My Stone-Hearted Billionaire Husband

Kourtney Allen typed in the password of her fiancé's luxury penthouse excitedly. It was an automated door, and her birthdate was the code to unlock it. She couldn't wait to see the surprised look on Brandon's face when he sees her, especially because she dressed so well for him.

Kourtney was eager to spend quality time with him, having returned two days earlier from the women's empowerment conference she attended in another state. Besides, they would be getting married in three weeks.

She kept daydreaming about the joyous wedding, the warm embrace, and the loving words they would exchange at the altar.

However, she was blissfully unaware of the heart-wrenching scene that awaited her.

Her happy footsteps came to a standstill when she heard faint sounds emanating from the bedroom. A sinking feeling instantly settled in the pit of her stomach. It was the voice of a man and a woman in the heat of passion.

Pain and anger rose within her depths as she pushed open the door with a bang, revealing a scene that shattered her heart into a million pieces. Her worst fears were realized in that devastating moment. It was simply beyond anything her wildest dreams or nightmares could conjure.

The air was heavy with the scent of betrayal, and the carpet looked messy, with things scattered all over it. She saw red high heels, a beige dress, a bra, and panties. Men's clothing was also littered around.

And then, tangled in the sheets on the king-size bed were Brandon and her younger sister, Kathlyn Allen. Shock thundered through Kourtney's entire being, rendering her frozen and paralyzed for a moment.

"Why?" she finally managed to croak. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over.

"Brandon, how could you?"

Her no-good fiancé, Brandon Smith, sat up on the bed, his face displaying a mix of guilt and indifference after being caught in the act. But he quickly shook off the feeling of remorse and breath a sigh of relief instead. He had already been planning to break off the shitty engagement with Kourtney for a while now, but he was too chickenhearted to bring up the discussion. Perhaps, her finding out like this was for the better!

He finally met her gaze, his expression hardening.

"Kourtney, you've been extremely unexciting lately. As dull as a corpse! I'm sick and tired of you. So, it's best if we break up."

His cruel words struck Kourtney like a dagger to her heart. Her eyes widened in complete disbelief.

"How... How could you say that to me? After everything we've been through? You're the one who proposed to me. You promised me a future together, and I trusted you."

Brandon's expression remained cold and indifferent, his tone devoid of pity or even guilt. "I'm sorry, Kourtney. I should never have proposed to you in the first place. Kathlyn is the one I truly love, not you."

Kourtney's hand instinctively clutched at her chest as if trying to calm the physical ache and emotional torture she was experiencing. The betrayal felt even more painful for her as it came from someone she considered family. Her very own flesh and blood...

"My... my own sister?" Kourtney's voice cracked as she glanced briefly at her younger sister.

Kathlyn has been silently watching their exchange with keen interest while wearing a cruel, triumphant smirk.

"Oh, come on, Kourtney, it's not my fault Brandon loves me. He finally realized just how boring you are. You were never good enough for him to begin with. I've always been the one he desired." Kathlyn's voice dripped with satisfaction, delighting in the pain she had caused.

Kourtney's expression turned into rage and disgust now. It was not the first time Kathlyn was doing something like this to her, so she wasn't in any way surprised.

Flashbacks of their high school years flooded her mind. Eight years ago, when they were ages sixteen and fifteen, Kathlyn intentionally dated a boy she liked and kissed him in front of the entire school. This happened less than a week after Kourtney revealed him to be her crush. The sisters grew very distant ever since then.

And now Kathlyn did it again, not with a mere crush but with her beloved fiancé with whom she had already begun to plan a grand wedding. The invitation cards had already been sent out to friends and well-wishers.

Even her gorgeous and exquisite wedding gown has already been custom-made and sent over by her favorite designer. Her dream wedding dress, which she wouldn't be able to wear anymore.

Tears trickled down her face freely as the height of their betrayal weighed in.

Kathlyn grinned wickedly, taking pleasure in Kourtney's agony. Her eyes glinted with malicious joy as she noticed Kourtney's tears.

"You know, Sis, he was eager to taste what he was missing all these years. And let me tell you, he found it with me."

Kourtney felt humiliation gushing within her. She wanted to scream, to lash out at both of them for their cruelty, but she couldn't find the words.

The betrayal was too overwhelming, but she managed to ignore Kathlyn's wounding insults and turned her attention back to Brandon. The man she had once thought was her soulmate, was now a total stranger with a cold heart. A heartless and selfish bastard!

"Brandon, you've shown me your true colors as a despicable person. Just know that your actions have destroyed the love I had for you. And I'm calling off our wedding. Enjoy!"

