Page 136 of Illicit Games

“Invited me to flaunt your relationship in my face?”

“Have a seat,” I civilly say. I’m sick of fighting with him.

He comes forward, pushes his hand inside his pocket, but doesn’t sit. “Why am I here, Kian?”

“We’re going to talk like we should’ve done years ago.”

He freezes, his shoulders bunching rigidly. “What is there to say? You were pretty clear the last time. Stay the hell away from your woman. Yet here she is.”

“Listen to what he has to say, Nathan,” Iris speaks up in a resigned tone. “You’ve wanted an explanation for so long. Don’t you think you’ve hated him for long enough? Both of you need this. Please. Just sit.”

I expect him to lash out or walk away. What I don’t expect is for her soft words to get to him, a little bit of ice in his veins fizzling out. Betraying that their friendship was genuine. Or perhaps it’s my wishful thinking.

I squeeze Iris’s hands in thanks when Nathan lowers to the chair across from us, crossing one leg over his other knee. “Go on. Tell me why you abandoned your family, brother.”

“I was thrown out by our father.” His brows pull together, turning flabbergasted when I reveal, “I’m your half-brother, Nathan. I’m Rakesh’s illegitimate son from an affair he had with his assistant.”

Deafening silence hangs among the four walls.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Nathan rumbles. “That’s impossible. Don’t you hear how far-fetched it sounds?”

“It’s the truth. Rakesh never wasted the opportunity to remind me every single day.” Tilting my head, I say, “We might have grown up in the same house with the same family, but our upbringing was as different as day and night. Heaven and hell.”

He abruptly stands, pacing back and forth. “Dad kicked you out because…”

“Because he never wanted me,” I finish. “The only reason he raised me was because of Grandpa. As soon as I was born, Grandpa stole me from my mother and threatened her so she’d walk away. He made Dad think she left me on his doorstep.”

“You knew this and never told me?” he seethes, eyes livid. Doubt begins to swirl as he raises a hand. “How do I know you aren’t lying? What’s the proof?”

Reaching into my drawer, I take out the diary and slide it to him. “This is my mother’s diary, which Rakesh hid in my childhood room. It has the account of his affair from the beginning.”

“I accidentally found this,” admits Iris. “On the first night you took me to your place for your parents' anniversary.”

His hardened face snaps in her direction. “How convenient.”

“We’re not making this up,” argues Iris.

I pat her arm, calming her down. “I gain nothing by telling you this, Nathan. I’ve been wanting to confess for quite a while. I didn’t before because I didn’t want to taint your world with my ugly past.”

He laughs, hollow and sad.

Ignoring it, I keep going. “I am telling you this so you realize that even if I wanted to come after your legacy, I never could. As for our father bullying you or meddling in how you rule the company, this is the ace you need to make him back down. We both know he would never risk a scandal, especially not the one that tarnishes his name.”

“It’s a piece of paper, Kian,” snaps Nathan, pointing at the diary. “Even if what you’re saying is true, he’d deny it.”

Iris and I glance at each other. Taking the hint, she walks out.

“Where is she going?” demands Nathan.

I rise from my chair. Both of us turn toward the door upon hearing the two pairs of footsteps approaching us. Iris and my mother appear in the doorway. My brother frowns at the new person.

“Nathan, meet my mother, Sonya.”

His head jerks back in utter shock.

My mother steps toward him with an affectionate smile. “Hello, Nathan. It’s so nice to meet you.”

Nathan remains speechless, gaze swinging between her and me. Probably looking for similarities. Suddenly, his demeanor changes as he realizes I’m not lying.