A Ring and a Claim
1148 Words
Chapter 11
A Ring and a Claim
Victor’s POV
The moment I stepped into the Benson living room, my anger boiled. Caroline and Matthew Benson were seated on the plush couch, looking far too composed for parents who had just sent their eldest daughter off with a ruthless man like Damian, who never cared about anyone but himself.
“What the hell were you thinking?” I exploded, pacing the room. “You just let her go with him? Without so much as a discussion with me?”
Caroline, always composed and calculating, folded her arms. “Victor, it’s not as simple as you’re making it out to be. We did our best to control the situation, but everything went south.”
“Not as simple?” I scoffed. “I’m still her fiance! Or have you all conveniently forgotten that she’s still wearing my ring? I never called things off, and by no means should you let her out of your sight.”
Matthew shifted uncomfortably but said nothing, his usual spineless deference to Caroline on full display. I wondered why he chooses to be indifferent in matters that concerns him.
“She left, Victor,” Caroline said coolly. “Damian Kane is a powerful man, well known for his influence. He stepped in when we were at a loss. What would you have us do? Let her face public humiliation and ruin the family name? Of course not.”
“Public humiliation?” I retorted. “You mean your reputation, Caroline. Let’s not pretend this is about anyone but you and your political aspirations! You don't care about her, all you ever wanted is to project yourself as the perfect image of a great mother that you are not.”
Caroline’s lips tightened, but she didn’t deny it. You made no effort to.
I turned to Matthew, hoping for some semblance of reason. “Matthew, how can you sit there and let this happen? Amara is your daughter. She’s carrying a child, and there’s every chance that child is mine!”
Matthew surprised me by speaking up for the first time, but not directly against his wife. It seemed Caroline had something on him, and if he tries to stand up against her, she would sing like a bird. “Victor, let’s not be dramatic. Amara made her choice. If you want to fight Damian over it, that’s your cup of tea.”
“Dramatic?” I snapped. “You think I’m being dramatic? That man swoops in, makes a grand declaration, and you all hand her over like a pawn in some twisted game. Do you even care about what’s best for her or the unborn child?”
“Victor,” Caroline said, her tone icy, “Damian Kane is a man of means. He can provide for Amara and the baby in ways you can’t. You should be glad someone is trying to help out with the responsibility of taking care of the baby, that's if the pregnancy is truly yours as you claimed.”
That pinched hard. “I love her, Caroline,” I said, my voice low but firm. “And that should count for something. I allowed my anger to take the best of me, when I should have stood by her side. I should have listened to her explanations, at least, to get some closure.”
Caroline sighed, waving me off like I was an errant child. “Love is overrated. Stability is what matters. Now, if you’ll excuse us, I have a campaign to plan.”
Fuming, I stormed out of the house. My mind raced as I climbed into my car. Damian Blackwood thought he could just swoop in and take what was mine? Not a chance.
The Kane penthouse loomed above me, a pure reminder of just how outclassed I was in every material sense. But I wasn’t about to let that intimidate me.
I marched into the lobby, ignoring the receptionist’s protests as I headed for the elevator.
“Sir, you can’t...”
“Watch me,” I snapped, jabbing the button for the top floor furiously.
When the doors opened, Damian was already waiting, as if he had been expecting me. He stood casually, his hands in his pockets, but his expression was anything but welcoming.
“Victor,” he said, his voice calm but laced with steel. “What an unpleasant surprise.”
“Cut the crap, Damian,” I barked, stepping out of the elevator. “What do you think you’re doing, taking Amara like that? Did she give her consent, or you just dragged her to this place?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Last I checked, she wasn’t a piece of property. She made her choice, and by herself.”
“She’s still wearing my ring,” I shot back. “And there’s every possibility that the baby is mine. Or did she conveniently leave that part out? I have the right to be with my child, you can't deny me of my privilege.”
Damian’s jaw tightened, but his calm facade didn’t c***k. “Let me make something clear, Victor. Whether or not the baby is yours is irrelevant. Amara is under my protection now. You had your chance, and you blew it. By the way, how sure are you that she still want you? You left her in her lowest, but here you are whining like a child just to get the same thrash that you threw out.”
I took a step closer, my fists clenching at my sides. “You don’t know anything about what we had. You think you can just walk in and play the hero? You don’t care about her. This is just another power play for you.”
Damian’s eyes flashed with something dangerous. “Careful, Victor,” he said quietly. “You’re out of your depth.”
“Am I?” I challenged. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re the one intruding. Amara doesn’t love you. She’s only with you because you forced her hand. Release her this moment and see if she won't come running to me.”
Damian smirked, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “And yet, here we are. She wouldn't have left you in the first place if she ever loved you.”
I wanted to punch him, to wipe that smug expression off his face. But I knew that wouldn’t get me anywhere. Instead, I took a deep breath, stepping back.
“This isn’t over,” I said, my voice low but firm. “You can play your games, Damian, but you’ll never have what we had.”
He didn’t respond, just watched as I turned and walked back to the elevator. As the doors closed, I clenched my fists, determination coursing through me.
This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.
- Writer
