Page 137 of Remi's War (Four Dark Horsemen 2)

The hurt becomes so strong in my chest I sway a little, and Florian catches me in time before I stumble against the wall. “I’m sorry about that,” I say, grateful that my voice stays even while tears form in my eyes, but I blink them away. “The little captive will stay put. I’ll go find the girls.”

“Penelope—”

I shake my head at whatever bullshit excuse Santiago wants to come up with to defend the monster who just sank his claws into me, and I face the wall, wiping away the single tear that slides down my cheek.

The man orders instead, “Octavius, follow him.”

By how the floor vibrates underneath us from the heavy footsteps, I know he listened to the request, and then Florian speaks up. “I’ll be here and will watch the women.” A beat passes. “Are you going after him?”

“I can’t. Your grandfather would whoop my ass. I’ll stay for a bit and then go.”

A gentle hand touches my shoulder. “He didn’t mean it.” Florian’s words do little to heal the wounds his friend inflicted on me. “Sometimes, emotions cloud our best judgment. Think, Penelope. Think and you will understand.” Giving me this cryptic advice, he leaves along with Santiago while I’m once again standing confused, hurt, and…

And just hurt. Period.

How is a woman supposed to act when her own husband scorned her like that in front of everyone and his best friends?

Even in front of Sofia, who….

I still, putting my hand on the wall in front of me while scattered puzzles float in my head, forming a whole picture that’s terrifying for me to comprehend, and yet it explains so much.

A conversation we had earlier this evening flashes in my head.

“Why do you want these shares so much? You’re a billionaire!”

“Some things cannot be bought with money, chérie.”

“Like what?”

“Like birthright.”

Remi pointed out multiple times that Amalia was just a means to an end to destroy an enemy who stole something from him.

Carrington.

That was his name.

And then Sofia’s words echo in my ears, and I cover them up, hating the realization hitting me from every corner, because it turns the world around me on its axis.

One of the reasons I named my son after him.

Oh my God.

No, it’s impossible, and yet with every fiber of my being, I know it’s the truth that rocks the foundation of this entire marriage and the earlier encounter.

Sofia is Remi’s mother.

He is a Carrington by birth.

And he intends to destroy his grandfathers’ empire for daring to reject him.

A rejected prince who came back for revenge and won’t rest until he sees it through.

Even if it means losing his soul in the process.

Chapter Fifteen

“Mother.

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