"Jason! How could you?!"

I came home from school earlier than planned.. and found my fiance fucking my sister.

"Let me explain! It was a mistake. Please, baby.. Look at me. I'm sorry."

"A mistake? A mistake is taking someone's phone on accident. A mistake is putting salt instead of sugar in your coffee. Shoving your dick in my sister's overused twat takes conscious effort.. a deliberate act."

I took off my engagement ring.. laying it on the table, just as Bonita watched us.

I glared at her. "Mom and Dad know? How long, How long have you been fucking my fiance?"

"A little over a year. And they knew it."

"You all ruined my life! So, I will take revenge!"

————————

Three years prior~

I just received my final grade in my jounalism class! I was going to be an author! My parents would publish me.. I would marry Jason after graduation next year.. start a family.. and live happily ever after...

I rushed home.. running through the door, yelling for Jason. I heard him say "Oh !" just as I pushed our bedroom door open.

Two pairs of wide eyes stared at me.. I snapped a picture without thinking.. and then realized one pair of eyes.. so similar to my own.. I gasped "Bonita! How could you?!"

I slammed out of the room.. Jason following.. "Let me explain! It was a mistake. Please, baby.. Look at me. I'm sorry." I scoffed "A mistake? A mistake is taking someone's phone on accident. A mistake is putting salt instead of sugar in your coffee. Shoving your shaft in my sister's overused twat takes conscious effort.. a deliberate act."

I took off my engagement ring.. laying it on the table, just as Bonita joined us. "Get over yourself, Mari! A man has needs! You hoard your private part like it holds the gold in Fort Knox. Saving yourself for marriage! It's 2024.. not the dark ages! Mom and Dad thought it would be best for me to satisfy his needs than have him out whoring around."

I glared at her "Mom and Dad know? How long, Jason? How long have you been my sister?" He mumbles "A little over a year."

I stood up.. grabbing my purse and keys "Oh To The NO! I am going to talk to my parents! I want you out of my house when I get back!"

Walking into my parents house, I walked straight over to the table, where they sat.. "You procured a bimbo to satisfy the 'needs' of MY fiancé? You thought it would be a good idea to pimp your own daughter.. my sister.. out, to the man I loved?"

Dad said "Oh calm down, Marisol. It happens every day. And yes, I believed it would be best if it was your sister! Not some bimbo.. or a bimbo! Lord knows what they carry! Jason is a 22 year old man.. in his prime! He has needs and you weren't looking after him. It is better than him cheating on you!"

I screamed "He IS cheating! What is wrong with you people!?" Mom stood and slapped me. I gasped and said "Are you serious? I am penalized for being a maiden.. and Bonita is praised for being a bimbo? Have I stepped into a parallel universe?"

Jason and Bonita rushed in the door.. she's all excited and says "Momma, Daddy! Look!" Holding up her hand.. she's wearing my engagement ring. I glared at Jason. He, at least, had the decency to hang his head.

Bonita said "I told Jace about the baby, and he said we would get married!" I whispered "Baby? There's a baby?" She squealed and said "Yes! Isn't it wonderful? Please, Mari.. Now that you and Jace aren't together.. won't you be happy for me?"

I snarled "Happy? Happy.. for.. You! No, Bonita! I am not happy.. I am hurt. Angry.. I will never be happy about this!" Mom said "Well,, you will have to be! This family will do what we always do! Rally together and get your sister married! You will stand up with her.. and you will show all our family and friends you are okay with it!"

I laughed "Those are some good dopes you're on! No way in will I ever act okay with it! She ruined my life.. No! You all ruined my life! So, no! I won't rally... I couldn't care less what our family and friends think."

Dad said "You will do as you are told.. or you will leave this family! I will disown you!" I grinned.. "Go for it! Disown me.. the only place for me to go from here, is up! God knows you have all thrown me to rock bottom!"

I turned and walked out.. I called my best friends Susannah and Allen. I tried telling them what happened, but the tears finally came. I pulled over.. and they both just stayed on the phone while I bawled my eyes out.

When I had calmed enough, I told them everything. And somehow, they talked me into going out for drinks.. which I did.. then, I made a mistake. I went home with a gorgeous man.. who kept buying my drinks.

I lost my maidenfirst time.. and my dignity.. all in one night.. The pain of what I had done, hit me hard.. in the early morning hours.. As I made my way to my house.. I realized I didn't even know the man's name. I formed a plan.. I would make that family regret what they had done! I made up my mind. I was disowned.. and I am assuming, disinherited.. I have no allegiance to anyone, except my grandfather!

At home, I showered.. then packed up my personal belongings.. loaded them into my car.. And drove to my grandfather's house in Brentwood.

I spent several hours telling him what had happened.. and what my plans were. I showed him the pictures I took. He patted my hand.. and stood. He walked out of the room.

