My Brother in-law's Sinful Offer

"Please, hubby, don't do this to me! What did I do wrong?" Aria pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation as she rushed to the man she believes is her husband and hugged him before he could turn away from her.

"Just tell me what to do to change your mind. I'll do anything to make it right. Please, don't leave me... Don't break us apart..."

"Would you stop interrupting me when I speak?" Kayden growled, causing Aria to flinch at his harsh voice.

Even though Aria didn't understand this new side of her caring husband, she was determined to get to him.

So, fueled with determination to win back her husband, Aria hugged him tighter, putting all the seductive skills she had learned online into practice.

She stared up at him with a seductive gaze and sensually licked her lips.

Kayden felt her soft molds pressed against him, and an intoxicating sweetness of her feminine scent, like that of lavender in a sunlit garden, filled his nostrils and enveloped him, igniting memories that sent his heart racing and his throat feeling dry, causing all the blood in his veins to rush in a certain direction.

He could feel that part of his body come alive. He thought he hated her; he thought he didn't even want to breathe in the same air as her after what she did to him years ago, but why was he responding to her touches and obvious provocation?

"Get out!" He snarled; his voice was firm, with a hint of finality in it.

"Please don't reject me; I can't take it, hubby," she pleaded, her eyes looking even more desperate as she stared up at him before she added, almost in tears,

"Make love to me like you used to, or anyhow you want to. I'm yours... Just don't kick me out of this room."

Those words were like a bad omen, making Kayden exude a chilling aura, and his gaze became downright predatory, looking as fierce as a prowling panther.

As he stared at Ariana offering herself to him with such determination and desperation, he was filled with intense jealousy and possessiveness; she was supposed to be his...

His alone!

'She was fucking his! But now everything felt like a joke...a very sick joke... And now seeing her like this, trying to seduce him with all her might, thinking he was his twin brother, made him even madder.

If it were him, would she fight for him like this? Would she beg him so shamelessly like this?'

The more Kayden's mind drifted to the past, the more anger he felt, and then, in the next second, he felt like something snapped within him.

He began to crave something he thought he had long forgotten.

He began to crave all those things he had once yearned for but had decided to lock away in that deep, dark part of his heart.

He was tired of being the cursed one, the one who was left behind, the substitute...the replacement.

He wanted to be the main character now; he didn't want to keep living in the shadows any longer.

But most importantly, he wanted her; he wanted her to beg and scream as she writhed under him.

He wanted it all.

"Fine!" He said, and Ariana felt like she had been pulled from underwater after lacking air for 24 hours.

"Thanks, babe," she whispered and lifted herself on her tiptoes to kiss him, but Kayden glared at her with a deathly gaze, causing her heart to skip a beat.

Her earlier confidence deflated like a balloon, causing her lips to shift course and weakly press the kiss on his chin, trying her best to act unaffected by his actions.

"You will obey me and do as I say; you are not allowed to do anything without my permission. Do you understand?"

His voice was low but full of authority.

Aria hurriedly nodded to agree.

"I understand," she said.

Aria didn't know why Jayden, her husband, was acting so cold toward her, but she was sure after a night of passionate lovemaking, her caring husband would return to her.

"Don't you dare regret it later!" Kayden scowled, and in the next moment, he stared at her emotionlessly and commanded,

