THE KING’S HEIR

The Manhattan skyline burned gold and orange as the sun dropped between glass towers, the entire city humming beneath the Rowland family’s penthouse in Empire Heights. Inside the sprawling living room, light spilled over designer furniture, expensive art, and a bouquet of white lilies perched in a vase worth more than most people’s annual salary. But Joshua Rowland wasn’t looking at any of it. He was trying to slide his duffel bag over his shoulder as quietly as possible, inching toward the penthouse’s front door like a burglar. He didn’t want goodbyes. He wanted out. The zipper on his bag caught the edge of his jacket, scraping fabric with a harsh zippppp that echoed off marble floors. “Joshua.” The voice sliced the air like a razor. Joshua froze mid-step. His eyes drifted toward the white sectional couch facing the giant floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Central Park. Bianca Rowland reclined there, legs tucked primly beneath her. She wore an ivory silk blouse and fitted navy slacks that screamed uptown elegance. Draped against her shoulder was Jaxon George, who sprawled so comfortably beside her it was as though he’d been born on Fifth Avenue. The sight made something inside Joshua shrivel. He’d half-hoped to vanish before facing this scene. Jaxon’s arm curled around Bianca’s waist, his grin smug. His hair, styled in an expensive tousled look, gleamed beneath the recessed lights. Meredith Rowland emerged from a hallway, wearing a navy sheath dress and a string of pearls that rested over her collarbone. Her high heels clicked like gunshots against the floor as she approached, eyes locked on Joshua. “You thought you’d just slip out of here, Joshua?” she asked coolly. He swallowed. “I figured there was no need for dramatics.” “Dramatics?” Meredith’s brows shot up. “Running away like a thief in the night—that’s not dramatic to you?” Bianca let out a small laugh, almost musical. “Mother, please, he’s just embarrassed.” Joshua’s gaze flicked toward her. “Embarrassed about what? The fact that you’ve crawled into Jaxon’s lap before the dust even settled?” Bianca gave him a look of polite pity. “There’s no need to be cruel, Joshua.” “Funny,” he shot back, “coming from someone who’s practically annexed my life in a week.” Bianca gave a soft sigh. “Jaxon and I are happy, Joshua. Can’t you be gracious for once in your life?” Joshua’s eyes narrowed. “And how exactly am I supposed to be gracious about being replaced?” Meredith stepped closer, a cool breeze of Chanel No. 5 swirling around her. “Don’t be melodramatic. Bianca is our true daughter. She belongs here. You…” She waved a dismissive hand. “Your place is elsewhere now.” Joshua forced a brittle smile. “Elsewhere? Like where? Brooklyn? Queens?” Meredith’s voice was pure frost. “Don’t be vulgar. You’re not destitute. We’ve given you a good life for eighteen years. You should be grateful instead of slinking around the apartment like a stray cat.” Jaxon, shifting against Bianca’s side, said, “Why are we even talking about him, Mere? He’s leaving, right? Let him leave. He’s been acting high and mighty for years. Like he’s better than all of us.” Joshua turned his glare on Jaxon. “Don’t call my mother Mere. You’re not family.” Jaxon’s smirk widened. “Not yet. But soon.” He squeezed Bianca’s waist possessively. Bianca lowered her lashes demurely. “Joshua, don’t pretend you and Jaxon were ever meant to be. Jaxon and I… well, it just makes sense.” Joshua tilted his head. “Makes sense? Right. Because Jaxon’s more interested in the Rowland name than anything else.” Bianca’s eyes flashed, but Jaxon barked a laugh. “Please. You’re the fake, Joshua. You were never a real Rowland. I was the one stuck pretending to care about you all those years because I thought it was a done deal. Now that Bianca’s back, everything’s where it should be.” Joshua crossed his arms. “Let me guess. You’ve been dying to say that for years.” “Damn right I have,” Jaxon shot back. “No offense, but you’re just some nobody from who-knows-where. And you act like you’re better than everyone because the Rowlands raised you.” Joshua’s tone dripped disdain. “Better than you, at least.” Jaxon stiffened. Bianca quickly patted his arm. “Jaxon, don’t let him bait you.” Meredith sighed, exasperated. “Joshua, darling, don’t you see? Jaxon and Bianca are perfect together. You and Jaxon were never right for each other. This is how it’s supposed to be.” Joshua’s voice was flat. “Supposed to be according to whom?” “Fate,” Meredith said firmly. “You can’t force love. And it’s cruel of you to stand in Bianca’s way just because you’re… stuck on Jaxon out of habit.” Joshua barked a humorless laugh. “Oh, please. Jaxon spent half of high school trying to follow me around. Like a dog.” Jaxon’s jaw clenched. “Shut your mouth, Joshua.” “Or what?” Joshua shot back. “You’ll have your daddy buy me off?” Meredith interjected sharply, “Enough! Jaxon is right. You’re speaking out of turn. After everything we’ve done for you, this is how you repay us?” Joshua stared at her. “Everything you’ve done for me? I’ve spent the last three years keeping your business out of bankruptcy, Meredith.” Meredith stiffened. “Don’t be ridiculous. Charles is perfectly capable of running Rowland Enterprises.” Joshua’s tone went icy. “Sure. As long as someone else fixes his balance sheets behind the scenes. Who do you think negotiated your last three vendor contracts? Who kept the Midtown plant running after the supplier scandal? Me.” Jaxon barked a laugh. “Here we go. Mr. Genius. Always bragging. Always pretending you’re some Wall Street titan. Newsflash: no one cares.” Joshua c****d his head. “Funny. Charles seemed to care plenty when he was begging me to find new investors last year.” A sharp silence fell. Bianca and Jaxon exchanged uneasy glances. Meredith smoothed her pearls. “Joshua. It’s time for you to stop imagining yourself as the savior of this family. You’re leaving. That’s all there is to it. The sooner you accept that, the better.” Joshua’s voice was low. “Trust me, Meredith, I’ve accepted it. I’ve accepted that you’d rather see your ‘real’ daughter sitting next to a snake than keep the person who’s been propping up your company.” Bianca bristled. “I’m not a snake.” Joshua snorted. “Could’ve fooled me.” Jaxon sneered. “God, you’re exhausting. Just go already. What are you even waiting for?” Joshua looked toward the door, his duffel strap cutting into his shoulder. His eyes glinted under the penthouse lights. “I was trying to leave quietly,” he said softly. “But you people don’t know how to shut up.” Jaxon leaned forward, snarling, “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” Joshua gave a mocking salute. “Bless your heart, Jaxon.” Bianca, tone sugary, said, “Joshua, don’t be petty. Just wish us well and go.” Joshua fixed his eyes on Bianca. “Wish you well? I’d rather eat glass.” Meredith gasped. “Joshua!” But he ignored her, his eyes blazing.