HIS LETHAL QUEEN

The obsidian Betrayal

Chapter: The Obsidian Betrayal

The small dining table served as a quiet sanctuary, illuminated by a single, warm lamp that cast elongated shadows across the modest room. The air was heavy with the comforting aroma of a home-cooked meal—a recipe passed down from her mother. Marry sat across from her grandfather, her own plate untouched as she watched him eat. Though frail, his movements remained dignified, each wrinkle on his face narrating a life lived entirely for her.

"Grandpa," Marry began, her voice a soft melody of hope. She reached out, covering his weathered hand with her own, feeling the faint, rhythmic beat of his pulse. "Just a little more time. I’m saving every single penny I can. I found a new bakery that pays better, and the owner is kind. Soon... very soon, I’ll have enough. We’ll get your heart operation scheduled. I won't let anything happen to you. You’re going to be with me forever."

The old man ceased eating, his cloudy, wise eyes fixing on her youthful, dreaming face. He sighed, a sound that carried the weight of ages. He reached out, his hand trembling slightly as he placed it gently on her head, like a sacred, parting blessing.

"My dear child," he whispered, his voice sounding like dry leaves crushing underfoot. "Life isn't about how long I stay. It’s about who stays with you when I’m gone. A true partner isn't someone who just stands with you when the sun is shining. A real companion, Marry... is the one who stands like an immovable rock when the world tries to wash you away. Remember this, my darling... the one who leaves you when the storm hits was never yours to begin with. Their 'love' was just a calm-weather loan."

Marry listened, her heart overflowing with blind, absolute devotion. In that moment, only one face flashed in her mind—Kai. She remembered his whispered promises of a "future" together, the warmth of his touches, and the secret life that was now growing within her—a silent, sacred proof of their bond. To her, Kai was that "rock." She smiled, blinded by a love that was already weaving a web of betrayal around her.

Later that night, the city outside was silent, but Marry’s mind was a whirlwind of dreams. She stood by the window, the cool night breeze brushing her face, the moonlight silvering the slums below. Her hand rested on her still-flat stomach, a protective, instinctive gesture born of a mother’s heart.

"My baby," she whispered to the darkness. "Soon, everything will change. We’ll be with your Dad in that big penthouse. When he finds out about you, he’s going to be the happiest man alive. I can already feel his strong arms wrapping around us. He’ll finally talk to his family, and he’ll fix everything... just like Grandpa said, Kai is my rock. My protector. He won't let any storm touch us."

She walked to her creaking wooden almirah and retrieved a small, hidden metal box. It was her "Grandpa Fund." She opened it, adding a few crumpled notes. It wasn't much, but it was every rupee she could spare. She ran her fingers over the small stack of money. "Just a little more," she whispered. "Then Grandpa will be healthy, and we will all be a family."

Miles away, in a room that seemed to absorb all light, the atmosphere was like an ancient tomb. The only illumination came from a massive wall of high-definition screens, each displaying a different image of the same person: Marry D’Souza.

The heavy, soundproof steel door creaked open. A young man stepped inside, bowing to the figure sitting in a massive leather chair. The man in the chair had his back turned, his face hidden in shadow, his eyes locked on Marry’s glowing image.

"Master," the subordinate whispered, placing a thick, leather-bound folder on the desk. "She is Marry D’Souza. This file contains every detail of her life, her history, and her routines... down to the last step she takes. Just as you requested."

The man in the chair didn't speak. He simply gave a slow, cold nod. The darkness around him seemed to deepen, like an obsidian throne.

In the opulent hallways of the William Mansion, Sarah—Kai’s mother—paced, her face a mask of anxiety. When Kai finally walked in, reeking of alcohol, she turned on him.

"You’re enjoying yourself while my life is hanging by a thread?" Sarah snapped. "Do you realize what is happening in a few days?"

"What? Another boring anniversary?" Kai groaned.

"It will be 30 years since your Grandfather set his conditions!" Sarah hissed. "For thirty years, I have lived as the 'other woman.' Arthur’s mistress. But now, the clock is ticking. You are 30. David is 34. If you marry a girl we choose—a girl from a powerful family—then I will finally be the Queen of this mansion, and you will be the King."