Without sparing another glance at either of them, Kourtney turned away and shot the bedroom door behind her with a bang. She clutched her chest as if trying to physically hold the pieces of her shattered heart together. Hot tears streamed down her face as she stumbled down the staircase. Her legs felt weak, but she pushed forward, determined to get away from this nightmare.

With every step she took, the pain intensified, making it hard to breathe. She was heartbroken, and her trust shattered to pieces.

She couldn't help but question her worth, wondering if indeed, she was as boring and unexciting as Brandon and Kathlyn had claimed. Everyone knew she was an introverted person, unlike her sister who craved attention wherever she went. She always felt like an invisible shadow compared to her vibrant younger sister.

Kathlyn effortlessly captivates almost everyone she meets with her outgoing personality and charm. Even their parents didn't hide that Kathlyn was their favorite child and it hurt her deeply.

Kourtney had dedicated three years of her life to this relationship, only to be blindsided by this painful betrayal. Her little sister and the man who promised to love her for the rest of her life.

'Why I'm I always getting cheated on?' Kourtney thought as she left the mansion, her world in tatters, but that was just the tip of the iceberg.

**********

"Mom... Dad?" Kourtney called out desperately the moment she entered their family mansion. It was a miracle that she was able to drive back home safely amidst the excess tears blurring her vision. This time, as Kourtney entered the familiar walls of their house, the silence seemed to suffocate her.

She was breaking apart and needed her parents' love and support now more than ever. She couldn't wait to tell them what Kathlyn had done so they would realize just how evil she was. She hoped they would take her side and comfort her lovingly.

After what seemed like forever, her mother, Margaret Allen, emerged from the living room. Luke Allen, her father, followed closely behind holding his favorite Forbes Magazine, his expression stern and grave.

"Kourtney? What's wrong, Sweetheart?" Margaret asked, her voice filled with worry.

Kourtney's throat felt tight, and it was hard to find the words to express the pain she was going through.

"Mommy... Dad, I... I caught Brandon and Kathlyn. I caught them in bed together with my own eyes! They were having an affair behind my back..."

Kourtney finally choked out, her voice trembling with despair as she relieved the heart-wrenching moment all over again.

She expected shock, disbelief, or even outrage from her parents because she knew them too well. But what she saw on their faces was something entirely different.

Margaret's expression displayed a complex mix of sadness and guilt, while Luke's stern gaze remained unwavering as if he just heard something normal. There was no shock or surprised look on their faces as she expected, only a knowing look that left Kourtney confused.

She soon realized the painful truth: 'They already knew!!!'

"You... You knew?"

Neither one of them replied, but the look on their faces gave the answer away. The revelation struck Kourtney like a bolt of lightning. She swallowed hard, trying to comprehend the situation unfolding before her.

Numerous questions popped into her head while her entire body shook and trembled. How could they have known about the betrayal and not said anything? Was it possible that her parents had been supporting Kathlyn, their favorite daughter, to go after her man all along?

Tears welled up in her eyes as she struggled to find her voice.

"How... How long have you two known?"

"How long have you two known about their affair?" Kourtney asked again furiously.

"Calm down, Honey! They started seeing each other about five months ago. We didn't want to believe it either but we had to face the truth. We're so sorry, Kourtney," her mother, Margaret, replied casually.

Kourtney's eyes widened in shock as she screamed. "Five months?"

It was around the same time she and Brandon started making preparations for their dream wedding that was supposed to happen in three weeks. 'No wonder he was always too busy to give me time and attention these days. I was such a fool,' she thought bitterly.

"Why... How could you keep something like that from me? From your own daughter?"

"We wanted to protect you, darling. We thought it would be better for you to find out when you were ready," Margaret explained softly.

Kourtney's heart sank further, feeling a pang of betrayal from her parents. Her voice trembled with a mix of anger and hurt. "Ready? How could I ever be ready for this?"

Her whole world had just crumbled. And her dreams of a happily ever after were crushed to the ground. But now, she also had to confront the fact that her own parents had kept this painful secret from her. The betrayal extended beyond Brandon and Kathlyn; it involved her parents too.

"Kourtney, we never condoned what Kathlyn and Brandon did, but there's something else you need to know. Kathlyn is pregnant for him too," her father finally broke his silence.

The words hung heavy in the air, amplifying the shock that rushed through Kourtney's veins. Her legs grew weak as she held a nearby couch to keep her from falling. She felt as if the ground beneath her had crumbled.

"Pre... Pregnant?" Kourtney's voice quivered in fright. She felt a mix of shock, betrayal, heartbreak, and confusion.

