Jessica’s eyes narrowed slightly in recognition as she stepped into the living room. So, they’ve returned, she thought, her expression calm but watchful.
Kane Clark, Jonathan’s eldest son, looked up as she entered. A flicker of confusion crossed his face as he asked, “And this is…?” His tone was measured, his uncertainty evident.
Jonathan chuckled warmly. “This is Jessica. Don’t tell me you don’t recognize her now.”
Kane’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Jessica?” he repeated, as though the name itself was difficult to reconcile with the poised woman before him.
Jessica offered him a small nod before shifting her attention to the woman seated beside him. “Libby,” she greeted, her tone even and composed.
Before her sat Kane Clark, his wife Libby Clark, and their son, Enzo Clark—a family trio she hadn’t seen in years. Kane and his sister Georgie were Jonathan’s children from his late first wife, whose passing had left a significant void in Jonathan’s life.
Jonathan’s remarriage to the much younger Grace had brought about a new chapter—and a new son, Ethan, Jonathan’s youngest. While Ethan had grown up at the family estate, Kane had spent much of his life abroad, rarely returning, and Georgie seldom visited, being settled in Soling with her own family.
Libby nodded back at Jessica, her expression a mix of surprise and careful restraint.
Enzo, however, couldn’t hide his reaction. His wide-eyed gaze was fixed on Jessica, his expression torn between amazement and admiration.
Jessica’s transformation was undeniable. Once overlooked and dismissed, she was now stunningly beautiful and radiated confidence.
“Jessica,” Enzo said, his voice carrying a faintly ambiguous undertone.
Jessica met his gaze briefly, her expression frosty, her disdain barely concealed. There was no warmth in her eyes as she regarded him. A scoundrel through and through, she thought with cold finality.
Enzo’s reputation was notorious. His exploits with women were well-known, with whispered rumors of several pregnancies quietly handled by Kane. In the past, he had dismissed Jessica entirely, meeting her presence with nothing but condescending eye rolls.
Kane opened his mouth to say something, but before he could speak, the butler’s voice echoed from the hallway. “Ethan has returned.”
The announcement shifted the air in the room. Kane’s expression remained neutral, but a subtle tension flickered in his eyes, briefly betraying his thoughts.
Moments later, Ethan entered. His stride was steady, his expression calm, and his demeanor utterly unfazed by the sight of Kane and his family. It was clear he had anticipated their presence.
Kane rose to his feet first, offering a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Ethan, you’re back.”
Ethan’s response was as sharp as a blade. His gaze was piercing, and his voice held an unmistakable edge. “Why are you back?”
A heavy silence descended upon the room, the tension palpable.
Three years ago, the rivalry between Ethan and Kane had culminated in a bitter power struggle. The outcome had been decisive—Kane’s defeat had forced him into an unceremonious exile abroad.
Kane’s face stiffened, his gaze darkening, but he said nothing. It was Libby who finally broke the silence, her tone smooth yet calculated.
“Kane has been having health issues,” she explained, her voice carrying a rehearsed sincerity. “He even underwent surgery recently. And with Jonathan getting older, Kane thought it was time to spend more time with him.”
Jonathan turned to Kane, his brows furrowed with concern. “You had surgery? What happened?”
Kane sighed, his tone feigning weariness. “It wasn’t anything serious, Dad. Just a minor procedure. I’m fine now, but I won’t lie—it reminded me that I’m not as young or strong as I used to be. I’m not like Ethan. At my age, even a small surgery feels like an ordeal.”
Kane paused, glancing around the room with a carefully crafted expression of vulnerability. “That’s why I’ve decided not to return abroad to Griyh Crait. I want to stay here and take care of you, Dad. From now on, this is where I belong.”
His words hung in the air, casting a quiet pall over the spacious living room.
Ethan’s eyes remained locked on his brother, his expression unreadable but his jaw subtly tightening.
Jessica, standing slightly apart from the group, observed the exchange with quiet scrutiny. She could sense the undercurrents in the room—the unspoken tension, the layered intentions behind Kane’s declaration.
The room remained silent for a moment longer, the weight of Kane’s words lingering heavily between them.