"Strip!"

~~~

Four hours ago...

Aria and Jayden's mansion...

"Good evening, ma'am; this just arrived for you." A maid said, holding a brown envelope in her hand.

"Oh, just keep it there on the coffee table; I'll check on it later," Aria said and moved her attention back to the living room.

She carefully inspected the decorations she had put up in the hall one last time and smiled.

There were scented candles lined up in a heart shape and rose petals scattered on the pathway and lined on the side by candles. Slow romantic music was playing in the background with the lights dimmed, giving off a candlelight effect.

On the dining table sat an ice bucket with one of the expensive wines from their wine cabinet, and the table had a spread of delicious foods, all prepared by Aria herself as she awaited the arrival of her husband.

Today was her wedding anniversary with her husband, Jayden Hunt, a day to celebrate the best three years of her life.

Aria didn't need a magician to tell her she had struck gold after meeting Jayden.

The man loved her, pampered her, and never cared that she was from a poor home. She was the "Cinderella of Manhattan," a nickname the people of New York had given her, but she didn't care.

She didn't care about what those jealous socialites gossiped about or said about her behind her back; she only cared about what Jayden thought of her.

Thanks to him, even her father and stepmom dared not to bully her any longer; her younger brother was also attending one of the best universities in New York.

Jayden was her lucky star, and his love and approval for her were all that mattered.

She checked the time again and realized it was past 7:00 pm already, but Jayden still wasn't at home yet.

She had spoken to him this morning after he returned to the country from Spain.

They had talked about everything and anything, and Jayden had told her how much he missed her and how he couldn't wait to get back to her.

He had told her he'd just conclude some pending paperwork that needed his approval due to his absence and would soon come back home to her.

She decided to call him and see why he was running late, but all her calls went to voicemail. Aria was feeling worried and called her husband's secretary, James, but the same thing happened: no one picked up her calls.

Feeling worried, she decided to do something to distract her from her husband for the time being.

'He might be in an important meeting with James, and that's why they are both not picking up," Ariana consoled herself and decided to check the contents of the envelope she had just received.

'This is not the first time Jayden has kept long due to an emergency meeting,' she inwardly told herself.

"He's going to get an earful from me when he returns. I always tell him to at least send me a text in such cases to prevent me from worrying, but he never listens," Aria whispered to herself as she carefully opened the envelope and pulled out the papers.

What she saw nearly made her collapse. The words "DIVORCE AGREEMENT" in bold text stared back at her.

Her eyes widened, and her knees buckled under her. She weakly inched close to the sofa and sat on it, her whole body trembling.

A gasp escaped from her lips when she saw the names at the end of the agreement: Ariana Gray and Jayden Hunt, accompanied by those strong, powerful strokes that depicted her husband's handwriting and his powerful signature.

'It was real!'

"Why?" She asked no one in particular as tears subconsciously rolled down her face.

"No, this can't be happening... It couldn't be... "Her Jayden" wouldn't do something like this to her." Aria chanted those words in her mind over and over again like a mantra, but the more she tried to tell herself that this wasn't real, the more she found her heart breaking.

She took her phone and dialed her husband's number again, but after dialing his phone number several times, she still couldn't reach him.

"Jayden, please pick up," Aria yelled into her phone, her voice laced with desperation and frustration, but still no one answered.

"Ma'am, is everything alright?" Stella, the head maid and the oldest of all the maids asked after seeing her young mistress's tear-stained face.

The mistress had been smiling from ear to ear a moment ago, and Stella couldn't understand what could have possibly happened within this short time to cause her to react like this.

"It's nothing, Stella... J-Just tell the driver to get ready and take me to Hunt Corporation; I want to see my husband. I-I'll go upstairs and get ready," Aria stuttered, trying to keep her composure even though she felt like shouting and screaming since her heart was breaking apart.

In the next few minutes, Aria had already changed into more decent clothes and sat in the car, making her way to the Hunt Corporation headquarters.

~~~

1st class hospital,

In front of the door of the intensive care unit, there was quite a big sight. All the members of the Hunt family from the main branch were present.

Old Master Hunt, the current head of the Hunt family and the chairman of Hunt Corporation, was present.

Mr. Austin Hunt, the father of the twin boys Jayden and Kayden Hunt, together with their mother Mrs. Audrey Hunt, the current matriarch of the Hunt family after Old Master Hunt's wife passed away, was also present.

At the far end of the hallway stood a lone figure; he exuded coldness and aloofness at one glance. He stood away from the remaining group as if he wasn't even part of them. He was Kayden Hunt, the cursed twin and the black sheep of the Hunt family.

Kayden had just returned from prison a week ago after staying there for three years.

The door to the operating room finally swung open, and the family doctor, Dr. William Murphy, walked out after five hours of surgery.

"The patient is currently out of danger but..."

The family members had just heaved a sigh of relief at the doctor's words when they heard him add the "but" word, and their hopes plummeted back to the ground as they all moved their attention back to the doctor.

"The young master is currently experiencing a severe spinal cord injury leading to a complete loss of motor and sensory function below the neck downwards..."

"Would you speak in lay terms to make us understand what is happening to my son better?" Mrs. Audrey asked, interrupting the doctor, her gaze full of worry and fear.

"The patient is currently suffering from a condition known as tetraplegia. This means he is paralyzed from the neck downwards, affecting all four limbs-arms, legs, and torso-resulting from damage to the spinal cord in the neck region," the doctor began.

"This means he has lost the ability to move or feel sensation in his arms, legs, trunk, and other parts of the body below the neck," he concluded.

After Dr. William finished speaking, everyone was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

Kayden, who had now joined his family after he saw the doctor coming out of the operation theater and was now standing a few inches away from his grandfather, decided to break the tense atmosphere.

"What are the treatment options available, doctor? Can something be done to bring my brother back to his former self? Is there anything we need to..."

"Enough! You can stop pretending that you care; do you think I don't know you were the one behind this? Why did Jayden get into an accident the same day he decided to meet you?"