"Wait... So you... You both support this? You're both taking Kathlyn's side?"

Margaret sighed. "Kourtney dear! As parents, we have to support Kathlyn and consider the well-being of the innocent life growing inside her."

"........"

Kourtney felt like she just heard the funniest joke ever. Laughter bubbled up from within her, but it was hollow, devoid of humor. It was rather a laughter filled with pain and disbelief. The room seemed to spin as she struggled to process the enormity of the situation. It had become more surreal than she ever imagined.

The betrayal had now taken on a whole new dimension, with the impending arrival of a child that would forever connect Brandon and Kathlyn.

As the laughter subsided, Kourtney's face turned pale, her eyes plugged with tears. The weight of the truth pressed down on her, threatening to crush her spirit entirely. And she finally lost her last thread of control.

"Are you fucking kidding me? Why would you take Kathlyn's side? She stole the man I loved!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, gnashing her teeth in fury.

"It's a complicated situation, and we believe it's best if you let them be. The already-planned wedding will go on. But Kathlyn will take your place at the altar.

"What??"

"Yes, she will be a better wife for Brandon than you, Kourtney. She would help us get the full support of the Smiths, something you've not been able to achieve despite dating him for years," Her father, Luke's tone was laced with annoyance and disappointment as he spoke.

There wasn't a single ounce of sympathy for her.

Kourtney's mouth fell as she grasped the harsh reality of her father's words.

Brandon's family, the Smiths, were one of the wealthiest and most influential families in Melbourne. They were ranked sixth after The Woods, The Thompsons, The Stones, The Turners, and The Emersons. And Luke had been trying to increase their family's power and status by getting close to the Smiths for a long time.

He was so happy when Kourtney was able to snag the heart of the Smith's 3rd young master three years ago, knowing full well he would now be able to leech off them.

He kept making demand after demand, disturbing Kourtney to get more support and connections from the Smiths to solidify their family's standing in high society. Of course, she refused to oblige to most of his wishes. It had always felt suffocating, but she had convinced herself that her love for Brandon was enough to endure it.

"So... that's all this is to you? A chance to gain more influence and power? What about my happiness?" Kourtney's voice cracked as she screamed.

"Kourtney, it's not just about influence and power. It's about securing a better future for our family, for us to finally be among the elites. We've struggled for far too long, and this was an opportunity we couldn't afford to let slip away. You were always too shy to ask Brandon for anything. Your younger sister is way smarter than you. She understands what needs to be done!"

Luke's face hardened as he responded in one breath, his voice filled with determination. It was as if he was blinded to the pain Kourtney was experiencing, and it didn't matter to him.

"So you... You sent her to seduce my fiancé because you feel she'd do better at fulfilling your greedy and selfish ambitions?" Kourtney asked, clutching her burning chest tightly.

Margaret leaned forward, trying to hug Kourtney in her arms as she sensed her reaching her breaking point.

"Don't fucking touch me... You all disgust me." Kourtney angrily avoided her mother's touch, shoving her away, sending her stumbling straight to the ground.

Slap!

"You insolent girl! How dare you push your mother?" Luke shouted before reaching forward to give Kourtney another dirty slap.

She stood there holding her left cheek in pain. She was stunned and heartbroken, but her father's double slaps totally killed her already shattered spirit.

"No honey, stop hitting her. It isn't Kourtney's fault. We could have told her much earlier," Margaret said while standing up, holding her husband to calm down.

"Get out!!! We don't want to see you right now," Luke thundered furiously.

Kourtney turned away on her heels as she realized that the support she had desperately hoped for from her parents wasn't forthcoming. The realization cut deep, leaving her feeling abandoned and alone in her pain.

She has always been like a wallpaper while Kathlyn was always noticed and loved by others, even their parents. She knew Kathlyn had always been their favorite daughter, and they took her side in everything.

But somehow, she was hopeful things would be different this time. Instead, she experienced the worst kind of rejection. She was the victim here, yet Kathlyn and her child's well-being and happiness were all her parents cared about.

Sometimes, she wondered if these people were really her parents. They already knew her sister and fiancé were having an affair all this time, yet they didn't bother to tell her. Did they believe that she deserved to suffer?

Her heart ached with resentment as she ran out of the huge villa. She had always felt like their second-best daughter, but now it seemed that the favoritism had taken a painful turn and became even worse. The knowledge of her parent's awareness of the affair intensified the hurt.

After staggering to the driveway, Kourtney got into her car again and started driving around aimlessly. Her tears flowed hard as she continued twirling in circles around Melbourne. She had nowhere to go or who to talk to right now.

