He ended the call without another word.
As he walked toward the elevator, one thing was certain, Jennifer hadn't changed, he could simply tell by looking at her face, no matter how much smile she puts on.
And whatever she was here for…
He wasn't going to let her mess up his life again. Not now that he is married.
The atmosphere shifted the moment the door opened.
Kyle stepped into the lounge, exuding quiet dominance in his navy-blue suit, his presence alone enough to turn heads, or in this case, silence a room. His eyes were cold, unreadable, fixed solely on the woman lounging like she owned the place.
Jennifer's smile widened as she saw him. "There he is… the elusive Kyle Wade."
Kyle didn't smile. He closed the door behind him with a calmness that masked the storm brewing in his chest. "I'm not surprised you haven't changed at all, it's been twenty six years and you still lied to get in here."
Jennifer tilted her head, unapologetic. "It was the only way to see you. You've been avoiding me."
"For good reason," Kyle said flatly. "What do you want, Jennifer?"
Mike, still standing by the corner, looked away uncomfortably. He hated being in the room when these two went head-to-head.
Jennifer stood up slowly, smoothing down her dress as she walked over to Kyle. "Don't be so cold. We go way back, remember?" she tried to hug him but Kyle simply stopped her, his black wedding ring flashed on Jennifer's face.
Kyle didn't move. "You made your choices. And now, so have I."
Jennifer's expression flickered briefly. "You're married." she said with a chuckle "I believe she's fragile."
Kyle's eyes darkened, he knew what she was getting at but there's no way he was going to give her the chance to mess with his mind with the past. "Her name is Medley, or perhaps Mrs Wade" Kyle said sharply, his voice like steel. "She's my wife. Officially. Legally. Not some act like yours."
Jennifer's jaw tightened for a brief second, but she recovered quickly with a soft chuckle. "You always did love playing the knight in shining armor."
Kyle stepped closer, his gaze hard. "Say what you came for, Jennifer. And then leave. Because if you pull a stunt like this again, even your last name won't protect you."
Jennifer folded her arms, her smile now tinged with ice. "Fine. But don't think I'm going anywhere, Kyle. You owe me answers. And I always collect."
Kyle didn't flinch. "Then come through the front door next time… and with your real identity."
He turned to Mike. "Escort her out."
Jennifer raised a brow, but said nothing as Mike approached. She walked ahead, heels clicking softly on the marble floor. But just before she crossed the threshold, she turned back with a sly smile.
"I'm happy for you, Kyle. Really. Just remember, the past might repeat itself, if I don't get what I want"
And with that, she disappeared down the corridor, leaving behind tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
Kyle exhaled slowly, his hand buried in his pocket, he wasn't perturbed by her words, he simply made his way back to the top floor to round off his meeting.
****
The sharp click of her heels echoed across the marble floor as Jennifer stormed into her suite, slamming the door behind her.
Her fists clenched at her sides.
"Married?" she muttered angrily "Kyle is married?"
She tossed her designer bag onto the velvet sofa and yanked off her heels. Her jaw tightened as she paced the room like a lioness ready to pounce.
This wasn't what she expected.
She had imagined him cold, distant, maybe furious at her sudden return, but not married. Not settled. Not moved on.
Especially not with someone else. Someone… human.
She scoffed and ran a hand through her flawless blonde waves, seething.
"Medley," she muttered under her breath, the name bitter on her tongue. "Who are you?"
Jennifer had been by Kyle's side once and she always thought they would end up together. The thought of another woman in her place, especially one so fragile, so... ordinary, lit a dangerous fire in her.
This girl would not last. She would make sure of it.
As the clock ticked toward dinner, Jennifer stood before the mirror, applying her signature red lipstick. Her gaze was icy, her voice calm but venomous as she whispered to her reflection:
"No matter who you are, Medley… you're not staying."
****
The low hum of jazz filled the dimly lit bar, a haze of smoke curling into the amber light. Kyle sat at the far end, his sleeves rolled up, a half-empty glass of whiskey cradled in his hand. His jaw was tense, his eyes lost somewhere far away.
So much for peace.
A figure slid into the seat beside him. The scent of leather and cologne filled the air.
Victor.
"I told you she was looking for you," he said, ordering his own whiskey.
Kyle didn't look at him. He took a slow sip and replied, "I see you've recovered."
Victor gave a dry chuckle. "I always recover. No matter how deep I get hurt by your hands."
There was a long pause before Kyle broke it. "Why did you let her come?"
Victor exhaled. "You know Jennifer. She's fire, chaos, and when it comes to you, she's unstoppable. I've kept her at bay for twenty-six years. She wasn't going to stay away forever."
Kyle's eyes darkened at the memory.
"I can't let the past repeat itself," he muttered.
Victor studied him for a long beat. "Do you love this girl? Or did you marry her because you think she's the one? I see the resemblance you know"
Kyle set his glass down with a faint clink. "I never take chances on assumptions… but with her, I did. I don't know why. I just knew I couldn't watch her suffer. I needed to protect her at all costs, I don't care if she was the one or not I just have to"
His voice was quiet, but it held the weight of a buried storm.
Victor sighed dryly "Why do this? you barely know her that well?" he asked looking at him
"I want to prove to myself," Kyle continued, "that I can protect someone. That what happened twenty-six years ago doesn't have to happen again."
Victor sighed. "You know the law of our kind, Kyle. You're allowed only one bride. I hope this time… you made the right choice."
Kyle didn't say a word he just swirled the glass of wine in his hand as he stared at it