Page 39 of His Scarlette Obsession
Right?
I have to forcibly wrench my gaze away from her just so I can leave and do some actual work rather than continue spending every moment of the day watching Scarlette like stalking is my new profession.
On my way to the office at the rear of the plane, I’m informed by the staff that we’re only waiting for Arav. It’s unusual for the other man to be late, but I see no reason to be worried over it. Arav always has a reason for doing things, even when appearances may suggest otherwise.
Or so I used to think...until our chief steward knocks on my door twenty minutes later and proceeds to turn my world upside down.
“May I have a moment of your time, Your Highness?”
I gesture for him to come in. “Have a seat.”
The seatbelt sign flashes as Arav sits down opposite me. The pilot makes his usual announcement as we take off, and I’m given ample time to study the older man’s expression.
Something’s up, and it’s likely not good news.
“Just give it to me straight,” I say abruptly as soon as the seatbelt sign stops blinking.
“Your father had another reason for sending me to America.”
Something cold and sharp slides through my chest. “Go on.”
“Thirty-two years ago, His Majesty fathered a child with Lydia Fuller. Your mother’s best friend.”
What the hell?
“He did so while already in a relationship with your mother.”
Was this for real?
“Your mother discovered the affair when she was pregnant with you. She threatened to abort you if your father didn’t swear to cut all ties with Lydia and their son.”
I have a brother,I realize in shock.
An older brother.
I have a brother all this time.
“Your father complied. He tried to make amends with your mother, but she was consumed by bitterness and jealousy.”
Was he saying my mother had good reason to act the way she did?
“She spent years trying to shame him publicly, and he allowed it because he knew he had hurt her first—”
“What are you really saying here, Arav?” I can no longer hold my silence, can no longer control the inner chaos that makes my chest feel like it’s about to explode at any moment.
“Shortly after your parents’ return to Sharasa following their wedding, your mother arranged for certain threats to be issued to Lydia and her son. They agreed to have their deaths faked so that your father would see no reason to contact them.”
“So they’re still alive?”
“Lydia passed away fifteen years ago. Cancer.”
“And my older brother?” The words taste strange, and they have me jerking to my feet and turning my back to Arav. My hands clench and unclench against my sides as I grapple with my new reality.
An older brother.
I still don’t know what to feel or how Ishouldfeel about this.
“Your Highness?”