Her best friend, Lilian Powell, was back in her hometown for a family function. Kourtney didn't want to bother Lilian with her problems, knowing she would be busy.

After a few hours, she started to pull herself together. She had always admired herself for being a strong person who never let anyone or anything break her down. The time of crying was over. She had no intention of shedding any more tears over those horrible people.

She quickly gathered her thoughts and was able to process her next plan of action. She would move away immediately to the USA and start a brand new life. She wanted to leave behind the painful memories and heartbreak.

Kourtney packed her car on the roadside and started wiping her tear-stained face with tissues. She then applied light and delicate makeup to cover her red and puffy cheeks. As a natural beauty with emerald green eyes and thick brown locks, she didn't need to use too much makeup for her beauty to radiate.

Once she saw herself in the mirror and realized she looked fresh and presentable enough, she started driving toward the Melbourne international airport to book her flight. The evening was approaching, so she chose to take a shortcut on a less busy one-way street to get there faster.

As she drove down the streets, she was distracted and lost in her emotions. Her thoughts were consumed by heartbreak and betrayal.

Suddenly, a car approached from the opposite direction, honking its horn loudly. Startled, Kourtney tried to veer out of the way, but it was too late. The two vehicles collided head-on, causing a jolting impact and screeching tires.

"Ahhhhh!" Kourtney cried out as her entire body jerked forward with full force.

"Get the fuck down and check the damage, Martins." Sebastian Woods commanded his chauffeur while he straightened his slightly rumbled Armani suit. His baritone voice was icy and cold, as usual.

"Yes, Boss," the short man in his early fifties who almost peed in his pants rushed out of the car in a panic. Just now, he nearly met a fatal end, but his wicked boss didn't seem to care.

Sebastian's special assistant Jamie also excused himself and followed the driver to inspect the damage caused by the accident. His two tall and sturdy bodyguards scurried out as well, while Sebastian was left alone in the backseat of the car. He was fuming with anger at the moment, and no one wanted to face his wrath.

His extremely handsome face was like a 'masterpiece' even as it twisted with anger, his eyes displaying a noticeable reddish shade.

"I bought this car less than a week ago for sixty million dollars, and now this?"

Losing money, no matter how 'little' was one of the things he hated the most.

He signed deeply in frustration. Today hasn't been a good day for him at all as he kept getting into one misfortune or the other. It was as if the universe was against him or something.

Just this morning, Sebastian woke up to find his alarm clock malfunctioning, causing him to oversleep by a good one hour. As a result, he had to rush through his morning routine, skipping his usual yoga session that helped him maintain his composure and physique.

As he stepped into the shower, he was greeted by a sudden blast of cold water.

"Fuck," he shouted in despair. The water heater had also decided to malfunction at the most inconvenient time, leaving him shivering and frustrated. He finished his shower, feeling more irritated than refreshed as he couldn't shake off the chill that lingered in his bones.

After dressing up meticulously, Sebastian hurriedly made his way to the breakfast table. But then he realized that his butler had served him lukewarm coffee instead of his preferred steamy hot cup. The bitter taste only added to his already growing frustration.

"Can't you handle something as simple as my morning coffee anymore? What happened to your memory? Uh?" Sebastian snapped with an intimidating aura, his impatience evident in his voice.

He was already running late, and then the setbacks kept coming.

"I'm deeply sorry, Sire. It won't happen again."

The butler, flustered and apologetic, assured Sebastian that he would take care of it as quickly as possible by serving him his preferred coffee. But being the unforgiven and impatient man Sebastian was, he was unwilling to wait for the butler to sort it out.

"Keep your sorry to yourself," Sebastian replied, his voice as rigid as stone.

He left his mansion angrily without eating breakfast or drinking his beloved coffee. However, the unfortunate incidents continued to plague him.

As he stepped outside, ready to leave for work he noticed that his long-time chauffeur, Mr Martins, who was usually punctual, was nowhere to be seen. Sebastian's patience wore thin as he tapped his foot impatiently, glancing at his expensive wristwatch every few seconds.

Finally, the black sleek custom-made Rolls-Royce arrived, but as Sebastian entered the car, he immediately noticed an unpleasant smell wafting through the interior.

Annoyed, he demanded an explanation from his chauffeur, who sheepishly apologized for accidentally leaving a half-eaten sandwich behind from last night. The stench made Sebastian's already sour mood even worse, and he had to roll down the windows to let in some fresh air.

At the office today, he kept facing issues as well. First, his once-diligent favorite assistant, Jamie had mistakenly scheduled two crucial meetings at the same time, causing confusion and inconvenience for Sebastian and the clients involved.

