Chapter 5: Rooftop Showdown

On the top floor, music pounded and neon lights cut through the dark. The rooftop pool shimmered blue against the city skyline, screaming luxury and power.

Red Solo cups littered the deck, and someone’s Bluetooth speaker blasted Top 40 hits over the city noise. The air was thick with perfume, weed, and ambition.

The general manager sat with his legs crossed, one hand on Natalie’s thigh, the other holding a cigarette. She was the center of attention, as always.

Natalie turned, her smile dazzling under the camera flashes. She looked more like a magazine ad than a real person.

I was shoved in front of them by the muscle, my shirt torn, face streaked with sweat.

The general manager took a slow drag on his cigarette and smirked:

“I, Jason Harris, never hold grudges overnight. Bad for sleep.” His teeth flashed in the neon.

Natalie set down her wine glass, her gaze unreadable as it landed on me. I searched for the woman I married, but all I saw was ambition.

She wore a designer velvet evening dress, off-shoulder, stunning as ever. Even now, she looked like she belonged in a different world.

“In a good mood, ex-wife. Even put on that beautiful makeup.”

No one expected me to ignore Jason Harris’s words completely.

She blinked, quickly avoiding my gaze.

But Jason Harris only got angrier, standing up and pointing at the pile of shot glasses on the table:

“Caleb, it’s simple. Drink all this in one go, and we’re even.”

“Or, get on your knees and clean my shoes with your tongue. How about it?”

I picked up a glass of champagne and downed it. “You like other people’s wives so much, want me to give you a kid too?” The words were bitter, but I needed to say them.

Jason’s face darkened. He glared at Natalie and dropped all pretense:

“Caleb, you coward, still think you can act tough with me?”

“That’s right, I want your wife, and she’s willing. That thrill—nothing like it.”

Natalie’s ears turned red. She pursed her lips, adding, “I have nothing to do with Caleb anymore.”

Seeing the tension, Jason’s men behind me tightened their grip, ready to jump in.

Jason exhaled, giving me a mocking look. The next second, he lifted Natalie’s chin and bent to kiss her.