Mr. Austin: "Audrey!"

Old Master Hunt: "Daughter-in-law!"

With both her father-in-law and her husband calling her name so sternly and watching her with a disapproving gaze, Mrs. Audrey could only clamp her mouth shut, but she couldn't stop glaring at this evil spurn.

Audrey hated Kayden with all her might, and with the way she treated him, one might think she wasn't even the one who gave birth to him.

Anytime Audrey recalled that day, 27 years ago, when the monk prophesied that one of the twins she was carrying was going to be the one to bring doom to the Hunt family and cause them to be bankrupt, she had never been able to smile and lift her head high in the Hunt family.

That dark cloud loomed above her head and refused to disappear.

What made her even angrier was that it had given her husband, Austin Hunt, the audacity to father an illegitimate child. She was quite lucky that the bitch gave birth to a girl. If not, wouldn't that illegitimate child be fighting over the Hunt family assets with her dear boy, Jayden?

"Can he be moved to a regular room now?" Old Master Hunt asked the doctor, who nodded.

"Yes, old Master, the young master can be moved to a regular ward, and I'd advise you to be careful of what you say in front of the patient. The emotional impact of the patient's condition is highly significant, and he would require psychological support, counseling, rehabilitation, therapy, and long-term care," Dr. William advised.

The old master nodded and asked, "Is he conscious now? Can we see him?"

"Yes, old Master, you can see him as soon as he is sent to the VIP ward, but I'd advise you not to overcrowd the room to prevent any risk of infection; this is a critical stage for the young master," Dr. William said and walked back to the operating theater.

Old Master Hunt saw that Dr. William was no longer around and turned to look at Kayden and beckoned him to his side.

"Kayden, can you tell us what you and your brother spoke about before the accident?"

Kayden saw his grandfather's pensive gaze, and he inwardly sneered in his heart.

'Ha! How ironic? His grandfather was also suspecting him; was that how they viewed him? As a monster who wants his brother dead?'

"Do you also think I had something to do with my brother's accident? Fine, here's a recording of our conversation. You can play and listen to it yourself," Kayden said and pressed the recording pen into his grandfather's butler, Robert's palm, before he turned to walk away, not once looking back.

As Kayden strode away, he could feel their gazes locked onto him, burning with curiosity and judgment. Even though he realized that they were all watching him, he understood all too well that the looks aimed his way held no warmth, only indifference.

He had lived through it for 27 years, and he knew he was the abomination that shouldn't have existed in the Hunt family.

Old Master Hunt turned to his son and said, "Come, let's find somewhere private and listen to the contents."

"Father, please let me also be present; they are both my sons. Please don't leave me out of this," Mrs. Audrey said.

The old master hesitated for a brief moment before giving his permission.

"Fine, you can come too."

The family gathered in Dr. Williams's office, and the old master nodded to Robert to play the recording.

"Brother," Jayden's voice came through the recording pen and filled the room.

The twins' voices were similar, yet each carried its own distinct tone. One could detect the cheeriness within Jayden's voice and the aloofness within Kayden's voice.

Just listening to the sound of their voices would tell you Jayden grew up in an environment full of love and pampering while Kayden grew up isolated and rarely spoke, making his voice lack emotion and causing him to sound stiff.

