Claimed At First Sight

CHAPTER 4: THE SHRILL

"Resignation?" The HR manager, a middle-aged woman named Patricia, looked up from her computer with raised eyebrows. "Are you sure you won’t reconsider staying? If it’s about the salary, I can try to negotiate with the leadership for you."

With Asher? Reign wanted to scoff, but she gave a small smile.

"It’s not about that, Patricia. I’m quitting for personal reasons that can’t be waved away," Reign said, her voice steady.

Reign had worked there for two years, hiding in plain sight, using her mother's maiden name, “Reign Wells,” so no one would connect her to the Sutton fortune. She had chosen that because she didn’t want attention, didn’t want people to be uncomfortable around her, and also so she and Asher could keep their relationship private.

There, everyone knew Reign as the serious, nerdy assistant to Asher’s personal secretary, Patricia. And even though it was hard for Patricia to let go of someone who was very meticulous, quick-witted, and handled both big and small matters appropriately, saving her a lot of trouble, unlike the other women who only applied to climb the social ladder, she had no power to keep Reign from leaving when she wanted to.

Sighing, Patricia nodded. "Alright. I'll process this, but you'll need a few signatures for exit clearance." She handed Reign a manila folder. "Lucky you, Mr Rothwell, just got back from his trip. You can take that up to his office, as he will need to sign off."

Asher? Oh, God, no!

Reign didn’t want to see him. She didn’t want to stand in his office, breathe the same air, and pretend she was fine. But she needed this done. So, with a reluctant sigh, Reign slipped another folder labeled “To sign” from the table.

“Thank you,” she said, her fingers tightening around the folders. “I’ll also get this signed.”

The elevator ride to the top floor felt like descending into hell.

Her heart pounded so hard she could feel it in her throat.

Just get the signature and leave. That's all.

But she knew Asher. He wouldn't want to sign the document without a question, and Reign wasn't in the mood for that. To execute her plan without raising Asher's suspicions, Reign discreetly inserted the page requiring Asher's signature into another document, ensuring that only the signature section was visible. The rest of the page was concealed by the other document.

The elevator doors opened, and Reign stepped out onto the executive floor.

Asher's office was at the end of the hall, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the entire city.

Reign's hands trembled as she walked toward it.

She paused outside the door, took a breath, and knocked.

"Come in," came his voice. It sent a shiver down her spine, but she shook off the feeling and pushed the door open.

Asher sat behind his desk, eyes glued to his laptop screen. He looked handsome as usual, dark hair slightly tousled, a sharp jawline clenched in focus, and an expensive black suit tailored perfectly to his frame. He looks devilishly handsome, and it breaks Reign's heart.

As if sensing her eyes on him, he looked up, and his eyes widened.

For a split second, something flickered across his face, surprise? Guilt? Reign couldn’t tell as it was gone, replaced by that slow, irresistible smile that used to make her heart race, and her knees weak.

He pushed his chair back and stood, opening his arms wide.

"Come here, baby."

His voice dropped into that low, seductive tone he always used when they were alone. The one that used to make her melt.

Don't. Don't fall for it.

But God, she wanted to. She wanted to run into his arms and pretend none of what she saw yesterday had happened. Pretend that she hadn't seen him kissing her stepsister or heard and imagined everything Faith explained. Pretend the last three years hadn't been a lie.

She wanted to feel his arms around her, but her feet stayed rooted to the floor.

Asher's smile faltered, and his arms dropped slowly to his sides.

"Reign?" he called, his eyes furrowing into something that looked like concern.

Reign forced herself to move, walking toward his desk with slow steps. Her expression was calm and unreadable.

She stopped in front of him and held out the folder. "I need you to sign these."

He frowned, taking the folder from her hands. "What is this?"

"They need your signature," she replied flatly, maintaining professionalism even though she was hurting inside.

Asher looked from her to the document. He flipped the folder open, skimming the first page without really reading it. His brow furrowed slightly, and Reign bit down on her lower lip.

