Game of Love and Deception: The Billionaire's Ex Wife
Chapter 121: Betrayal

Chapter 121: Betrayal

The whole place erupted into chaos. Hearts pounded. Eyes darted.

Christian clutched little Bryan tighter, his eyes scanning frantically for the shooter who had taken down his men. When he saw no one, his gaze snapped back to Lorenzo—and the man holding a gun to his head.

"Kill him," Christian barked, fear flickering in his eyes.

Bryan burst into tears. Ashley could hear her heartbeat pounding in her ears.

"I’d think twice before following that order," Lorenzo said coldly, his voice steady but threatening.

The gunman stiffened. His gaze instinctively dropped to his chest—where a tiny red dot danced. A sniper’s laser. Sweat broke across his skin.

Christian noticed it too. Without hesitation, he yanked Bryan closer, dragging him toward the glass doors, using the crying child as a shield.

Lorenzo swore under his breath. He couldn’t risk a shot. Not with Bryan in the way.

Charlotte followed close behind Christian—but Lorenzo didn’t hesitate. He fired. The bullet tore into her left shoulder. She dropped to the ground with a loud, furious scream, clutching the part.

The man beside Lorenzo barely had time to move before another shot rang out—Lorenzo’s men took him down before he could cock his gun.

Christian released Bryan just before slipping past the door—he couldn’t move fast enough while carrying him.

Ashley rushed forward, scooping up the terrified child. She held him tight, rocking him, stroking his hair, whispering, "You’re safe now. It’s okay. You’re safe."

"Surround the building—bring him to me!" Lorenzo ordered.

He wanted to chase after Christian himself, but he couldn’t leave Ashley and Bryan alone.

Just then, three men in black dropped over the fence. Two charged into the building. One ran to Charlotte, grabbing her roughly and dragging her toward the gate.

"You’ll pay for this! Let me go!" she screamed, her voice twisted with pain and venom. Blood streamed from her wounded shoulder.

Lorenzo raced to Ashley and Bryan, dropping to his knees and wrapping them both in a fierce hug.

When they pulled apart, he scooped Bryan into his arms, holding him tightly against his chest.

"Uncle Lorenzo... I was very afraid," Bryan whispered, his voice trembling, weak from crying. He clung to his neck with small, shaky arms.

"I’m sorry," Lorenzo murmured, his voice cracking. "I’m so sorry, big man. I’m here now. You’ll never have to be afraid again." He stroked Bryan’s hair gently, his hand lingering with guilt and love.

So many emotions tore through him—rage, fear, guilt, regret. He never should’ve let them adopt Bryan. He should’ve done it himself.

He’d been scared of putting the boy in danger. But now, he’d almost lost him.

He pulled Ashley closer, wrapping her into the hug. He kissed her forehead again and again, like he was trying to convince himself she was real.

Seeing the two people he loved most in the world being held at gunpoint had clawed so much fear into his chest, he thought his heart might stop.

Ashley clung to Lorenzo’s shirt, confused and shaken. Her mind struggled to understand how a gun had ended up in his hand, but she wasn’t angry. He had protected them—with his life. And in that moment, the only thing that mattered was that neither he nor Bryan was hurt.

"I thought I was going to lose you," she whispered, hoarsely.

"I’m a hard one to get rid of, baby," he murmured with a weak smile. "But we have to get out of here now, okay?"

Ashley pulled back, her eyes falling on the lifeless bodies scattered across the ground. Her stomach twisted. The sight was haunting, and what made it worse was that Bryan had seen it all.

"What about them?" she asked, her voice low.

"That’s Christian’s problem, don’t you think?" Lorenzo replied. "We need to go—before they become ours too."

She nodded, letting him take her hand as they hurried out of the compound, Bryan still clinging tightly to his neck.

Her mind wandered to Charlotte—and she imagined all the dark, twisted things she wanted to do to that woman. None of them were good.

********

Meanwhile

Kayla drove toward Christian’s house, distraught. Tears spilled from her eyes, no matter how many times she wiped them away. Her mind kept circling back to the image she didn’t want to see again.

How could they betray her like that? Why?

She let out a louder sob, her heart tightening painfully. Lately, everything had been falling apart—like the universe had turned against her.

Christian had been acting cold toward her ever since the blacklist of some of his companies. Starved of his attention, she had told him she was going to visit her family, hoping to stay a few days and spend time with Calvin.

Now her throat ached. She slammed her hand against the steering wheel again and again, anger spilling through her as the image of what she saw burned into her mind.

*******

Earlier That Day

Excitement buzzed through Kayla as she drove into Spring City. The air felt lighter there. Calmer. She always loved how peaceful the place was.

She was thrilled to leave behind Christian’s sour moods. Here, she could breathe again—free from his scowls and the pressure of his problems.

Maybe, just maybe, by the time she returned, he’d have sorted out his company issues. Maybe they could go back to normal.

She missed the left turn that would have taken her to her family’s house and drove a little farther before taking the right, leading to Calvin’s place. He’d been swamped with work lately, barely able to respond to her calls or texts. But she understood. They had a plan, to leave the country together by the end of the year. They both needed to save up.

He’d be surprised. Maybe even thrilled to see her.