Then, as he was preparing for a video conference with his wealthy Arab investors, his laptop suddenly crashed, causing him to lose all the progress of the business plans he had made. To add to his frustration, his office's air conditioning unit suddenly malfunctioned, leaving the room sweltering hot.

Despite several attempts to call for maintenance, the issue remained unresolved, forcing Sebastian to endure the discomfort throughout the day. Everything just went south and he didn't achieve anything meaningful at work today. He was in a very foul mood and was finding it difficult to mental his usual composed demeanor.

He was "The Sebastian Woods," the billionaire CEO of the renowned Woods Corporation. Not to mention, he was the eldest young master of The Woods, who was the most powerful and influential family in all of Melbourne. He was the heir to their vast empire worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

Even though he kept a low profile, Sebastian held a firm grip on the business world. At just 29 years of age, he controls a vast range of industries, from real estate to technology to finance, entertainment, healthcare, and more. His empire extended far beyond Melbourne's borders and spanned continents.

It was his strategic investments and bold decisions that propelled the Woods Corporation to unimaginable heights of success when he became the CEO seven years ago. This also pushed him to the top 30 of Forbes' list of the world's wealthiest individuals.

His influence reached every corner of society, from politicians seeking his support to aspiring entrepreneurs hoping for his investment.

Sebastian was not just a billionaire CEO; he was also a lord with immense power and control.

Rumors circulated about his ruthless tactics, the unyielding force with which he crushed his competitors and adversaries. Many had witnessed the downfall of prominent figures who had underestimated his power.

Sebastian's wealth and influence allowed him to shape the city's landscape according to his desires. Skyscrapers bore his name, and his influence seeped into the fabric of everyday life.

His mere presence evoked a sense of authority and dominance, commanding the attention of everyone around him. He was used to getting what he wanted, anyhow he wanted it, so of course, having this type of upsetting experience was rare for him.

And right now, just when he thought things couldn't get any worse, his car suddenly encountered a brake failure on his way back from work. He found himself lurching forward, his heart pounding hard as the chauffeur desperately tried to regain control of the vehicle. Sebastian's life flashed before his eyes as he braced himself for the impact that seemed inevitable, just like the one he experienced before.

Seven years ago, right before he took the business world by storm, he was in a car accident. He got trauma from it, and also a mental sickness that made him 'less of a man.'

Just as it seemed that another catastrophic accident was looming, his skilled and experienced chauffeur managed to maneuver the failing car into getting a minor head-on collision with another vehicle on the one-way street.

The screeching of tires filled the air as the two cars bumped into each other, causing a jarring but not-so-severe impact. Shaken but relieved to be alive, Sebastian took a moment to collect himself before barking at his chauffeur to check out the damage.

He looked at the road ahead with furrowed brows and bloodshot eyes. It wasn't a busy street and there weren't too many cars passing by. Then his deep blue eyes caught sight of something. Not actually something, someone!

It was a person, a lady, and she was talking to his driver. His cold and sharp eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the woman.

He immediately assumed that she was the driver of the other vehicle involved in the collision. His initial intention was to stay put in the safety of his car and let his people handle the situation.

However, as he observed the way her long brown hair cascaded down her shoulders, he felt an unfamiliar fluttering sensation in his chest. His eyes darkened in an instant.

Sebastian's mind raced, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar emotions swirling within him. A curious pull, a strange sensation, urged him to step out of his vehicle and approach the scene. His dark eyes kept flashing with barely visible light, making it hard to guess what he was thinking.

He got down from the car and strolled powerfully in long strides, both hands tucked in his pockets. As the most powerful business tycoon in Melbourne, he possessed an intimidating aura, sending chills down the spines of those who dared to cross his path. With his sharp features, piercing blue eyes, raven black hair, and a chiseled jawline, he exuded an air of confidence that demanded respect.

After approaching them, he positioned himself behind the lady, maintaining a safe distance yet close enough to catch their conversation. She did not notice his arrival as she stood in front of the chauffeur with her back to him.

He cleared his throat abruptly and spoke up, directing his words at her.

"Excuse me, I own the car. This man is my driver, so what's the matter?" Sebastian's baritone voice carried an air of authority and bossy vibes.

But when the woman turned to face him, his breath immediately caught in his throat. Her striking emerald green eyes met his deep blue set, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.

Sebastian had always prided himself on being in control of every situation, but the intensity of their eye contact momentarily shook him. It was as if a jolt of electricity coursed through his veins while his heart kept pounding in his chest.