A wicked smile spread across Kai’s face. "Just wait. Your wish is about to come true. I’ll bring a 'bride' into this house very soon. And through her, the entire William fortune will be in our hands."

Deep within a private medical facility, David William sat by his mother’s bed. The ruthless CEO was gone; in his place was a broken, grieving son. A single tear fell from David’s cheek onto his mother’s cold hand.

"Mom... see," David whispered, his voice thick with resolve. "Your son won again today. I showed those enemies their place. But it’s not enough. I want them at your feet, begging for mercy. I promised I wouldn't break the law, but the day is coming when they will weep tears of blood. They will pay for every single tear you shed." He kissed her hand, his face hardening into stone. The war had begun.

The sun climbed over the horizon, casting golden light across the slums. Inside Marry’s room, there was a frantic, sacred energy. She packed a small bag, her hand resting on her stomach. "Today, my little one," she thought, "I’m going to tell your father everything. He’ll take us away from this struggle. And then... I’ll tell Grandpa. Everything will be perfect."

Across the city, David William stood by a floor-to-ceiling window. His phone buzzed. A detailed report on the William family assets and Kai’s movements was delivered. "Understood," David said, his voice devoid of emotion. He lit a cigar, the smoke swirling around him. "Just a little more time. The king is about to checkmate his opponent."

Back at the house, Marry moved to leave. As she turned, her sleeve caught on a porcelain vase—a relic from her childhood.

CRASH!

It shattered into a thousand pieces. Her grandfather flinched. "Marry... stop. Breaking glass in the morning is a terrible omen. Please, stay back."

Marry laughed, though it sounded forced. "Don't be superstitious, Grandpa! Today is the day your dream comes true." In her rush, she knelt to pick up the shards and sliced her finger open. Bright red blood dripped onto the floor. She wiped it on her skirt, ignoring the dread in her grandfather’s eyes.

An hour later, she stood before the William Penthouse. Her heart hammered against her ribs. She was finally here. But upstairs, Kai was with a woman named Lilly.

"My mom chose well," Kai chuckled. "You’re bold, modern, and high-class. A true William." Lilly kissed him deeply. Kai didn't care about the girl currently riding the elevator up.

The elevator dinged. Marry stepped out and pushed open the unlocked doors. She heard laughter coming from the bedroom. She pushed the door open, a smile on her lips, but it vanished instantly.

Kai was tangled in the arms of another woman. The gift bag slipped from her frozen fingers. Her world didn't just break; it vanished.

CRASH!

She stumbled back, hitting a side table. Kai and Lilly turned. Kai’s face transformed into a mask of predatory indifference. "How did you get in here? Entering without knocking? You pathetic, low-class girl!"

"Kai... please..." Marry reached out.

"Don't touch me with those filthy hands!" Kai roared.

"Was everything a lie?" Marry sobbed.

"Nobody, baby," Kai laughed, looking at Lilly. "Just a little 'doll' I used to pass the time. She's boring. A total waste of energy."

Rage flared in Marry. She lunged, grabbing his collar. "You knelt and promised me the world! I gave you my soul!"

Kai grabbed her wrists, squeezing until they threatened to snap. "Love you? You're a middle-class nobody. I am a William. You were never more than a bet. I vowed to break your pride, and I did. Now, crawl back to the gutter." He yanked her hair, forcing her to look at him. "You’re broken. You’re useless."

Lilly stepped forward and slapped Marry across the face. "Get out of our house!"

As Marry stumbled, her bag tipped over, revealing an envelope. The ultrasound report. Kai snatched it up, scanning the medical terms. "You're pregnant?"

A flicker of hope sparked in Marry. "Yes, Kai. It's our baby. Please..."

Kai began to laugh—a mocking, demonic sound. He ripped the report into tiny, jagged pieces, letting them fall like snow. "Who says this brat is mine? You’re nothing but a gold-digging whore."

Lilly joined the laughter. Marry sank to the floor, her fingers trembling as she gathered the shredded remains of her child's first image. She was alone. She was humiliated. The Marry who believed in fairy tales was buried alive.