After another thirty minutes, her car rolled to a stop in front of a small bungalow. She felt worn out after nearly three hours of driving. Her shoulders ached, her back felt stiff, and all she craved then was the comfort of familiar arms around her. Honestly, she couldn’t even explain why she hadn’t taken a flight.

Carrying the gifts and other items she’d picked up along the way, Kayla headed toward the house. A small smile curved her lips as she climbed the three steps onto the mini balcony. Hopefully, he was back from work already—otherwise she’d have to wait in her car. But it was almost 2 p.m., and she expected him to be home.

She rang the doorbell. Waited.

Nothing.

She rang it again. Still silence.

Disappointed, she turned to head back to the car when a thought crossed her mind—what if the door was unlocked?

She reached out and twisted the handle.

It was.

Kayla stepped into the brightly lit, well-furnished living room, exhaling as she shut the door behind her. Relief began to settle in—but it had been temporary.

After placing some items on the center table and others in the kitchen, a strange sound caught her attention.

It was coming from the bedroom.

Her brows drew together.

Was Calvin home? The sound was muffled—but unmistakable. She quickened her steps, hoping, praying that her mind was overthinking. That maybe it was just a movie. Or some late-afternoon nonsense playing on his phone.

But it sounded so real.

No. Calvin loved her. He wasn’t like Christian. He wasn’t a cheater.

Her heart pounded painfully as she neared the door.

"Uh... yeah... feels good!" A soft moan filtered through the door.

Sweat broke out across her skin.

She should turn around. She should leave. But her feet kept moving, drawn to the truth, even if it would shatter her. She needed to see.

Slowly, she reached for the handle. The door creaked open.

And she froze.

Calvin was thrusting into a girl, her head hanging upside down off the bed as she moaned and murmured filthy things. Kayla’s heart twisted violently.

She shouldn’t be this hurt. She was living with Christian—a serial cheater. And she wasn’t innocent either.

But the girl... the girl.

The room spun around her. Her knees buckled. A metallic taste filled her mouth as she gripped the wall for support.

"M-Me—ra?" she whispered, her voice barely audible as tears slipped down her cheeks.

Calvin and Mera turned at the sound.

Shock flashed across their faces—but it faded fast.

"Kayla," Mera breathed, her voice trembling with a mixture of guilt and satisfaction—right as Calvin gave one final thrust, and they both cried out in release.

They didn’t scramble apart like Kayla had expected.

No guilt-ridden panic. No fumbling explanations.

They finished. Right there. Right in front of her.

She hadn’t meant to keep watching, but no matter how desperately her brain screamed at her to move, her body refused. Frozen.

Calvin finally pulled out and reached for his pants. Mera stayed on the bed, now clutching the duvet to cover herself. Only one of them looked remotely sorry—and it wasn’t him.

Kayla’s chest heaved as her vision blurred. Calvin’s face was calm—almost detached. He didn’t look like someone caught. He looked like someone... free.

"Kayla, I’m sorry," he finally said, as though they’d just spilled coffee on her rug. "I didn’t mean for you to find out like this. I just didn’t know how to tell you."

There was no remorse in his voice. Just weariness.

What happened to I love you? He’d said it the last time he visited.

"We didn’t know how to tell you," Mera added quietly, her voice cracking. "We fell in love."

She cast her gaze downward like it would soften the blow.

Kayla chuckled. A hollow, broken sound that tore from her throat. Her mouth was so dry, it felt like sandpaper. She almost asked for water.

"You fell in love?" she rasped, staring at Mera.

Mera nodded slowly.

Kayla looked between them, disbelief etched deep into her expression.

"You’re my fucking sister, Mera!" she screamed. Her voice shattered the silence. "Did this bastard even tell you he saw me last month? That we fucked?!"

The word was a blade thrown with all her pain.

Mera flinched, but she held her ground.

"He did," she said, quieter now. "He told me everything. You’re living with another man, Kayla. You can’t expect him to wait for you forever."

Another sob clawed its way out of Kayla’s chest. She wanted to ask how long this had been going on. How long they’d lied. How many times they’d smiled to her face while stabbing her in the back.

But she didn’t ask. She couldn’t. She feared the answer.

Her legs finally found strength.

And she ran.

She bolted out of the house, down the steps, and into her car—tears spilling nonstop.

*******

Present Moment

Kayla wiped her eyes again as she took the final turn back to Christian’s house. Every muscle in her body throbbed from hours of driving—and from her brief activity with Dr. Bradley. He’d made her forget the hole in her chest, but only for a moment. The ache had returned now, heavier.

She reached for a wipe in her handbag and dabbed her face, fingers trembling. Then she applied a bit of powder, enough to cover the redness. She had to look normal. Christian couldn’t know. She couldn’t afford to lose Calvin and lose Christian too.

But as she pulled into the compound, her heart lurched.

A police van was parked outside. Christian stood with two officers, hands gesturing as he spoke.

Her blood ran cold.

Oh God...

Were they here for the stolen evidence? Had they been exposed?

No. It couldn’t be. It had to be something else.

Still... panic swarmed her chest. Her thoughts spiraled with a thousand questions and no answers.

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