Claimed At First Sight

CHAPTER 8: SHOULD I BE WORRIED?

The club wasn't Reign's usual scene. It’s always too loud, too crowded, for her comfort.

But Faeth had insisted, and after the things Reign had endured, from Asher's betrayal, to the hasty marriage, to the confrontation with Kora and Asher at her father's house, she needed this. She needed to sit with her best friend and pretend, for a few hours, that her life wasn't completely falling apart.

"…and then he had the audacity," Faeth was saying, her third drink almost spilling, "to tell the entire class that my project was basic. Basic! I cited six sources! Six!"

Reign smiled, stirring her own drink absently. "That's terrible."

"Right?!" Faeth slammed her glass down, eyes wide. "Like, if he had a problem with my presentation or me, he could've pulled me aside after class and told me privately. But no, he had to humiliate me in front of thirty people. I swear, Rey, I used to think Professor Caldwell was hot. Like, objectively attractive. But now?" She made a disgusted noise. "I see his face, and I want to throw something."

"Maybe don't throw things at your professor," Reign said, laughing at her friend's drama.

"I'm not saying I will. I'm just saying the urge is there." Faeth took another gulp of her drink, then sighed dramatically. "God, I hate him. I used to have the biggest crush on him, you know? And now he's just... ruining my life."

Reign's smile softened. This was Faeth, loud, dramatic, and unfiltered. The heiress to the Rothwell empire, one of the wealthiest families in the country, and she spent her Friday nights complaining about film school professors whom she once had a huge crush on.

Faeth had never cared about the family business. "That's my father's world," she'd say whenever someone brought it up. "And he's dead. So now it's Asher's problem, not mine."

After her parents died in a car accident five years ago, Asher, her uncle, had taken over Rothwell Holdings. Faeth had been offered a seat on the board when she got to age, but she'd declined.

"I'd rather die than become boring and stiff," she'd told Reign. "That's what happens when you care about quarterly earnings and shareholder meetings. You lose your personality. No thanks."

Instead, Faeth had thrown herself into film production, video creation, and content making, things that made her truly happy, and let her stay wild and free.

Reign envied that, sometimes. The freedom to just... not care.

"Anyway," Faeth said, waving a hand dismissively. "Enough about me and my tragic academic life. Let's talk about you."

Reign's stomach tightened, her brow raised. "Me?"

"Yeah, you." Faeth leaned forward, eyes narrowing playfully. "I heard you quit."

Reign blinked. "Quit?"

"Yeah,” She rolled her heavily made-up eyes. “I'm not gonna lie, Rey, I'm a little offended I had to hear it from someone else. But also, why? I thought you loved that job. You were doing so well there."

Reign's grip tightened on her glass.

She doesn’t plan to tell Faeth about her relationship with Asher because if Faeth knew about the secret relationship, about the fact that Reign had been sleeping with her uncle for three years, she'd never be able to look her in the eye again.

It's better to let it fade quietly since it already ended.

"I just needed a break," Reign said carefully, forcing a smile. "It wasn't personal. I've been working nonstop since I graduated, and after the surgery, I realised I needed to slow down. Take care of myself."

It wasn't entirely a lie.

Faeth's expression shifted immediately, concern flooding her features. "Oh my God, Rey, I'm such a terrible friend."

"What? No…"

"Yes! I am!" Faeth countered, looking guilty. "You just had surgery two weeks ago, and I didn't even ask how you were feeling. I just dragged you out here to drink and complain about my professor. I'm the worst."

"Faeth, stop. I'm fine."

"Are you sure? Does it still hurt?"

"Just a little. When I move too fast or twist wrong. But it's normal. The doctor said it'd take a few weeks to fully heal."

Faeth bit her lip, still looking guilty. "If you need anything, like anything, you tell me, okay? You need a job? I'll find you one. You need money? I'll…"

"I don't need money."

"…well, you might, and if you do, I'm here. That's all I'm saying."

Reign's chest ached.

Faeth was a good friend. The best friend she'd ever had, and she was lying to her.

"Thank you," Reign said softly. "Really. I appreciate it."

Faeth squeezed her hand, then sat back, picking up her drink again. "Okay. No more heavy stuff. Let's just…"

"Is that Reign?"

Reign's entire body went rigid.

Kora?

Reign looked up slowly, and there she was, her stepsister, dressed in a skintight red dress that left little to the imagination. And beside her, his hand resting possessively on the small of her back, was Asher, who doesn't look too pleased.

Well, the feeling was mutual.

"Oh my God, Reign!" Kora's face lit up with exaggerated surprise. "I didn't know you'd be here! What a coincidence!"

She turned her fake smile to Faeth. "It's so good to see you too! How have you been?"

Faeth gave Kora a tight smile, then she turned to Asher. "What are you doing here, uncle?"

Either Kora was deaf to the fact that Faeth was referring to Asher, or just too dumb, because she leaned into Asher and replied. "Oh, you know. Ash's been so busy lately, so I thought he deserved a night out."

Ash?

Reign's nails dug into her palm.

Faeth stared Kora down. "Well, we're kind of in the middle of something, so…"

"Since we're here," Kora cut in, beaming. "Do you guys mind if we join you?"

Faeth opened her mouth to reply, but before she could get the words out, Kora was already moving.

