Chapter 47

I was not in a good mood. At all. Alex was intent on ruining my life and by extension Nicholas’s. Nicholas had warned me not to provoke him and not to do anything rash but I couldn’t help it. I just had to give him a piece of my mind. I stormed into the drawing room, my heels echoing on the polished floors as I found Alex lounging by the fireplace.

My brother leaned casually against the mantle, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He didn't even flinch at my arrival, his sharp features set in a mask of indifference.

"Alex," I snapped, my voice slicing through the air. "We need to talk."

He took a slow sip of his drink, his dark eyes meeting mine with a look of detached amusement. "I'm all ears, dearsister."

I crossed the room in swift, angry strides, stopping mere inches from him. "I know you’re the reason my husband is in prison. And I know you’re the reason he was attacked in prison. Don't insult my intelligence by pretending you don't know anything about it."

Alex smirked, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "And why would I care what happens to your precious husband?"

"Because you can't stand the idea of him walking out of there alive," I shot back, my voice trembling with barely contained fury. "Don't think I don't know what you're doing, Alex. This isn't just about Nicholas. This is about me. This is about you hurting me. Again and again."

Alex's smirk widened, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to my seething rage. "Ah, there it is. The paranoia. Always thinking someone's out to get you." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Maybe you should ask yourself why you're so desperate to keep him alive. What are you afraid of, Cleopatra? Losing your grip? Or losing your heart?"

My hand shot out, slapping the glass from his hand. It shattered on the floor, whiskey pooling at our feet.

"Don't play games with me, Alex," I  hissed. "You may think you're untouchable, but I will release Nicholas. And when I do, you'll wish you'd never crossed me."

Alex straightened, the smirk fading from his face. For a moment, we stared each other down, the room heavy with unspoken threats.

"Careful, Cleo," Alex said finally, his tone laced with menace. "You're walking a fine line. And lines have a way of breaking under pressure."

I squared my shoulders, refusing to be intimidated. "If you think I'm scared of you, you're mistaken. There is nothing you can do or say to hurt me or get me to back down. I simply won’t."

Alex's lips curled into a cold smile, his eyes glittering with malice. "Then I guess we'll see who wins this time, won't we?"

As I turned to leave, his parting words stopped me in my tracks.

"Watch your back, sister," he said softly, his voice dripping with mock concern. "You never know when someone might stick a knife in it."

I didn't look back, but my hands curled into fists at my sides as I walked away.

..............

I barely made it out of the drawing room before the rage began to simmer into cold resolve. Alex thought he could intimidate me, corner me into submission like some pawn in his game. But he'd forgotten one thing: I wasn't just his sister—I was Cleopatra Fontana. I had played this game before and lost to him, to Michael. He was stupid for thinking that I would allow myself to lose again. That I would watch him take away everything I had. 

If Alex wanted to trap me in a web of his making, then I'd spin a web of my own. And tonight, I knew exactly where to start.

Michael.

He had been many things to me once—lover, confidant, and the man that betrayed me. The man that I gave my heart and he shattered it into a million pieces.  Michael's bitterness still lingered in every word he spoke to me, but he was too predictable, too needy, to ever resist having me back m. I knew I could use that.

His usual club was quieter than expected when I arrived, the air thick with the scent of wine and roasted herbs. I spotted Michael sitting in a corner booth, nursing a glass of something dark and potent. His sharp features lit up the moment he saw me, his surprise quickly melting into that familiar, hungry smile.

"Cleo," he said, rising to greet me. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

I smiled, slipping into the seat across from him and leaning forward just enough for my golden necklace to catch the light. "I've been thinking about you, Michael," I said softly, letting my voice carry just the right amount of warmth. "About us."

His smile widened, his eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to gauge my sincerity. "Is that so? Are you messing with me Cleo? Funny, I thought you'd forgotten all about me after you married him."

I let the comment roll off me, tilting my head and giving him the soft, almost vulnerable look that had always worked so well. "I didn’t. I never did, I was just so hurt by everything you had done to me. I couldn’t bear it. I ran into his arms out of spite and now I am regretting it."

His grip tightened around the glass, and I saw the flicker of satisfaction in his eyes. "And now?" he asked, his voice lower, almost hopeful.

I reached across the table, letting my fingers brush against his hand. "Now, I realize how much I've missed you. How much I still—" I paused, letting my voice break slightly, "—care."

Michael leaned back, a slow smirk tugging at his lips. "You must've had a change of heart to come all this way just to see me. Or is this about something else, Cleo?”

I feigned surprise, even hurt, but I kept my hand on his. "Why would you think that?"

He shrugged, his smirk never faltering. "Because this is unusual. You told me you never wanted to see me again. You told me you wished you had never fallen in love with me. Forgive me if I’m finding all this too hard to believe."

I bit my lip, lowering my gaze. "Maybe you're right," I admitted, my voice trembling just enough to sound genuine. "Maybe I do need something from you. But it's not what you think. It's Nicholas."

Michael's smirk faded, his brows knitting together. "Nicholas? What is wrong with him?” 

I leaned closer, lowering my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Nicholas is in prison for fraud. I just can’t believe it… I trusted him so much, gave him so much control over my finances and my life. I wonder if it’s all true…. Because I’m scared I’ve trusted the wrong man.” 

He hesitated, his eyes searching mine. For a moment, I thought he might refuse. But then, he sighed, leaning back in his seat.

"Well he is the wrong man," he said. "I told you he’s no good. I heard he scammed his closest business partner, Damien Lannis. That’s what he does you see. Scams his friends of their hard earned money. Your brother was the one who even helped you.”

“He suspected Nicholas’s fraudulent ways and sought Damien out. Damien told him everything. He deserves to be in prison. Don’t you worry about that.” 

Idiot. 

I thought as  I nodded eagerly. So it was Alex’s doing. And the man who had accused her husband of fraud was an old business partner.

"Nicholas isn’t a good man. I told you about him. It’s good you’re finding out now," Michael said, his tone laced with disdain. "I’m glad you’re back to your senses now Cleo."

Michael's voice softened, drawing my attention back to him. "I only told you this because I care about you, Cleo. You know that, don't you?"

I forced a smile, reaching across the table to take his hand. "Of course I do, Michael. And I'll never forget what you've done for me tonight."

He grinned, the same boyish grin that had once made my heart flutter. "Good. Because I want to see you again. Soon. I think this is the perfect time for us to get back together. To get back on track.”

“I forgive you for falling for someone like Nicholas. I know he’s very deceitful.” 

I hesitated for only a fraction of a second before nodding. "Very soon. But I think we should wait for this whole Nicholas thing to blow over shouldn’t we?” 

“You’re absolutely right. That’s a good idea baby. I am so happy you’re back in my life.” 

Michael's smile widened, but I was already planning my next move as I left the restaurant.