The Don's Unwanted Bride

CHAPTER 4

Hayden’s POV

Donovan shoved Sarah and Eddie into the room, their wrists bound, their heads low. I sat on the edge of my sleek leather couch, one leg crossed over the other, my fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest. The air was heavy with tension, so thick you could slice it with a knife.

I kept my gaze locked on them, expression unreadable, but inside me, there was a storm brewing.

Sarah, my personal maid, the one I trusted to bring my food, the one who had full access to every inch of my home, had betrayed me.

And Eddie? A snake from the rival family. His betrayal didn’t sting as much. I expected nothing less from him. But Sarah…

“I didn’t mean to betray you,” Sarah blurted before I even said a word. Her voice trembled, tears already forming in her eyes. “I—I love him, boss. That’s all. I wasn’t trying to hurt you. I swear it.”

I tilted my head, amused by her boldness.

“Love,” I repeated, rolling the word on my tongue like poison. “You think love justifies betrayal?”

Eddie remained quiet. His silence was louder than her pleading. I studied him. Cold. Calculated. I knew his type. He didn’t love Sarah. He was using her, just as his family used anyone weak enough to fall for their charm.

I leaned forward.

“You were fucking him in the garden last night,” I said, voice calm, almost bored.

Sarah gasped and clutched the hem of her shirt. “You were watching?”

“There are cameras in every corner of this estate,” I replied, my eyes now steeled. “You thought you were smart, sneaking around behind the trees. But every whisper, every moan, every soft lie you whispered into his ear, I saw it all.”

Sarah dropped to her knees. “Please, sir. I’ll never see him again. I swear! He begged me to tell him about you, but I never did. I promise!”

That part wasn’t a lie. I knew she hadn’t leaked anything yet. But it didn’t matter.

Donovan stood to the side, arms folded, face hard as stone. He had warned me about her weeks ago, but I’d brushed it off. A mistake I wouldn’t make twice.

I rose slowly, walked toward Eddie, and stood inches from him.

“You know what I hate more than betrayal, Eddie?” I asked.

He didn’t reply.

“Silence,” I snarled.

Donovan stepped forward, ready to act, but I held up a hand. I wasn’t done.

I leaned in close to Eddie’s face. “You thought you could worm your way into my home through her. You thought you could unravel me. But you forgot one thing.”

Eddie’s lip curled slightly.

“I see everything,” I whispered. “Always.”

With a wave of my hand, I nodded at Donovan. “Take him to the torture room.”

Sarah screamed. “No! Please! Don’t hurt him! Don’t hurt him!”

She lunged forward, trying to cling to Eddie, but Donovan shoved her back. She hit the floor with a loud thud and scrambled to her feet, still crying.

“Donovan!” I snapped.

He froze.

“Don’t lay your hands on a woman again,” I said coldly. “That’s not how we do things here.”

Donovan bowed his head. “Apologies, Boss.”

I turned to Steph, my only female soldier. She stood behind me with her hands behind her back, calm and composed.

“Take Sarah to cell room 12,” I said. “Don’t touch her. Just lock her up.”

Steph nodded once, then moved forward. Sarah tried to run to me again, but Steph caught her by the arm.

“I’m sorry!” Sarah cried. “Please don’t hurt him! I’ll do anything! Just—just let him go!”

I didn’t flinch. I didn’t speak. I just watched as Steph led her out, her cries echoing in the hallway.

Once they were gone, I let out a breath and turned back to Donovan.

“Make it slow,” I said.

He grinned and dragged Eddie out without another word.

I stood alone in the silence for a long minute. The fire in the hearth cracked quietly. My fingers itched with rage, not just at the betrayal, but at myself, for letting my guard down.

Steph returned, eyes low, hands behind her back.

“Sarah is secured,” she said.

I gave her a slight nod and began walking toward the corridor that led to the lower levels of the house. Steph followed.

Halfway down, I stopped.

Without turning, I said, “I need a new maid. Post a vacancy and fix an interview immediately.”

“Yes, Boss,” Steph replied, her voice crisp.