She grabbed Asher's hand and practically dragged him toward the table, pulling out the chair beside Reign and plopping down so close to Asher that she was practically sitting on his lap.

Faeth's jaw tightened, and Reign said nothing.

"So," Kora said brightly, settling into her seat. "What are we drinking? Cosmos? Marti...? You’re drinking?” Kora’s brows lifted, eyeing Reign's part of the table. “Rey, are you sure that’s a good idea after surgery?”

“Of course you are,” Kora said without waiting for Reign's response. “It wasn’t anything major, right? Just appendicitis!”

Reign said nothing. She was counting seconds and the distance between her hand and Kora’s face, while Faeth took a long sip, trying not to explode.

After a few moments of tense silence, Kora leaned forward, her smile too bright. “Oh, speaking of which, Reign… how did your blind date go?

Reign's stomach dropped.

Faeth's head whipped toward Reign, her expression screaming What is she talking about?

Kora...this b***h!

Kora noticed Faeth's reaction and gasped, pressing her fingers to her lips in mock surprise. "Oh no. You didn't tell Faeth?" She looked between them. "I'm so sorry, Rey. I didn't mean to, I just assumed you'd told your best friend."

Reign refused to meet Faeth's eyes.

Kora sighed dramatically. "I guess I understand why you didn't mention it. I mean, I heard the family hasn't called back yet. So I'm assuming it didn't go well?"

Reign's fingers curled around her glass, but Kora continued, oblivious, or pretending to be. "Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Blind dates are so unpredictable, and sometimes, most families have certain... standards. Especially wealthy families. They're very particular about who they let in. And I’m guessing they weren't impressed…"

"Okay, you know what…" Faeth slammed her glass down. "...shut the f**k up!"

Kora gasped, and Asher's expression darkened.

"Faeth…" Asher started, his voice low and warning.

Faeth leaned forward, her eyes blazing. "I don't care if you're dating my uncle. But you don't get to sit here and talk to my friend like that."

"I was just…"

"Bullshit..."

“You know,” Reign cut in calmly, “some people are born to charm… and some people embarrass themselves without even trying. You’re definitely the latter.”

Faeth made a soft howl sound, and Kora's mouth opened and closed, her brain clearly working to figure out if she'd just been insulted.

Reign stood, smoothing down her dress. "If you'll excuse me, I need some air."

And before anyone could respond, she turned and walked toward the restroom.

…..

Three minutes later, Reign stepped out of the restroom and froze when she saw Asher leaning against the wall, his glare fixed on her. She looked away and started to walk, but Asher pushed off the wall and stepped directly in front of her.

"We need to talk."

"We have nothing to talk about."

"Really?" His eyes narrowed. "Because from where I'm standing, you're acting like a scorned ex."

Reign frowned. "Excuse me?"

"You know exactly what I mean. Did you have to insult Kora?"

"I didn't insult her."

“You did. She was being nice while you were trying to make a scene.”

“Oh, really?” Reign scoffed. “That’s your idea of nice?”

He stepped closer, voice low. “Keep this up, and people will notice. They’ll wonder why you act this way.”

She stared at him in disbelief. "And that's a problem?" she spat. "You lied to me for three years, Asher. You told me we'd go public. You told me you loved me. And now you're parading Kora around like she's..."

"She's my girlfriend," Asher interrupted. "And you need to accept that."

Her stomach dropped. "We... we were together. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

"Were we?" Asher tilted his head. "Or did you just think we were?"

Her heart shattered.

"What?"

"I gave you attention, affection, and good s*x. But that doesn’t make it a relationship."

What?

"You... you said you loved me."

"I said a lot of things." He shrugged. "People say things in bed. Doesn't make them true."

Reign’s hands shook, tears burning at the back of her eyes. “You’re disgusting.”

Asher's expression hardened. "And you're delusional. I never promised you anything, Reign. You built this fantasy in your head, and now you're upset it didn't come true. That's not my problem." He leaned closer. "We used each other. You wanted someone to make you feel good. I obliged. Don't act like you're some innocent victim."

Reign's hand moved before she could think.

She slapped Asher, then she turned and walked out, tears streaming down her face.

….

Stupid. You're so stupid. Why did you think he'd ever choose you?

Reign wiped at her eyes, fumbling with her phone, as she tried opening a ride-hailing app on her phone, intending to call a car, but no drivers were available in this area.

Reign groaned.

Of course. This was an elite club, and people who came here didn't book rides. They had drivers, chauffeurs. Just like she had ridden in Faeth's car, but she didn't want to go back in there. She didn’t want to explain anything to her friend tonight.

She tried again. Still nothing.

This night couldn’t get any worse.

She pressed her palms to her eyes, trying to stop the tears, but they kept falling. She felt pathetic and broken, and the chilly wind made her shiver.

"Should I be worried?"

Reign's entire body went still.

She knew that voice.

Slowly, she turned, and there he was, her husband, hands in his pockets, ice-blue eyes locking on her with a stare that made her breath catch.

"What are you doing here?" Reign's voice came out shaky, almost like a whisper.

Dashiell's gaze swept over her, taking in her tear-streaked face, dishelved chocolate-brown hair, her trembling hands, the way she was standing alone on a dark sidewalk at nine o'clock at night.

His jaw tightened.

"Funny, I could ask you the same thing."