Outsmarting The Devil
1323 Words
Khan’s hands trembled as she gripped the fabric of her dress. Harold’s words echoed in her mind like a death sentence. Betray Liam. Or lose her sister.
She lifted her gaze, meeting his sharp, calculating eyes. “You’re a monster,” she whispered.
Harold merely smirked, as if her insult meant nothing to him. “I’m a businessman, Miss Coco. And business is about making the right choices.”
Khan swallowed hard. The weight of his ultimatum crushed her chest. She wanted to scream, to fight back, but what could she do? The man held all the power, and worst of all, he knew it.
“You don’t have to answer now,” Harold said, stepping back as if he hadn’t just ripped her world apart. “But don’t take too long. Mei doesn’t have time.”
He left the room without another word, leaving behind a suffocating silence. Khan sat frozen, her body numb.
A million thoughts flooded her mind. She had come into this marriage for Mei, and now, the very thing she had fought so hard to protect was the price Harold demanded.
She squeezed her eyes shut. How could she do this? How could she turn on Liam?
She thought of the way he had looked at her earlier at the hospital, his rare moments of kindness, the way he had started to trust her, the way he had defended her against Khloe.
He wasn’t the heartless CEO she had once thought. And somehow, in these few weeks, their fake marriage had begun to feel… less fake.
And now she had to destroy it.
Khan wiped at the frustrated tears forming in her eyes. No. She wasn’t going to break down. She had to think. There had to be another way.
But no matter how hard she searched for a loophole, one ugly truth remained—Harold had her trapped.
A sharp knock at her door jolted her. Her heart nearly stopped. Had Harold returned?
She hesitated before slowly opening it.
Liam stood there. His gaze immediately flickered over her face, reading her like a book. “What happened?”
Khan forced a smile. “Nothing. Just… tired.”
Liam didn’t buy it for a second. He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “Khan. Don’t lie to me.”
His voice was calm, but there was a quiet demand beneath it.
She exhaled, looking away. “It’s Mei. Harold knows about her condition.”
His expression darkened. “Of course he does. What did he say?”
Khan hesitated. She wanted to tell him everything, to let him fight this battle for her. But Harold’s words echoed in her head. If Liam got involved, Mei would suffer.
She forced herself to shake her head. “He just… made a few comments. Tried to get under my skin.”
Liam studied her for a long moment. Then, to her surprise, he reached for her hand. His fingers were warm against her cold skin.
“You’re not alone in this,” he said quietly.
Khan’s breath hitched. She wanted to believe him. She really did. But Harold had ensured that she was alone.
She nodded, even though the weight of her secret crushed her.
Liam didn’t let go of her hand. Instead, he gave it a small squeeze before finally stepping back. “Get some rest.”
She could only nod again, watching as he left the room.
As soon as the door closed behind him, Khan let out a shaky breath.
She had never felt more trapped in her life.
---
The next day, Khan barely touched her breakfast. Her mind was spinning, trying to find a way out of Harold’s trap.
Liam sat across from her at the massive dining table, watching her closely.
“You’re not eating,” he said.
She forced a small smile. “Not hungry.”
Before he could question her further, the dining room doors swung open, and Vivian strode in.
She was one of the few people in this house who didn’t make Khan feel like an outsider. Her sharp wit and unapologetic honesty had surprised Khan, especially since she was Harold’s daughter.
Vivian took one look at Khan’s pale face and frowned. “What did my father do?”
Khan’s fork froze in midair. She quickly shook her head. “Nothing.”
Vivian arched a brow. “You’re a terrible liar.”
Liam’s gaze snapped to Khan, his expression turning sharp. “Khan?”
She forced herself to shrug. “It’s not a big deal.”
Vivian didn’t seem convinced, but she didn’t press. Instead, she looked at Liam. “Harold’s planning something. I can feel it.”
Liam exhaled. “When isn’t he?”
“This time it’s different,” Vivian muttered, crossing her arms. “I don’t know what, but whatever it is, it’s bad.”
Khan kept her expression blank, even as dread curled in her stomach.
Vivian wasn’t wrong. It was bad.
After breakfast, Liam was pulled into a business meeting, leaving Khan alone with her thoughts.
She wandered the estate, trying to clear her mind, but it was impossible. Harold’s ultimatum loomed over her.
She ended up in the library, where she found Vivian reading by the window.
Vivian looked up as she entered. “You look like someone with a heavy secret.”
Khan hesitated before walking over. Maybe… maybe Vivian could help.
She sat down beside her. “What would you do if you had to choose between someone you love… and doing the right thing?”
Vivian closed her book, her expression unreadable. “That depends. Are you choosing between a person… and Harold?”
Khan swallowed hard. “Yes.”
Vivian was quiet for a long moment. Then she sighed. “Let me guess. He’s using Mei against you.”
Khan’s eyes widened. “How did you—”
“My father is predictable. He finds your weakness and presses until you break.” Vivian leaned forward. “You don’t have to tell me everything, but let me make one thing clear—whatever he’s offering, it’s a trap.”
Khan bit her lip. “But what if I have no choice?”
Vivian’s gaze softened. “You always have a choice. But sometimes, both options suck.”
Khan exhaled shakily. “So what do I do?”
Vivian smirked. “You outsmart him.”
Khan frowned. “That’s easier said than done.”
Vivian leaned back, thoughtful. “True. But you’re married to Liam Carter. He’s no fool. If you tell him the truth—”
“I can’t.” Khan shook her head quickly. “If Harold finds out I told Liam, he’ll make things worse for Mei.”
Vivian’s expression darkened. “Of course he would.”
Silence stretched between them before Vivian spoke again, quieter this time. “You know, for all his faults, Liam isn’t our father.”
Khan glanced at her, surprised by the unexpected vulnerability in her voice.
Vivian shrugged. “Liam actually cares. He may not show it, but he does.”
Khan’s heart clenched. She knew that. She had seen it in the way Liam had been by her side at the hospital, the way he had comforted Mei.
And yet…
She was being forced to betray him.
Vivian watched her carefully before saying, “Whatever you decide, just know… you’re not as alone as you think.”
Khan blinked, momentarily stunned.
Vivian stood, stretching. “I’m going to take a walk. Maybe you should too. Fresh air helps when you’re drowning in your own thoughts.”
Khan managed a small smile. “Thanks.”
As Vivian left the library, Khan sat back, staring at the ceiling.
Maybe… maybe Vivian was right. Maybe there was another way.
But if she was going to outsmart Harold Carter, she had to do it fast.
And she had to do it without Liam finding out.
- Writer