Within minutes, he was back. He laid several documents out on the table.. he told me to sign.. here.. here.. and there. He smiled "You weren't supposed to get this before your twenty fifth birthday. I see a need for it now. This is your trust fund.. started by your grandmother the day you were born. Bonita has one, as well. I haven't decided if she will get hers before I die or not. The jet will be ready when you are. You will fly to New York.. from there, I will arrange a private flight to London.. I have several friends who will handle it. Here.. a new phone. Leave me your old one.. I have plans for those pictures. I have never been so ashamed of my son, in his entire life. There is over thirty million in your trust. This.. is a black American Express.. unlimited balance. It's in one of my dummy corporations names. Untraceable. You will call me... every day.. without fail. You can disappear from everyone, but me, granddaughter. You are my namesake.. you are my world.. and when I tell you it is time to come home.. You will come home!

He pulled me into his lap.. and held me, as I cried. He said "Who are we?" I whispered we are Andrews. He nodded and said "You are named for my sweet Marilyn.. and for me.. Salty Dog Solomon! So Marisol Andrews! You stand tall! You stand proud! And you make them rue the day they crossed us! We don't get mad, babygirl... we get even!"

Three and a half months short of three years.. that's how long it's been. I moved to London.. finished my degrees at Oxford, in just under six months. I purchased a nearly defunct ebook publishing house.. and worked tirelessly for six months.. turning it around and putting my name on the map of the publishing world.

I developed a system where I was able to offer my authors more money than anyone else.. I arranged promo tours for them.. granted more exposure for their titles.. In doing that, I had authors clamoring to become my clients.. leaving their old publishers for greener pastures.

Did I care that I was taking clients from other publishing houses? no! Was I happy when an author came to me from Andrews Publishing? You bet your sweet hip I was!

I stopped referring to my one night stand as a mistake. Therapy forces you to take long, hard looks at yourself.. And in doing that, I have accepted my responsibility in it.. I like myself, again. And how could it have been a mistake, when it had given me the greatest gift in the world!?

My little boy just turned two, yesterday. Isaiah Solomon Andrews blessed my life just after midnight.. exactly nine months after I left Columbus. I think of his father often. I want him to know about his son.. but I don't know who he is.

Susannah and Allen have tried finding him.. but they haven't seen him again.. Not at the bar where we had met.. and nowhere in the area.

Ike and I disembarked the plane.. and Grandpa's driver met us in baggage claim. You guessed it. I have been summoned home. Grandpa told me it is time for phase three of his plan.

Phase one was releasing the photos to the media.. with his statement.. enumerating the egregious way my engagement had been broken..claiming until his son made things right, he would pretend he didn't exist.

Phase two was attending the wedding of Bonita and Jason.. Standing when asked if anyone objected.. Calling Bonita a cheater.. a homewrecker..a few other choice names.. Then said to Jason "Don't come crying to me, boy! Once a cheater.. always a cheater. And you both are! You both will cheat on each other!" And then he walked out!

My Grandpa is old school.. kic kass and take names! He made his fortune as a sea captain on a salvage ship.. recovering sunken treasure. He hit big when he salvaged a gold laden ship downed by a hurricane off the coast of Bermuda.

Grandma was the love of his life. She was as rough and tumble as he was. Salt of the earth.. the pair of them.. and my guiding lights! Always! Grandpa took me out of piano lessons and put me in soccer. He placed me in every martial arts class that trained hard and heavy. While my mother had me in ballet.. he had me learning to defend myself.

My mother was once a societal Deb.. she married my father because Grandpa paid her father's debts.. She is a firm believer in always saving face. No scandal must touch the family name. Good thing I have been disowned.. An unwed single mother.. with no clue who her baby daddy is? Oh My God!

Grandpa was waiting on the steps of the mansion when we arrived.. He was around the car and lifting Isaiah out and tossing him in the air, before I could say boo!

I said "Grandpa.. be careful! I don't want you to hurt your back!" He laughed and said "Don't be throwing dirt on me just yet, young one! I'm only 65."

We walked inside and the nanny took Ike to get him ready for lunch, while I freshened up. Grandpa wanted to talk about his plan.. and he wants me ready for.. his words.. the to hit the fan!

After lunch, I was sitting in the back garden, watching Isaiah play in his new sandbox. Grandpa handed me a Crown Royal rocks.. and sat down.

He smiled at me "I have taken the liberty of purchasing the penthouse offices in Colum Towers.. It's a beautiful new building.. developed by Winters Contractors.. I got a good deal.. since Malakai Winters is a good friend.. I saved his life once.. he kind of owes me a life debt. I have hired your friends Susannah and Allen as office managers. The rest of your staff will be your responsibility. Your business name is being painted, as we speak."