If he flipped to the next page, then he would see the resignation letter in full.

But thankfully, he didn’t flip to the next page; instead, he grabbed a pen from his desk and scrawled his signature across the bottom of the first page.

Reign exhaled softly.

When he finished, he closed the folder and handed it back to her, his eyes searching her face.

"Okay. Done." He stepped closer. "Now tell me what's wrong."

Without meeting his gaze, Reign tucked the folder under her arm and turned to leave.

"Reign, wait…"

His hand shot out and grabbed her wrist.

"Let go," she said quietly, her eyes closed while her heart thrummed painfully hard.

"Not until you tell me what's going on." He tugged her closer, his other hand coming up to cup her cheek. "Is this because I didn't call you? Baby, I just got back this morning. I was swamped with meetings. I was going to surprise you tonight, I swear."

Lies.

Now that she knows the kind of person he is, she can see them in his eyes, hear them in his voice.

But four years ago, she would've believed him. Four years ago, she would've apologised for doubting him.

"Asher…"

"I know I should've called," he continued, his thumb brushing her cheekbone. "But I'm here now, aren't I?"

Of course, no apology. He never felt the need to apologize because, in his mind, he was never wrong. It was almost ironic that she was only seeing all of this now. Maybe she had noticed before… but love had covered those flaws and dressed them up as something beautiful, instead of warning her they were red flags.

Pissed at herself and him, she tried to pull away, but his grip tightened. And the next thing, he kissed her.

For one horrible, traitorous second, her body responded. Her lips parted, giving access to his tongue to tease the inside of her mouth. A moan slipped past her lips from the pleasure, and her hands almost, almost, reached for him, until a voice rang out from the doorway.

Asher jerked back so violently that Reign stumbled. She barely caught herself, her hands bracing against the edge of his desk.

Her mind spun, vision still dazed. What just…

"Kora!" Asher's voice was warm and breathy. "What are you doing here?"

Reign's blood turned to ice. Kora? Was that... was that why he almost made her fall?

Her heart clenched painfully, but she straightened slowly, forcing herself to look at him.

But he wasn't looking at her. Reign doubts he even noticed she was about to fall from how hard he had pulled away from her. She turned her gaze to her stepsister, who stood there in a tight red dress, designer heels, and perfectly styled hair. She looked like she was going for a photo shoot.

"Oh!" Kora's eyes widened dramatically as if she was just noticing Reign. "I didn't know it was you, sister."

Reign managed to hold back an eye roll as Kora glanced at Asher with a practiced pout. "Am I interrupting? I can wait outside if you’re busy…"

"No, no," Asher said quickly, waving a hand. "Reign was just leaving.”

Reign met his eyes, but there was nothing there. No guilt, no apology, not even a recognition of what he had just done.

With her chest tightening in pain, Reign said, "Yes, I was."

She picked up the folder and walked past Kora without another word.

She hadn't even shut the door before she heard Kora's high-pitched squeal.

"I miss you so much, babe!"

And Asher's low chuckle. "Isn’t that too soon? We..."

But Reign kept walking regardless.

She made it to the elevator before the tears started.

She jabbed the button, her vision blurring.

Don't cry. Don't you dare cry.

But she already was.

The elevator doors opened, and she hurried inside, pressing herself into the corner, arms wrapped around the folder like it could shield her from the pain tearing through her chest.

He had kissed her and then pushed her away the second Kora walked in. Like she was disposable. Like she was nothing but a trash can. And what hurt the most was that he was shameless about it. It was as if her feelings weren't valid. As if that was the most normal thing for her to witness.

The elevator dinged, signaling her stop. Reign quickly wiped her eyes and stepped out. She needed to retrieve her things from her desk. Pack up and leave the godforsaken pit of hell, and never look back. But as she walked back toward her office, she heard muffled voices near the break room.

Two women from accounting, Jessica and another whose name she couldn’t recall, stood huddled around a phone, giggling.

“You saw Kora Hayes going up to the VP’s office, right?” Jessica whispered.

