in his head as the flashes continued.
Ashari laid a hand on his cheek, giving him a sly grin.“Smile, husband.Cameras.”
Jediah sucked in a breath.He laid one hand atop hers while the other dug into her waist.Disregarding how hard she stifled a grimace, he forced a smile and whispered through clenched teeth, “I’m going to kill you.”
“And the baby I just announced to the entire world that you have?”she asked, tipping to place her lips on his.
Jediah tasted blood as he returned Ashari’s gentle kiss.
“I heard what you did,” Reine said.
With his elbow still propped up on the armrest, Jediah stopped swirling his glass of rum in the air.He raised a brow at Reine’s statement while keeping his gaze on the photo of himself and his mother.“I do a thousand and one things every day.Be more specific,” he said before bringing his glass to his mouth.
Reine stomped over.She yanked the glass from his hand and slammed it onto the desk behind him, causing him to sigh.“Ash is pregnant!Mi know she been a hide fi the past three months, but how yu fi do dat to her?!”
His brows furrowed.“Spare her life?”
“Spare?She can barely walk, and Bryony have fi a wipe her down ’cause she ’fraid fi go wash off the rest a the dirt and blood!”
“I was going to have her killed.She should be thankful she’s still alive to live at my expense,” he muttered with a scowl.He spun the chair around and grabbed his glass.Tossing his head back, he drained the contents.
“Not even Daddy would do this,” Reine said, her voice cracking.
Coldness seeped into Jediah’s veins and raised the hair on his skin.His eyes narrowed into slits as they settled on his sister.Reine was seething so hard, her chest raised and fell at a rapid rate.His fuming little sister faded before his eyes as childhood memories forced their way to the forefront of his mind.
Jediah’s scowl deepened.His hands balled into fists atop his desk as he forced himself to his feet while yelling, “Don’ ever compare me to Kayon!Yu don’ know the real him!”
Reine glared back.“How me don’ know mi own father?He’s nothing like you!Now me a start fi understand why everybody hate yu behavior!”
“Hate me?”Jediah mocked
Reine’s glare deepened.“Yes.”
Jediah laughed dryly.“Mi have a great mind actually do something fi make yu hate me.”
“Wa you a talk ’bout?”Reine asked, her brows furrowing while she shook her head.“Don’ try change the topic from Ash—”
“Shut up!”Jediah boomed.
Reine gasped, her eyes widening.
“Get out,” Jediah hissed, panting while he sat.He reached for the bottle on his desk and refilled the glass.
“I’m going to the club.Weh Cameron?”