124

124

JOEL'S POV

The air was thick, humid, stifling as I paced my apartment, my fists clenched, my mind whirling. I’d given Vivian everything—every ounce of my loyalty, my energy, my commitment—and in return, she had tossed me aside like I was nothing. I’d been working toward this plan with her for months, putting up with her schemes and manipulations because I thought I had a place in it. But now I’d found out that she’d cut me out of the deal with Kane, out of the plan to take Zara.

Vivian had been careful to keep this from me, probably hoping I’d back off if I felt dismissed. But she’d underestimated me. I’d found out through a mutual contact who owed me a favor, and the rage that had built since then was something I hadn’t known I was capable of. The betrayal stung, and I wanted answers.

Without thinking, I grabbed my keys and stormed out, barely aware of the distance as I drove to her place. My thoughts circled around one thing—making her understand that she couldn’t treat me this way, that I wasn’t some pawn she could just discard.

When I arrived at her building, I took the stairs two at a time, my breath coming fast, my fists already clenched at my sides. I didn’t care about politeness; I pounded on her door, each knock echoing through the hallway. I wanted her to feel that same fear she’d made me feel, that helplessness she’d tried to impose on me.

After a few moments, the door opened a crack, and Vivian’s face appeared, her expression shifting from surprise to irritation.

“Joel,” she said, her voice dripping with annoyance. “What are you doing here?”

I didn’t answer. Instead, I shoved the door open, pushing past her and storming into her apartment. She barely had a chance to react before I turned to face her, my eyes blazing.

“Did you think I wouldn’t find out?” I hissed, my voice low, dangerous.

She frowned, crossing her arms. “Find out about what?”

“Don’t play dumb, Vivian. You cut me out. You and Kane went behind my back, and you thought I’d just sit around and let you get away with it?” My voice was rising, each word filled with the anger and resentment that had been building since I’d learned the truth.

Her face hardened, her gaze cold. “Joel, you were out of control. I needed someone I could rely on, and you made it clear that you couldn’t be trusted.”

I took a step closer, the fury boiling over as her words sunk in. “You needed someone you could control, you mean. That’s all this has ever been about for you. You don’t care about anyone but yourself.”

She scoffed, rolling her eyes. “You’re making this into something it’s not. You couldn’t keep it together, and I wasn’t about to let you ruin everything I’ve worked for.”

Her words were like gasoline on a fire, and before I knew it, I’d grabbed her by the shoulders, my fingers digging into her skin. “You think you can just cut me out like I’m nothing? Like I haven’t been part of this from the start?”

Vivian tried to pull away, her face twisted in anger and something else—a flicker of fear that gave me a twisted sense of satisfaction. For once, she wasn’t in control.

“Let go of me,” she spat, trying to wrench free from my grip. But I didn’t let go. Instead, I held her tighter, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

“No, Vivian. You’re going to listen to me. You think you’re so clever, so untouchable, but you’re just a manipulative coward who hides behind everyone else’s misery.”

Her expression shifted, a flash of defiance crossing her face. “And you’re just a pathetic, angry man who doesn’t know when he’s out of his depth.”

Something snapped inside me at her words, and without thinking, I shoved her backward, watching as she stumbled, barely catching herself against the wall. The look of shock on her face fueled my anger, and I took a step closer, my fists clenched at my sides.

“You don’t get to talk to me like that,” I said, my voice trembling with fury. “Not after everything I’ve done for you.”

Vivian straightened, her expression hardening as she met my gaze. “You’ve done nothing for me, Joel. I kept you around because you were useful, but you’ve been nothing but a liability. You’re weak, and that’s why you’re out.”

The words hit like a slap, and before I could stop myself, I’d grabbed her again, this time pinning her against the wall. Her breath hitched, her eyes widening as she realized I wasn’t holding back.

“You think you’re so strong?” I snarled. “You think you’re better than me? You’re just as twisted, just as broken. But at least I don’t pretend to be something I’m not.”

She struggled against me, her hands pushing at my chest, but I didn’t let go. I wanted her to feel every ounce of the anger, the humiliation, the betrayal that she’d made me feel.

“Joel, stop!” she gasped, her voice laced with panic.

But I didn’t stop. I held her there, forcing her to look at me, to see the fury she’d unleashed. For once, she was the one feeling helpless, the one who couldn’t control the situation. And it felt good—too good.

“You don’t get to control me anymore, Vivian,” I said, my voice low, dangerous. “I’m done playing by your rules.”

She glared at me, her defiance flickering despite her fear. “You’re pathetic. This—this is why you’re out. Because you can’t handle yourself, can’t handle the truth. You’re nothing without me.”

Her words cut deep, but I forced myself to stay calm, tightening my grip as I leaned closer. “I don’t need you, Vivian. I never did. But you—you’re the one who needs me. You’re the one who’s afraid.”

She let out a bitter laugh, her gaze filled with contempt. “Afraid? Of you? You’re nothing but a loose end, Joel. One that I’ll gladly get rid of if you keep pushing me.”

The threat hung in the air, and for a moment, neither of us moved, the tension crackling between us like a live wire. But as I looked at her, at the cold hatred in her eyes, I realized that whatever connection we’d once had was gone. She’d made me into something I didn’t recognize, something I couldn’t control.

I released her, stepping back as I tried to steady my breathing. Vivian straightened, smoothing her clothes as she glared at me, her expression a mask of disgust.

“This is the last time you lay a hand on me,” she said, her voice cold and unyielding. “You come near me again, and I’ll make sure you regret it.”

I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to lash out again. But I knew it wouldn’t change anything. She’d already made her choice, already decided that I was disposable. And as much as I hated it, I couldn’t change her mind.

“Fine,” I spat, my voice dripping with contempt. “But don’t think you can just get rid of me. I know things, Vivian. Things that could ruin you.”
Certainly. Here’s Chapter 125, written from Joel's POV, where he learns that Vivian has cut him out of her kidnapping plans with Kane. Enraged and feeling betrayed, Joel confronts her in a volatile encounter, lashing out physically and emotionally, revealing just how deep his frustration and resentment run.

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She met my gaze, a cold smile twisting her lips. “Go ahead, Joel. Try. But remember—you’re not the only one who knows how to play dirty.”

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, the bitterness and anger boiling over as I watched her disappear into the next room. She thought she could control me, could toss me aside and walk away without consequence.

But she was wrong.

This wasn’t over—not by a long shot. If she wanted a war, I’d give her one. And I’d make sure she felt every bit of the pain she’d caused me.

I stood there, fists clenched, her last words echoing in my mind. Vivian thought she could cut me out, belittle me, and just walk away like I was nothing. But she was about to learn that I wasn’t someone to cross lightly. She might have Kane and her twisted plans, but I still held power—knowledge that could burn her whole world down.

As I turned to leave, my resolve hardened. This wasn’t the end. If Vivian wanted to make me her enemy, then so be it. She would regret underestimating me. And I’d make sure she paid for it.