“Yeah, I was surprised too.”

“Well, look.” Jessica pulled the phone closer to the other woman. “I went through her page… I think I just figured out who her mystery boyfriend is. Look.”

Reign slowed her steps, her stomach tightening as she watched them through the door.

“Wait, is that...” The other woman’s eyes widened, her hand flying to her mouth. “No way. That’s… that watch!” her voice lowered.

“I know!” Jessica said, zooming in on the picture. “It’s the same as the VP’s watch. Remember, it’s supposed to be custom-made. And now she’s here to see him personally. Do you see it?”

“No way… I knew she was dating someone rich, but I didn’t think it could be... OMG.” She screamed into her palm, eyes wide.

“I bet they’ve been together for years. She’s always posting about her ‘mystery man.’”

“God, I’m so jealous. Imagine dating someone like him.”

Reign stood frozen just out of sight.

Neither woman noticed her. They were too busy scrolling through Kora’s feed, giggling over their newly uncovered “secret.”

Even if they noticed her, they wouldn't feel bad, as no one knew of her relationship with Asher.

With a heavy exhale, Reign walked past them, packed her desk in silence, and soon she was out of the building.

Just as she reached her car, her phone rang.

Mother.

Reign closed her eyes, took a breath, and answered.

“Reign, we need to discuss the house situation.”

“There’s nothing to discuss.”

“Kora is very upset,” Miranda said, her voice dripping with false concern. “She’s made that place her home. She’s redecorated and brought in her things. Surely we can find you another property? Something newer, more modern...”

“No.”

“Reign…”

“That house belonged to Dad. He left it to me. So why should I give it up to someone who isn’t related to me?”

“You’re being unreasonable…”

“And you’re being manipulative.” Reign snapped, cutting her off, and that shut Miranda up. But Reign couldn’t care less. She was already having a bad day. “I’m taking back what’s mine. End of discussion.”

She hung up before Miranda could respond.

Fueled by anger, Reign decided to speed things up.

That afternoon, she hired a cleaning crew and a locksmith. She wasn’t going to wait for Miranda to “handle” the house situation. She was taking it back today.

The crew arrived at 3 p.m. Reign met them at the gate of her father’s estate, a vast property on the edge of the city, surrounded by trees and high walls.

She hadn’t been here in two years. One of the reasons was that Miranda had given it to Kora as a “gift” after the wedding.

But not anymore.

Reign unlocked the gate and led the crew inside. As she stepped in, she spotted a familiar Bentley parked in the driveway. Bile rose in her throat and threatened to spill when she saw what Kora had done to the inside of the house.

Kora had redecorated the house beyond recognition. The walls were now painted a flashy pink. The furniture was all wrong, modern and flashy, nothing like the warm, classic style her father had loved.

Reign’s jaw tightened in anger.

“Start with the first floor,” she told the crew. “I want everything packed and ready to move out by this evening.”

They nodded and got to work.

Reign climbed the stairs to the second floor, where she knew the intruders were. She walked down the hallway toward the master bedroom and froze at the doorway to her father’s room when she heard a sound.

Her brows furrowed. The sound came again, and she pushed the door open.

Inside, Kora and Asher were on the bed.

They weren’t naked, at least not yet, but the way they were kissing, clinging to each other, and groping each other while shamelessly moaning made it clear it wouldn’t take long.

Fury exploded inside Reign, her vision flashing red.

She didn’t say a word. She didn’t even announce her presence. Instead, she turned on her heel, walked into the bathroom of the next room, and grabbed the ceramic basin sitting by the sink. The house walls were soundproof, thankfully, so neither Kora nor Asher noticed the running tap.

Reign filled the basin with cold water, turned, and marched back into the bedroom.

By now, Asher had his shirt completely unbuttoned, his head buried in Kora’s bare chest. Neither of them noticed Reign as she stepped forward and dumped the entire basin over them.

The sound of water crashing onto their bodies filled the room, followed by a shrill scream.