Chapter 152

**Jane**

"Are you saying you intentionally approached me, Brody?" I asked my husband, confusion and hurt mingling in my voice.

"Yes, Jane. I know about your infatuation with Bronn four years ago. Jakob explained it to me in detail," he admitted.

"In that case, why did you marry me, Brody?" My mind raced, thinking he had used my admiration for his cousin to his advantage. Perhaps he made a deal with my father to keep me away from Bronn and Emily.

But Brody's following words caught me completely off guard. "Because I genuinely like you, Jane. I I'm the one who approved your application to the university in London as an exchange student."

I gasped in shock; the news hit me hard.

"I admit, I was still in a relationship with Sonia during that time," Brody continued. "She knew about my feelings for you and, believe it or not, encouraged me to pursue a relationship with you."

My face soured at his words. It made me face the truth about their so-called 'open relationship.' Sonia was his number one, and I couldn't help but think he might have seen me as just a backup.

Brody noticed my clenched fist on the table and felt compelled to explain.

"But I didn't approach you then. I didn't even try to talk to you because I knew you weren't that kind of woman," he explained, his words tumbling out faster now.

"I learned that you had a boyfriend, and I respected that. The next time we met was in Las Vegas... From Bronn and Jakob's parents, I learned that your father was making a deal with them. They thought of me because they didn't want to lose their relationship with the Cornell Family."

He took a deep breath before continuing, "I must admit that I needed a wife at that time. Many controversies were swirling around my personal and professional life, and I needed a wife from a prestigious family to present to the public. You had a good education, a good job, and came from a good family"

I wasn't hurt by that because no matter how twisted it sounded, my father was determined to arrange my marriage to someone he deemed worthy.

"I knew from the beginning that we would have a good relationship as husband and wife. You see, we are now in our fourth year of marriage. It hasn't all been easy, but we've built something real, haven't we?"

I flinched at his words, yanking my hand from his grasp as if burned. "But you ruined everything, Brody. You've been keeping things from me this whole time!"

Brody's face tightened, his lips pressing into a thin line. "I kept things from you, but I never cheated on you. I told you about my past with Sonia from the beginning."

"Brody" I squeezed my eyes shut. The circular nature of our argument was exhausting. Either I was missing something crucial, or he was utterly blind to my perspective. "Okay, is it normal for you to still support Sonia?"

"No, but I owe her family a great deal. Her father... he saved my life when I was young. I was kidnapped, and he was the officer who rescued me."

That was news to me. I didn't know that.

"I must admit, I was easily manipulated because of that."

A wave of mixed emotions hit me. After years of being manipulated and mentally abused by Madam Cornell, hearing that Brody had gone through something similar with Sonia made me stop and quiet my inner turmoil for a moment.

"You said you had an open relationship with Sonia," I said, curiosity getting the better of me. "How many other women were there besides her?"

"None," Brody replied firmly.

Well, that changed things. It meant that Sonia was the only one who had been involved with others while Brody was with her.

He continued, "We didn't agree on her last relationship, which led to our breakup. Truthfully, I never liked the open arrangement. I only accepted it because I didn't truly love her in the first place."

"Then why, Brody?" I wondered aloud. Why was Sonia complicating our marriage if he didn't care for her?

As if reading my thoughts, he pressed on. "Months ago, she ended her last relationship, needed a job, and tried to rekindle things with me. Of course, I declined! An open relationship is fine if everyone involved is aware of the situation. I only offered financial support because that was all I could manage without compromising our marriage."

"I didn't want to mix that drama into our relationship. You're the only real person in my world, Jane. You're my refuge from everything, the outlet for my frustrations, the listener to the good things in my life" He bowed his head, and I could feel the raw emotion in his words.

This was the first time I'd heard Brody express himself so openly, which shook me.

"But, Brody, how long do you plan to keep Sonia involved in our lives?"

"I don't plan to keep her in our lives, Jane."

"That's not how you've made me feel," I retorted, tears spilling down my cheeks. The circular nature of our conversation was tearing me apart. "You hurt my feelings."

"Please," he begged, his voice cracking. "Don't punish me for this. You won't see Sonia again, I promise. I've already warned her off. Please, Jane..."

I took a shaky breath. "I'll think about it, Brody."

He fell silent, the weight of my words hanging between us.

Part of me had already decided, but Brody's revelations had shifted my perspective. If I were to give him another chance, he'd need to prove he deserved it. My experiences with the Cornell family had hardened me, leaving deep scars. I couldn't-wouldn't-allow myself to be hurt like that again.

**Sarah**

Standing before the mirror, I carefully fastened my diamond earrings. My eyes drifted to the ornate invitation from my father lying on the dresser, the sight of it still sending a flutter of nervous anticipation through my stomach.

"Wow, Mommy! You look like a princess!" Rowan's excited voice came from the wardrobe doorway.

Philip soon peeked in, his broad smile warming my heart. With his gentle hands, he helped me fasten the stubborn clasp of my necklace. All four of us were invited to my father-Mr. Benner's-party at a fancy hotel in Los Angeles.

I wasn't sure if he genuinely wanted to meet Iris and Rowan, but Amir had assured me this was my father's attempt to mend our fractured relationship.

After the party, we planned to head straight to Dubai to visit Grandpa Mitchell.

"Daddy's super handsome too!" Iris chimed in, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Hmph! You're just saying that 'cause you want something from Daddy. I can see right through you!" Rowan teased. The two of them were starting to bicker again.

I laughed. Philip had a talent for spoiling us all and often made it hard for me to discipline the kids. But when I saw the love in his eyes as he watched them, I couldn't be too upset about it.

"Rowan, why do you have to be so annoying? It's supposed to be a secret!" Iris huffed, her cheeks flushing pink.

"Hmm And what does my little princess want to buy?"

Iris' eyes lit up, momentarily forgetting her irritation with her brother. "I want a unicorn, Daddy! A real one!"

I burst into laughter at her impossible request.

With smiles on our faces, we left Serenity Pines Estate and headed straight to the hotel.

I had no idea that the night would end in such a bloodbath...