"Say what you need to say; you don't need to hug me," Kayden said robotically.

~~~

Earlier that day...

Kayden received a call from Jayden, who wanted them to talk about something important. He had wanted to decline the invitation at first, but because it would be best to know what was on his brother's mind, he decided to go anyway.

Kayden had just gotten to the door of the private room and was about to knock when he heard Jayden's voice.

"I'll try and keep him here with me as long as I can. Get the job done right away. You only have 10 minutes, and make sure to do a clean job and don't leave any traces," Jayden said to someone on the phone.

Kayden couldn't help but feel he was the subject of discussion, and knowing his brother might be up to something, he decided to record their conversation. He planned to use it later in case his suspicions were right.

Wanting to catch his brother off guard, he didn't even knock again and directly pushed the door open. Jayden's eyes flashed with panic for just a brief moment before they returned to their usual playfulness.

"Brother," Jayden called out and stood up from his chair, trying to hug him.

Kayden raised his hands to stop the gesture and said,

"Say what you want to say; you don't need to hug me."

"You are no fun," Jayden said in a playful tone, trying to ease up the tense atmosphere and added.

"I know it's too late for what I'm about to say."

Jayden's gaze looked remorseful, and he watched Kayden as if he was hesitating. A long silence stretched between them before he finally spoke.

"I'm sorry... Back then, I shouldn't have made you take the blame for me; I shouldn't have stolen your woman too. Grandfather wants you to become the new CEO of Hunt Corporation, and I think you deserve it. You are the best candidate after all."

"Why are you telling me this? Jayden, why should I believe you? Do you think I don't know you tried to kill me in prison? And now what kind of soap opera are you playing?" Kayden growled; his voice was low but full of coldness.

"Brother, I would never do that..."

"Oh, don't 'brother' me, Jayden. I have evidence, and the prison guard is willing to testify, so don't think I'd be fooled by your fake remorse," Kayden cut him off.

"I'm sorry... I really am, please believe me," Jayden said with feigned sincerity and added,

"I admit I must have been crazy for a moment there and wanted to get rid of you, but I changed my mind later... See, no one came after you since that one time, right?"

"That's because I got myself allies to protect me in prison; even if you had tried again, your lackeys would have reported to you I was untouchable," Kayden spat.

"Kayden, believe me, I'm truly sorry for everything that happened. Look, I'm setting Aria free," Jayden said and brought out the divorce papers with his signature.

"You're divorcing her?" Kayden's voice was even colder, masking his surprise.

"Grandfather wants me to go to Africa and reflect on what I did, and I think he's right. But I can't take Aria with me, so please, I'll leave her in your care. Please take care of her," Jayden said.

"What do you see her as? An object to be passed around between us? You knew she was the only light in my dark world, but you manipulated her and took her away from me, and now what? You want to return her to me? What the hell is wrong with you, man?" Kayden growled, the anger in his voice palpable.

"Kayden, Brother, I'm sorry, okay, what do you want me to do? Going to Africa without any connection from the Hunt family would be difficult; I don't think Aria would be comfortable with such a life," Jayden said.

"Then you never knew her; if she chose you, then she would stick with you, for better or for worse. Now, if you have nothing else to say, I'll be on my way," Kayden said and walked out without looking back.

'He didn't need Aria; she was the bane of his existence. She and Jayden deserve each other,' Kayden told himself.

~~~

The recording finished playing, and everyone stared at each other in deep thought after hearing the contents of the conversation.

Old Master Hunt and his son, Austin Hunt, looked at each other, and a silent message passed through their eyes.

"Jayden did not mean what he said to his brother."

Before the two brothers met, Jayden had been with them in the main family mansion, and his actions and words were totally different from his "supposed" remorseful speech with his brother.

~~~

Before the brothers met, Old Master Hunt's study...

"Your crimes keep piling up, and I'm not going to keep covering up for you and allow you to destroy our family legacy. Don't you dare go to the headquarters again; your brother is now the new CEO; go to Africa and reflect on yourself; I'll summon you back when the news blows over," Old Master Hunt said, his voice stern but full of heartache.

"Father, talk to Grandfather; he is kicking me out of the Hunt family because he wants to replace me with that bastard. He is the cursed one; he's the one with the doom prophecy; why can't you make him take my place in front of the council to appease them? That is what he was born for," Jayden said unreasonably, turning to his father to intercede for him, and the old master's eyes darkened.

"I'm still your elder and the head of the Hunt family; watch what you say, and my decision is final!" Old Master Hunt snarled, exuding a powerful aura despite his old age, and Jayden unwillingly kept quiet, but he was inwardly plotting his next move in his mind.

"But grandfather, your punishment is too severe. How can I stay in Africa like any normal rich kid just because I killed that bastard? Besides, we're the Hunt family; we're the ones they must bow to. That illegitimate son of the Smith family was messing with my girl. I was just teaching him a lesson; who knew he was so weak, and he died just like that?" Jayden said righteously.

"Firstly, you were messing around when you were a married man; Kayden stayed in prison for three years for you. He lost three years of his life paying for a murder he didn't commit. For fuck's sake, he just got out of prison, but you want him to experience something even worse than prison because of your selfishness? When did you become such a monster that you are willing to sacrifice your blood brother without even batting an eye?" Mr. Austin Hunt spoke for the first time during the family meeting.

"I blame your mother for making you think you can do whatever you want and get away with it. Thanks to you, the pact that is keeping the four great families of New York in check is hanging by a thread, but since you're still unrepentant about your actions, you are on your own. You did this yourself and you must be accountable for your actions," Mr. Austin added before turning to his father.

"Father, I'm sorry for raising such a disgrace. I will not interfere; you can send him away."

"Jayden, make preparations; you must leave Manhattan in three days. You should leave before the next meeting between the four family heads. I'll tell Robert to help you with everything you need for your trip. Take it as a vacation and reflect on yourself," Old Master Hunt said.

"Why are you all not listening to me? I already said I don't want to leave New York, and you can't force me!" Jayden snarled and walked out of the study room, loudly banging the door after him.