Chapter 4 Selena is dead

Kingsley's POV

Was this really how a mother should behave? I had opened up to her and shared the pain that had been eating away at me, yet all she did was stare at me with cold, judgmental eyes. It felt like my words hadn't even reached her.

"Mother... why won't you say something?" I asked, my voice shaky. I was desperate for any sign of comfort or support, but she just sat there in silence, her face a mask of disappointment. Her eyes seemed to burn into mine. When she finally spoke, her words hit harder than I expected.

"What do you expect me to say?" she snapped, her voice sharp. "Didn't I warn you about that woman? I told you from the beginning she wasn't right for you, but you ignored everything I said. You chased after her like a fool."

Her words cut deep, but I tried to stand my ground. "But she's still the one I want," I said softly, barely hearing myself over the pounding in my head.

"Don't be a Fool Kingsley. She never had anything good to offer but Kathryn on the other hand, her family is wealthy. Marrying her gives us so much, don't you see that?"

I looked away, confusion and guilt swirling in my chest. "I told the doctor to end the pregnancy," I admitted quietly, my voice full of regret. "I couldn't let the rumors spread. I had to take control of the situation."

"Rumors?" she scoffed. "Those weren't rumors. That was the truth. She's carrying someone else's child."

Her words reopened the wound I was trying to close. The image of Selena with someone else flashed through my mind, fueling the anger that hadn't left since I found out. That man would pay. I would make sure of it.

"Please, Mother. I don't want to hear any more," I whispered, exhausted. "I've made my decision. Kathryn will be my fiancée in four days."

It still felt surreal how quickly everything had changed. After discovering Selena's betrayal, I had quickly proposed to Kathryn. I didn't understand what even pushed me to do it.

My mother's expression softened. She stepped closer and gently placed a hand on my cheek. "I'm proud of you, Kingsley. You're doing what's best for you and for the company."

Even with her approval, I couldn't shake the emptiness in my chest. I nodded, stepping away from her touch. "I need to take care of a few things," I said, turning and walking toward my office. My thoughts were a storm that I couldn't calm.

"Took you long enough," Leo, my right-hand man, said the moment I stepped into the office.

"What's wrong now?" I asked, not in the mood for his usual sarcasm.

"A lot, Kingsley," he replied, his voice serious. "Why would you have Selena's pregnancy terminated? You know she would never betray you like that."

I stopped in my tracks. "Don't ever mention her name again," I growled, the anger in my voice rising. Leo immediately nodded, understanding the weight of my words.

"Understood," he said quietly. "But you should know, she didn't survive the procedure. She passed away... during the procedure."

My heart skipped, but I pushed the emotion away. I couldn't afford to let it control me. "Okay," I said coldly. "I have bigger things to deal with than a betrayal."

Leo looked at me for a long moment before nodding and leaving. I stood there, alone, my thoughts racing. The engagement ceremony was coming up fast, and I needed to prepare.

Kathryn's POV

"Kingsley," I said, crying as I entered his office, fake tears streaming down my face. I made sure to appear as devastated as possible.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice full of concern as he stood up to face me. His genuine worry only made my act more believable.

"It's Selena," I sobbed. "The doctor couldn't save her. She... she's gone. So is the baby."

Kingsley didn't react the way I expected. "Yeah, I know," he said quietly. "Leo told me."

His indifference surprised me, but in a good way. If he wasn't mourning her, then there was nothing left to worry about.

"The funeral arrangements are being handled," he added. "You'll be officially named my fiancée in four days."

I stepped closer and kissed him, using all my charm to make the moment feel real. He didn't pull away.

"I guess I should start getting ready," I said, pretending to hesitate. But as soon as I left the room, I rushed to tell Syra-the one who had helped me make all of this happen-that everything was going as planned.

---

Third Person's POV

"Mr Kings!" Leo rushed into the office, his face pale from running.

"What is it now?" Kingsley asked, frustrated with the interruption.

"It's the body-Selena's body. It's gone. We can't find it anywhere."

Kingsley's brow furrowed. "What do you mean it's gone?"

Leo looked between Kingsley and Kathryn. "It disappeared. We were preparing it for burial, and then... it was just gone."

"But you said she was dead," Kathryn snapped, her voice filled with disbelief.

"She was," Leo insisted. "I checked myself."

"Then why are we panicking over a missing body?" Kathryn asked, coldly. "She's dead, and that's all that matters."

Kingsley turned to Leo. "Send a search party. I want that body found. Now."

Leo nodded and rushed out.

The room fell silent, and Kingsley looked tense. I reached for his arm to offer comfort, but he pulled away.

"What's wrong?" I asked, my voice full of concern.

"It's nothing. You should go," he said, avoiding my gaze.

"If that's what you want," I replied, my voice cool. I left the room, closing the door behind me.

For a brief moment, I thought I had won. But now, I wasn't so sure. Kingsley was still thinking about Selena. His heart wasn't fully mine yet.

Still... she was gone. I was certain of that. Everything I had worked for was finally falling into place.

And I wasn't about to let one missing body ruin it.