I said "This is phase three? Opening an office here in Columbus?" He laughed "No, child! This is to keep the light of my life closer to me. Phase three begins tomorrow night. I am holding a gala in the banquet hall of Colum Towers.. to announce the branch opening of Mandrew Publishing. Your family will be in attendance."

I stopped him right there.. "No.. your family will be in attendance. I will be attending with MY only family. I have grown and matured a lot, Grandpa. Looking back, I was never treated like I mattered, at all. A second class citizen. that! I know my worth, now. They will lick my boots before I ever call them family again."

He nodded.. then grinned.. a slow, sly grin that let me know, now he's getting to the good stuff. "As I was saying, the Andrews family will be in attendance. All the elite.. upper crust will be there. Malakai Winters will also be there.. "

I laughed "Are you trying to give Anna Andrews an aneurysm? The head of the mafia in attendance? Oh I can't wait to see her face! This is going to be pure gold! No one knows what he looks like.. He never allows his photo taken. How did you get him to attend?"

Grandpa shrugged "He's a good guy.. and the majority of his businesses are legit. He's just a man who takes care of business.. when it needs taken care of. It's no different than things your own father has done.. Malakai is just a man about it. Not afraid to get his hands dirty."

I said "Robert has dealt in illegal activities?" He nodded "Many times. He hires it done, though. Which brings me to the why Malakai will be there. He will publicly announce you are under his protection. Like I said.. he feels he owes me.. so this is my request of him. I fear what Robert will try to do, once he realizes his losses the past two years are because of you. And I know it isn't because of you.. but he won't see it that way. He will only see you pilfering his clientele."

I whistled low " ! You apparently want to poke the bear right into a hornet's nest! I will warn you, though! I will not be held accountable for what I say.. or do.. if that family tries to accost me, in any way!"

He grinned again and said "I'm counting on it. A little tidbit for you to mull over.. Bonita never had a child. Bonita was never pregnant. It was all a ruse by Anna and Bonita to get Jason to marry her. Bonita always wanted what was yours. Her whole life. Now she has him.. but the grist of the rumor mill says he doesn't her.. He s around on her.. but never her. He refuses to let her have a child now."

I busted out laughing "It was a bald faced lie! A ruse, my hip! Oh God! That's priceless! Karma is alive and well.. and apparently living with the Andrews!" He laughed and hugged me.. telling me he is happy I'm home.. As he left me to play in the sandbox with a two year old!

I had left my black, shoulder length hair down in silky waves.. did my eyes in a smoky design. Diamond studs in my ears.. and a diamond choker necklace with a ten carat sapphire teardrop pendant.

My gown is royal blue.. spaghetti strapped backless number that hugged my curves.. with a slit nearly to my hip on the right side. Matching strappy stilettos and I admired myself in the mirror.

I was by no means heavy.. I definitely wasn't considered svelte. I was curvy.. soft, yet firm.. in all the right places. I stand 5'9 in my heels.. I am proud of my post baby body. I wanted to look my best tonight.. and I feel I have accomplished that!

I went downstairs to snuggle my cuddlebug while I waited on Grandpa.. Only to find both he and Ike watching Paw Patrol on the couch. These two fellas are the only men I will ever need! I kis sed my son good night and we headed out.

Grandpa said "You look absolutely radiant, my girl! You look so much like your grandmother, Marisol.. Everything.. your hair color.. your blue eyes.. sometimes, you scrunch up your nose when you're thinking.. and it's like looking at Grandma! Enh! It's probably why I keep you around!"

I laughed and said "You keep me around because you love me! My big, gruff, grumpy Grandpa has a soft spot!" He laughed and kis sed the back of my hand "I guess. Whatever you gotta tell yourself to get you through the night, puddin pop!"

We arrived to huge search beams reaching into space and dancing to a rhythm all their own. A red carpet leading inside.. and holy media! Grandpa stood up from the limo.. taking my hand to help me out. He tucked my hand into the crook of his elbow and held it there.

We walked through the sea of reporters without him saying a word. They shouted questions and snapped photos.. he remained stoic.. and silent.

As we entered, a young man escorted us to double doors.. I hear a booming voice say "Presenting Mr. Solomon Andrews and his granddaughter, Marisol Andrews." The doors opened and we entered..

All eyes turned our way, gauging our every move. Walking to the center of the room, Grandpa said "I have to speak to someone.. mingle." The ? Mingle!? With whom shall I mingle!? I don't know anybody! I made my way to the bar and ordered a Crown Royal rocks.. and turned, just in time to be tackled by Susannah and Allen. I started laughing.. and she was fighting tears.

I whispered "Don't cry, Suz! I'm good! I am really good! And I am happy! You look so pretty.. and you have such an ugly cry face.. so don't do it!" She laughed and said "Oh My God! We have missed you sooo much!" I nodded and said "Me too!"

