Unrivaled In The World: Rise of Kaiden Blackwood

Chapter 1.

Kaiden Blackwood waited in the living room, his fingers tightening around the small velvet jewelry box and inside was an heirloom, an exquisite necklace passed down from his mother. A symbol of love, loyalty, and legacy.

Astrid would love it, he smiled to himself.

Their wedding was close. Their family was growing. Everything was perfect.

And tonight, he would show her how much she meant to him.

The sound of a car pulling into the driveway made his chest tighten. Astrid was home.

Kai stood quickly, but before he could move, a soft and breathy moan stopped him.

Confused, he stepped toward the window, pulling the curtain back just enough to see outside.

And that was when his entire world froze.

Astrid.

She was in another man’s arms.

Kai’s fingers clenched around the jewelry box as the full image of the man came into view.

Reginald Thompson.

A crafty fraud. He married into money, then dumped his wealthy spouse.

Posing a respectable entrepreneur, he was nothing more than a greedy, lust-driven parasite.

Now, his hands were on Astrid.

The older man pinned Astrid against the hood of his sleek black car, his hands roaming freely, gripping her hips with familiar possession.

Astrid let out a breathy moan, tilting her head back as Reginald’s lips trailed down her throat.

Kai’s grip on the jewelry box tightened.

His knuckles turned white.

How could that be real?

Reginald’s hand slid up Astrid’s thigh, gripping possessively.

She let out a soft, breathy giggle.

“Easy, love,” she teased. “I thought rich men were supposed to have patience.”

Reginald let out a low chuckle while his hand slipped under her dress. He kissed her again, rougher this time, hungrier.

Then, he paused, lips still pressed against her jaw. “We shouldn’t be doing this here,” he murmured, mock concern lacing his tone. “What if that loser Kai sees us?”

Astrid giggled, trailing a finger down his chest.

“Kai?” she scoffed, eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. “That loser?”

She pressed her lips back to Reginald’s ear, whispering loud enough for Kai to hear.

“Please. He’s probably still at the factory, unloading cargo like the little pathetic worker bee he is.”

Reginald chuckled, slipping his fingers further up her thigh.

Kai’s breath hitched.

His vision blurred.

Was there something wrong?

His Astrid would never speak like that.

Reginald smirked, eyes gleaming with arrogance.

“So, when do we tell him?”

Astrid sighed dramatically, tilting her head as if considering. “Let’s wait. I kinda like watching him play house.”

“ He actually believes he’s going to be my husband.”

She pouted mockingly. “Isn’t that just…adorable?”

Kai’s chest constricted.

Reginald smirked.

“Honestly,” he said, amusingly, “I almost feel bad for the guy. All those extra hours, all those back - to - back shifts…just for you and the unborn child.”

He shook his head with mock pity.

“The guy works like a dog and still thinks he’s worth something.”

Astrid giggled, trailing her hands down Reginald’s chest.

“Kai’s a joke, Reginald. That loser doesn’t know his place.”

She pressed closer, voice dropping into a sultry whisper.

“He was never meant to be my husband.”

Kai’s body trembled.

Astrid knew what he went through every day to give her a comfortable life. She knew how much he loved her.

And yet…

She stood there, pressed up against another man, mocking him like he was nothing.

Reginald grinned. “I have to admit, though… It was nice having someone else cover some of your bills while I had my fun.”

Astrid moaned softly, curling against him.

“Of course,” she purred. “Why spend your money when I had a perfectly good puppy willing to do whatever I wanted?”

Reginald chuckled. “He probably thinks you love him. And I’m grateful to him for taking care of my child for four months.”

Kai’s entire world stopped.

Astrid sighed dramatically, running a hand through Reginald’s hair.

“He’s delusional,” she said. “But I figured, why not let him live his fantasy for a little longer?”

Her smile widened.

“Watching him try so hard…it’s entertaining.”

Kai froze.

His mind blanked. His body went cold.

Reginald’s child.

Not his.

The woman he had loved. The family he had imagined.

All lies.

His body shook. His throat tightened.

Before he could stop himself, he moved.

The front door swung open.

Astrid and Reginald jerked apart, turning toward him.

But there was no fear.

No guilt.

Just annoyance.

Astrid sighed, crossing her arms. “Well, there goes my mood.”

Reginald smirked. “Well, well. If it isn’t the housemaid.”

Kai’s voice was ice. “Say it again.”

Reginald arched a brow. “Say what?”

Kai’s fists clenched. “Whose child is it?”

Reginald didn’t even blink. “Mine.”

The air left Kai’s lungs.

He turned to Astrid, waiting for anything. Denial. Panic. A shred of remorse.

But her eyes flickered with brief surprise and it vanished just as quickly, replaced by mocking amusement. She tilted her head, her lips curling into a sneer.

“Oh, Kai.” She exhaled, shaking her head as if he was the disappointment. “You actually thought I loved you, didn't you?”

Kai’s chest tightened.

Astrid let out a soft chuckle. “I mean, come on. You? A husband? A father?” She scoffed. “Don’t make me laugh.”

Kai’s fists clenched at his sides. “I gave you everything I could.” His voice was raw, wounded.

Astrid rolled her eyes. “And what exactly is everything? Cheap dinners? A life of struggle?” She gestured toward Reginald. “Look at him, Kai. Look at what a real man provides.”

Reginald smirked. “It’s nothing personal, kid. She just upgraded.”

Kai’s body trembled. “You lied to me,”

Astrid sighed dramatically. “Did I?” She stepped closer and chuckled. “You make it sound so cruel.”

She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. “I was actually doing you a favor. Don't you have more energy to make money?"

Kai’s vision blurred.

Astrid smirked. “But let's be real. You were never worthy of me. And you were definitely never worthy of fathering my child.”

Reginald let out a low laugh. “Damn. That’s brutal.”

Astrid shrugged. “Just the truth.”

She flicked her gaze back to Kai, her amusement fading into boredom. “Honestly? I’m tired of this conversation.” She crossed her arms. “Let’s just end this now. I’m calling off the wedding.”

His vision blurred as the truth sank in.

How could she?

How could she said such words so brazenly after deceiving, hurting and humiliating him?

Reginald let out a mock sigh, reaching into his coat.

With a lazy flick of his wrist, he pulled out a few crumpled banknotes.

He waved them between his fingers, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Here.” His voice was casual, dismissive. “Go buy yourself something nice, kid, that is the compensation for what you spent on her and my child.”

Kai stared at the crumbled wad of cash.

The final insult.

The final nail in the coffin.