Ryan sat in Caleb’s nursery, the faint glow of the nightlight casting shadows across the room. Caleb was finally asleep, his tiny fists curled close to his chest. The baby’s soft breaths were the only sound, but Ryan’s thoughts were a deafening storm. He leaned back in the rocking chair, guilt and anger gnawing at him.
Brenda had betrayed him. The evidence Amelia brought forward—the emails, the bribes, the trail leading back to Horizon—proved her involvement. She had endangered his company, his reputation, and even his family. And yet, here she was, trying to play the doting mother and partner.
The door creaked open, and Brenda stepped inside, a silk robe tied loosely at her waist. “You’ve been in here for hours,” she said, her tone soft but laced with something unspoken. “You should come to bed.”
Ryan didn’t look at her. “I’m fine here.”
Brenda sighed and moved closer, her bare feet silent on the carpet. She stopped beside him, her hand lightly brushing his shoulder. “Ryan, I know you’re angry. But everything I did—it was for Caleb. For us.”
He finally turned to her, his expression hard. “For Caleb? Don’t insult me, Brenda. You didn’t sell me out to Horizon for Caleb. You did it for yourself.”
Her eyes widened, feigning hurt. “That’s not fair. I was desperate. They offered me stability, security for Caleb. How could I say no to that?”
Ryan stood, careful not to disturb Caleb. He towered over her, his voice low and cold. “You endangered my family. You gave those people the ammunition they needed to come after my kids.”
“They’re not your family,” Brenda snapped, her calm façade cracking. “Caleb is your family. I’m your family. But you’re so obsessed with Amelia and those twins, you can’t see what’s right in front of you.”
Ryan’s fists clenched at his sides, but he forced himself to stay calm. “I’ll never abandon Damien and Debby, no matter how hard you try to push them out. So stop playing the victim and own up to what you’ve done.”
Brenda’s lips trembled, but the vulnerability was fleeting. She stepped closer, her robe slipping slightly from her shoulder, revealing a hint of smooth skin. Her voice softened, taking on a seductive edge. “You’re angry now, but you’ll see… we’re meant to be. Caleb is proof of that.”
Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “What are you doing, Brenda?”
She placed a hand on his chest, her fingers trailing down slowly. “You need me, Ryan. You always have. We’ve built something together—a child, a future. Amelia can’t give you that. She doesn’t understand you like I do.”
He grabbed her wrist, stopping her touch. His voice was sharp. “Don’t. Don’t try to twist this into something it’s not.”
Brenda tilted her head, her lips curling into a small smile. “You didn’t seem to mind being close to me before. Have you forgotten?”
Ryan’s jaw tightened, his grip firm but controlled. “What I regret is trusting you. You used me, and you tried to destroy everything I care about.”
Brenda’s voice softened, taking on an almost pleading tone. “Ryan, you have a clean slate here. With Caleb, with me. This could be your chance to build something real, something solid. Isn’t that what you want?”
He turned to face her, his jaw tight. “I want to do what’s right—for everyone.”
Brenda stepped closer, her eyes searching his face. “Then choose us. Let Amelia and the twins go, and focus on the family you have here. We need you, Ryan. Caleb needs you.”