Halfway through the night, Grandpa got on stage.. signaling me to join him.. He took the microphone and said "Thank you all for coming! As you know, the purpose of this gala is to announce my newest venture. I have become silent partners in my granddaughter's very successful business. Two years ago, she founded her own publishing company in London. She has agreed to open offices here.. in this very building.. and will make it her home base! She is the proud owner.. and founder of Mandrew Publishing! A very supportive, up and coming digital publishing house.. with worldwide clientele! I am very proud to be getting in on the ground floor!"

The entire room was quiet. For a whole minute. Then I heard "How dare you! How dare you set yourself up in my town and try to compete with me! You are my daughter and you will stop this nonsense right now!"

I grinned.. the entire time he was spewing that bull .. and waited. When he stopped talking, I said "The beauty of free enterprise is.. one can open any business.. as long as it's legal.. in any village, town, hamlet, or city, of their choice. I chose Columbus because my grandfather lives here. As he is my only family, I find myself wanting to be closer to him. I don't compete with anyone.. I am the number one digital publisher around the globe.. all the rest compete with ME! I am not your daughter. You disowned me, nearly three years ago.. because I refused to support your actual daughter.. while she married the man I was engaged to.. by your design.. and on your command!"

As I was helped off the stage, Bonita pushed her way through the crowd, toward me. I stood calmly still and waited. She reached me.. looking like a harridan.. and practically screeched "You stand up there.. looking down your nose at us.. Like you are so much better than we are! You probably fcked your way into owning this business! Think you are better! Wait until Daddy is through with you." Anna had stepped up behind her. Robert and Jason behind her.

My only thought, in that moment, was how old and tired Jason looked. 25 and he had the posture of a fifty year old man. Hnh! Shame! Apparently, married life doesn't suit his weak constitution.

When Bonita had finished screeching, I asked quietly "Are you done? Good! Now listen carefully. I am not better than anyone. I have never looked down on a single soul. What I have.. I worked hard for. I was disowned.. I carved a life for myself. Never approach me again.. Whatever we once were to each other.. no longer exists. I have never taken anything away from you.. I have let you do whatever it is you and your mother do. I never went out of my way to deliberately hurt any one of you.. to take something precious from you.. to steal your happiness. That.. all of that.. is your claim to fame! Get to steppin' Mrs. Tyler.. we have nothing further to discuss."

Anna raised her hand to slap me.. and I caught it midair. I sneered "Ever raise your hand to me or mine again, I will snap it off at the elbow. Are we clear? ......... I Said ARE WE CLEAR?" She nodded and backed into the crowd.

Grandpa took my elbow.. leading me back to the bar. His grin never faltered.. he tells me "I have never been prouder of you, than I was in that moment! I can not wait to see the morning's news and trending topics!"

I started laughing and said "Look at you! All tech savvy and ! Trending? Please tell me you don't have TikTok and Snapchat?!" He laughed "As a matter of fact, I download TikTok this morning! Isaiah is solid comedic gold! We have three tiktoks right now.. we plan on at least one a day! Going to do a day in the life series with my great grandson.. are you kidding me!?" I laughed.. shaking my head.

Jason walked up to me.. asking if I had a moment. Grandpa took a step back and I said "Look, Jason. If you are here to apologize, don't. I have forgiven you. I obviously wasn't enough for you.. so you looked elsewhere. It no longer matters, in the overall scheme of things. If you have come to berate me, don't! It will not end well."

He shook his head, with tears in his eyes.. he said "She lied, Mari. There never was a baby. Now I refuse to have sx with her.. she will never be a mother. The downside is I will never be a father." I shrugged "Divorce her. Move on! Find whatever it is you need to be happy again. Because this.. this.. what ever is.. is killing you! You have aged ten years already! Walk away from that toxic family, like I did."

He whispered "I can't! It's my penance for the pain I caused you." I scoffed "Oh please! You are a fool! And I ed sure do not appreciate you playing the martyr for me! I am happy, Jason. I am over it! I moved passed it.. a long time ago. I suggest you do, too. Before it kills you!"

I walked over to Grandpa and slid his arm over my shoulder.. he looked down to say something when we heard a booming voice say "Mr. Malakai Winters" and the crowd gasped.. While Grandpa laughed and took my hand.. leading me over to meet Malakai Winters.

Standing in front of the man, I lifted my eyes.. up and up.. until I met his eyes. Good God! What is he? Eight feet tall? !

Once I looked into his eyes, I knew. Gawd it! I look into those same beautiful green eyes every single morning!

I said "Do you know where Grandpa lives?" At his nod, I responded "Can you come by tomorrow?" He said "I most certainly will! You disappeared without a trace.. I looked for you everywhere!"

I nodded and said "Yeah.. about that.. We need to talk!"