Chapter 3

Blair POV:

The air in the guesthouse felt thick and heavy, charged with an unspoken tension. Kaylene sat rigidly on the edge of a plush velvet sofa, her hands clasped tightly over her burgeoning belly. Outside, the Hamptons estate was bathed in the pale glow of the moon, a deceptive serenity before the storm. The ocean breeze, typically soothing, now carried a biting edge, whispering of impending confrontation.

"Blair, you can't be serious," Kaylene began, her voice quivering slightly, though an undercurrent of defiance still laced her words. She looked around the opulent room, as if seeking an escape or perhaps reassurance from the expensive decor. "Keaton will never allow this."

I watched her, a detached observer. Her attempts at intimidation were laughable. She still clung to the delusion that Keaton held any real power over my decisions.

"Keaton has no say in this, Kaylene," I stated, my voice calm and even. "This is my property. And you are trespassing."

Her eyes flashed with a hint of malice. "Trespassing? I' m carrying his child! His heir! You' re just jealous, Blair. Jealous that I can give him what you can't."

A sharp, humorless laugh escaped my lips. "Jealous? Of you, Kaylene? You' re carrying a bastard child, a testament to your own foolishness and his deception. There's nothing to be jealous of."

Her face flushed crimson. "How dare you! This child is a blessing! A sign of true love!"

"True love?" I scoffed, stepping closer until I loomed over her. "Do you truly believe a man who hides you away, who manipulates both of us, is capable of 'true love'? You're a fool, Kaylene. A naive, pathetic fool."

She tried to shrink further into the sofa, but I wouldn't allow it. I extended my hand, my fingers gripping her chin firmly, forcing her to look at me. Her eyes, filled with fear, darted around, but found no escape.

"Listen closely," I commanded, my voice cold and unwavering. "You will leave this estate. You will go to a discreet clinic, and you will terminate this pregnancy. Then, you will disappear."

Her eyes widened in horror. "No! I won't! You can't make me!" She thrashed, tearing her chin from my grasp. "This is Keaton's baby! He wants this baby!"

"He wants an heir, Kaylene," I corrected, my voice chillingly calm. "Not you. You are merely a vessel. And a disposable one at that."

She let out a piercing shriek, tears streaming down her face. "You're a monster! A heartless monster! I'll tell everyone what you tried to do!"

"And who will believe you?" I raised an eyebrow, a predatory gleam in my eyes. "The poor, deluded little sister, making up stories to garner sympathy? Or the formidable CEO, known for her impeccable reputation and unwavering resolve?"

I leaned down, my face inches from hers. "You have two choices, Kaylene. You can comply, and I will ensure you are financially comfortable, far away from here. Or, you can resist, and I will ensure you lose everything. Your child, your reputation, your meager savings. Every hope you cling to will be systematically crushed. Do you understand the rules of this game, little sister?"

Her body trembled. She looked at me, her eyes brimming with a mixture of hatred and terror. "I hate you, Blair! I hate you!"

My hand shot out, not to strike her, but to grip her upper arm, my fingers digging in. "That's enough, Kaylene. This isn't a negotiation. This is me laying down the law."

Suddenly, the guesthouse door burst open. Keaton stood there, his face contorted with rage, his gaze immediately falling on my hand on Kaylene's arm.

"What the hell is going on here, Blair?!" he roared, striding into the room.

Kaylene, seeing her supposed savior, immediately burst into fresh, dramatic sobs. "Keaton! She's threatening me! She wants me to get rid of our baby!"

She scrambled off the sofa and ran into his outstretched arms, burying her face in his chest. Keaton held her, his eyes blazing at me over her head. He was playing the hero, the protector. It was a sickening display.

"Is this true, Blair?" he demanded, his voice dangerously low. "Were you threatening her?"

"I was simply explaining the consequences of her actions," I replied, my voice steady. "And yours."

"She's a monster, Keaton!" Kaylene wailed, clinging to him. "She wants to hurt our baby!"

He stroked her hair, his gaze never leaving mine. "You owe her an apology, Blair. Now."

My jaw tightened. Apologize? To this conniving pair? Never.

"Apologize for what, Keaton?" I challenged, my voice laced with disdain. "For pointing out the obvious? For stating the truth? Perhaps you should both apologize to me. For the years of deceit. For the betrayal."

He took a step forward, his eyes burning with a possessive fury. "You have crossed a line, Blair. A line you will regret."

I met his gaze head-on. "The only line crossed was when you decided to betray our marriage, Keaton. And you alone are responsible for the fallout."

My gaze drifted to Kaylene, still sobbing into Keaton's chest, her eyes peeking up at me with a triumphant gleam. "And as for her," I continued, my voice dripping with contempt, "she's nothing but a cheap imitation. A poor substitute for what you lost."