Chapter 5 Kingsley is mine

Kingsley's POV

Once I was alone in my penthouse, I sank into the nearest leather chair. The door had barely closed behind the last of my employees before the mask I wore all morning slipped off. I had kept it together in front of everyone-standing tall, speaking firmly-but now, with no one watching, I allowed myself to feel the crushing weight pressing against my chest.

Selena was gone. Truly gone. And it hurt more than I could have ever imagined.

I stared blankly at the city skyline, the dazzling lights blurred by the ache in my chest. The pain of her death came in waves, each one sharper than the last. Maybe it hurt more now because the reality had finally settled in. Maybe because pretending she meant nothing was easier than facing the truth.

This morning, I felt the sharp, sickening realization-she was gone forever. She had carried my child, and with her death, I lost them both. A child I would never meet. A family that would never be.

But grief wasn't the only thing twisting inside me. Anger. Rage. Betrayal. The image of her with another man flashed in my mind, burning like acid. I hated her for it. And yet, I missed her.

My hand reached for the nearest bottle of whiskey. The burn was harsh, but I welcomed it. I wanted the alcohol to erase everything-every memory, every feeling. But all it did was dull the edges, leaving the ache stubborn and strong.

I leaned back, staring at the ceiling, trying to drown out the echo of her name in my mind. Selena. My lover. My world. Where was she now? Was she watching me from somewhere beyond? Did she hate me for what I had done?

Guilt settled over me like a heavy fog. I had failed her. Worse-I had blamed her.

A voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. At first, it was faint, like a whisper. But then it grew louder.

"Kingsley..."

My name. Someone was calling me.

The door swung open without warning, and suddenly the bottle was snatched from my hand.

"That's enough!" Kathryn's voice was sharp, cutting through the fog in my mind. I scowled at her, fury bubbling beneath the surface.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I snapped, my gaze locking onto hers.

She didn't flinch. "Why are you doing this to yourself? Drinking alone, wasting away. You have an empire to run, Kingsley."

"Don't you dare lecture me," I growled, pushing myself up. But the room spun, and I steadied myself against the table. "Get out."

"I won't," Kathryn insisted, crossing her arms. "Not while you're like this."

My anger flared. I surged forward, grabbing her by the arm. "I said, get out."

Her eyes widened, but she didn't pull away. "You're hurting yourself, Kingsley. And you're pushing everyone away."

"Everyone?" I laughed bitterly. "Everyone left. Including her."

Kathryn's expression softened. "She didn't love you. She... she's gone. But you're still here. You have to live."

I released her, stumbling back. "What do you know about loss? About betrayal? About watching someone you love... choose someone else?"

Silence stretched between us. I saw the hurt in Kathryn's eyes, but I didn't care. I reached for another bottle, but she slapped it out of my hand.

"Stop hiding, Kingsley. You can't drink this away."

"I can try," I muttered.

She sighed, shaking her head. "I don't know what she did to you, but you can't let it destroy you."

"What she did to me?" I laughed again, a hollow, bitter sound. "She lied. She betrayed me. And yet... I can't forget her."

Kathryn's hand reached for mine, but I pulled away.

"Please, Kingsley," she whispered, her voice softer now. "Let me help you."

"Help?" I stared at her, empty. "There's nothing left to help."

Kathryn hesitated, then turned and left, the door clicking shut behind her.

I sank back into the chair, closing my eyes. But the darkness brought no comfort.

Only memories.

Kathryn's POV

I stumbled out of Kingsley's room, the door slamming behind me. My chest rose and fell quickly as I leaned against the wall, trying to catch my breath. My arm throbbed where his fingers had left marks, but I couldn't let anyone see. I had to hide it. Everyone expected perfection, especially now that I was meant to be his wife.

My mother's warnings echoed in my head, but I had ignored them all. I thought I could handle this-that I could make Kingsley see me, choose me, love me. But his rage was more than I expected. It scared me.

Still, I wasn't ready to give up.

Back in my room, I shut the door and walked to the mirror. My reflection showed a mixture of pain, fear, and burning determination. I covered the bruises with makeup, just like I had done so many times before. My hands didn't shake. Not anymore.

Selena had been a problem. But now she was out of the picture.

Or so I hoped.

What if she wasn't really gone? What if she came back, haunting him? Or worse-what if she became a memory too strong to erase?

I couldn't afford doubts. I had come too far for that.

I touched the small vial on my vanity-the last drops of the herbal tonic shimmered inside it. It was supposed to calm him, help him forget. But it seemed to make him angrier.

"I need a stronger one," I whispered, clutching the vial tightly. "He needs to see me. To want me."

I would make another tonic. Stronger, more potent. He would crave my presence, my touch. He would forget Selena.

"I won't stay invisible," I whispered to the mirror. "If life won't give me what I deserve, I'll take it myself."

I wasn't going to lose. Not to a memory, and certainly not to a ghost.

Kingsley was mine. And I was ready to do whatever it took to make him see that.