Watt's POV

I have made a lot of mistakes in my life.

Big ones. Stupid ones.

The kind of mistakes you think about at two in the morning when you can’t sleep, replaying every wrong move like a bad movie on repeat.

But this…

This wasn’t just a mistake.

It felt like a suicide mission.

Because the moment I saw her — my Julian — stepping onto that podium, head slightly bowed but still carrying herself with that stubbornness I’d once loved and hated equally I knew I’d destroyed the only good thing I’d ever had.

Julian Blackwood.

Blackwood.

I tasted the name like poison in my mouth, each syllable sinking in deeper until I could barely breathe. The whispers in the room spread like wildfire as cameras and microphones suddenly appeared on the scene— “Did you know?” “That’s Asher’s sister.” “Impossible, isn’t it?” “How long has it been since you saw them?”

And me? I just stood there like a damn fool, staring, hurting, gaping.

I’d always known she had secrets. Always. The way she’d hide certain parts of her life, the way her eyes would blink too fast whenever I asked about her family… I dismissed it as just shame. Or maybe pride.

But nothing ever came as close to this.

To the fact she…she'd always been a Blackwood.

I gripped the edge of the champagne bar, my knuckles turning white from how hard I held on.

That was my wife.

My ex-wife, yes, but she still had that title attached to her name. Something that showed that she was mine.

But now she was standing next to them. To him.

God, not him.

The thought alone was enough to have me leaning over a wall to catch my breath.

We used to be friends once. Best friends, in fact. Before everything. Before the betrayal that year. Before we’d turned from best friends to rivals.

And now he had Julian?

Oh, hell no. I wasn't about to lose another thing to Asher Hudson.

I wasn't about to lose another good opportunity to be rising above his level.

With that said, I didn’t bother wasting another second. I left the gala before the speeches were over, before the leaching socialites in colorful gowns could corner me for gossip because…I knew exactly where I’d find him.

*****

The Blackwood estate was lit like a fortress when I pulled up. Armed guards lined around at the gates, eyes tracking even the slightest movements around the property.

My eyes moved to the dark corners besides them, staring at the hidden cameras that watched from the blind spots.

I laughed, the sound cold and bitter. I'd always known Asher to have a thing for tech, but I didn't think he'd be this smart.

There was no sneaking in for me. Not with this kind of set-up.

So, I stepped out, holding my arms out in surrender as the guard recognized me — unfortunately — and after minutes of a tense phone call with whoever was on the line, they finally let me through.

My car rolled up the long, winding driveway until I was staring at the very front door I’d been dreading for years.

I gulped when Asher suddenly appeared on the doorway, he didn’t look surprised to see me.

He looked… annoyed.

“Watt,” he said, voice cold and dark, hands in his pockets like he was bored already. “To what do I owe this unpleasant visit?”

I stepped out of the car, slamming the doors shut, and walked close enough to look up at him to the top stairs.

My jaws clenched. I see he was cutting straight to the point here. Might as well do the same as well. “Well, I’m here for Julian.”

His expression didn’t change — not really — but his eyes darkened even more. And that was enough to tell me I’d hit a nerve.

“She’s not yours anymore,” he said, his tone more calmer than before. Something about it sent a brief chill down my spine. “She never was.”

I stepped forward, anger burning through my voice. “We were married for six years, Asher.”

“You were a parasite for those six years,” he corrected, his lip curling up into a cold grin. “Don’t rewrite history now.”

My jaw clenched, but I forced the words out. “I don't think I made it clear, Asher. I mean, I want her back.”

A brief, humorless laugh rolled off his lips— the kind of laugh that usually made my skin crawl whenever he was ready to ruin someone, “You want her back? That’s adorable, Watt. But unfortunately for you, she’s already mine. I don't give what's mine out.”

I blinked, confusion and anger mixing as one. “She’s your sister, Asher! She shouldn't be a big deal!”

Something flickered in his gaze — something that looked daring and dangerous. “I know exactly what she is to me, Watt.” He tipped his head up as he glared down at me. “She’s not only my stepsister, but she's carrying my child. Two things you should never think of laying your fingers on.”

I stared at him, dumbfounded. “You’re lying.”

“I don’t lie. You know that, Watt.” he said with a chuckle, eyes locking on mine with an intensity that made the air between us feel even heavier. “Let me say that again for you, friend. Julian is pregnant. With my child. And nothing — not family, not you, not anyone — is going to take that from me. Get out before I have your blood spilling over my floors!”

For a second, the world spun around me as I stumbled back in shock. Pregnant. My Julian. Carrying his — no.

No, no, no.

I searched his face for any trace of amusement, a smirk, his usual chuckles— something that told me this was all an elaborate game of his. But Asher Hudson didn’t play games with the truth.

Not with matters like these.

I swallowed hard, feeling my stomach twist into knots as realisation dawned on me.

If all these were true, then I’d already lost her.

But if it wasn’t… then he’d just declared war on me.

Either way, the burning hatred in his eyes was clear.

I’d seen it before. Years ago, when we stood on opposite ends of a deal gone bad, both of us knew there’d be no going back after that day. He hadn’t forgiven me ever since then.

And I don't think he ever will.

And honestly? I didn’t give a damn about his forgiveness.

I only cared about Julian.

I was going to get her one way or the other.

With a clenched fist, I gave Asher one last look and turned around to move into my car, the sound of my engine filling the atmosphere as I moved out of the gardens, cursing under my breath.

I was halfway out of the estate when I saw someone I wasn't quite expecting.

Regina.

Standing at the sideway like she’d been waiting for me at that very moment. Still dressed in the gown from earlier, every curl of her hair intentional to make you take another look, every movement dripping with the kind of calculated elegance I’d always distrusted.

She was beautiful, yes, but she was…dangerous.

“Watt,” she said in her usual seductive tone, her lips curving into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I heard you were here.”

“Not for you,” I replied flatly.

“Of course not,” she said, unbothered. “But maybe… we have something in common after all.”

I frowned and scoffed, “I doubt it.”

“Oh, I think you’ll find we do.” She stepped closer, lowering her voice so the nearby staff wouldn’t overhear. “You want Julian back, don't you? Well, I want Asher.”

I studied her for a long moment, my instincts screaming that this was trouble wrapped in silk. But then again… trouble was my specialty.

“Aren't you two a thing?” I asked, suspicious of her motives.

“Well, it's complicated.”

“And why,” I asked slowly, “would I work with you?”

“Because,” she said, tilting her head with a knowing smile, “together, we both get exactly what we want. You get your ex-wife. I get my husband — all to myself. A win-win situation for both of us, don't you think?”

Her eyes gleamed with something dangerous, and I realized she wasn’t just proposing a plan.

She was proposing one of her outrageous schemes.

And maybe… maybe I was ready to take back what was mine by whatever means possible.