NovaCore Building
Kairo sat in his leather chair, sleeves rolled up, eyes fixed on the screen in front of him. The early light fell across his sharp jawline, glinting against the silver ring on his finger as he scrolled through reports. His expression was unreadable, calm on the surface, storm beneath.
A knock interrupted the quiet.
"Come in," Kairo said, voice low but firm.
Ben, his assistant, stepped in with a hesitant expression and a folder clutched in his hand. "Sir, I have some news to report."
"Go ahead," Kairo replied, his attention still half on the glowing screen.
"Sir… Vantare has announced the launch of a new sub-brand."
That made Kairo pause. His gaze lifted slowly. "A new sub-brand?"
"Yes, sir. It's called Belvana, under Vantare itself. The founder, Mr. Vector, made the announcement this morning in a press conference."
Kairo leaned back slightly, his fingers still resting on the mouse. "And what about it?" His tone was calm, too calm.
Ben swallowed. "Belvana is positioned to compete directly with Novacore, sir."
The silence that followed was thick. Kairo's eyes finally left the screen and locked onto Ben's. Cold. Sharp. "All of a sudden?"
"Yes, sir. Since Vantare shifted its headquarters back to Belvaria, its luxury market has struggled here. My assumption is… they're trying to tap into the middle and lower class market segments now."
Kairo's jaw tightened as he listened. The familiar ache of rage stirred deep inside his chest, old, buried, but never gone.
"Does Dad know about this?" he asked, his voice low, almost flat.
"Not sure, sir," Ben replied carefully. "But since the announcement went public this morning, I believe he must have seen it."
"Hmm." Kairo's lips curved slightly, but there was no smile, only a quiet, restrained anger. "Alright. We'll see what happens."
Ben nodded quickly and exited the room, leaving the air behind him heavy and tense.
For a long moment, Kairo didn't move. The screen before him blurred as his mind drifted back, fifteen years into the past.
Vector.
That name still carried the taste of ash in his mouth.
The man who destroyed everything, his father's company, his peace, his childhood. The man who broke his family in ways no one could repair.
And now, he was back.
After all these years, after all that ruin, Vector had returned to Belvaria, to play his games again.
Kairo's fists clenched slowly, his knuckles whitening. The air around him seemed to hum with restrained fury.
Whatever Vector wanted this time, he would not win. Not again.
Not against him. Not against his family.
Kairo's eyes darkened as he stared out the tall window, the city shining below him, unaware that a quiet war had just begun.
This time, Kairo wasn't the boy who lost everything. This time, he was the man who'd take it all back.
The drive home was quiet that evening. The soft hum of the engine filled the space between them, and the glow of the streetlights brushed across Kairo's face as he drove. His jaw was tense, his brows drawn, his silence deeper than usual.
Sara sat in the passenger seat, occasionally glancing at him. Zayn sat at the back, humming to himself while playing with his little car, oblivious to the tension that hung in the air.
Sara finally broke the silence. "What happened to you?" she asked softly.
Kairo blinked, as though waking from a thought. "Just thinking," he murmured, eyes fixed on the road.
"You seem tense… Is something bothering you?" she pressed, her voice gentle.
He looked at her for a moment, then turned his gaze toward the rear-view mirror, where Zayn's laughter filled the space, and forced a small smile."Nothing serious. Just… office stuff."
Sara didn't believe him. His eyes said something else. But she didn't push. Not now.
Later that night, after dinner, the house was quiet again. Zayn was tucked into bed, his tiny hands wrapped around his stuffed bunny.
Kairo sat on the couch, focused on his laptop. Sara quietly walked over and sat beside him, watching his face.
He glanced at her and gave a small smile. "Didn't sleep yet?" he asked.
"Not sleepy," she said softly. "What about you? What's keeping you up?"
"Just some work," he replied, eyes still on the screen.
She studied him for a moment, then gently held his arm and rested her head on his shoulder. Her eyes shifted to the laptop screen; he had several tabs open, all about Vantare. Her brows furrowed. Her father's company.
"Why are you reading about Vantare?" she asked.
Kairo sighed, finally closing the laptop and turning to her. "Vantare just launched a new brand called Belvana," he said.
"So?" she asked, confused.
"Belvana is aimed at the middle and lower-class market; it's direct competition for Novacore," he explained.
Her expression hardened. "So… Dad is trying to take over the entire Belvaria market?"
He nodded quietly.
She looked at him softly. "Is that why you've been so tense?" she asked.
Kairo pressed his lips together, quietly admitting it.
Sara gave a small smile. "Don't worry. Novacore is already deeply rooted in Belvaria. It's not just a brand anymore; it's a part of people's lives. Dad won't be able to compete with Novacore, no matter how big his Belvana brand becomes," she said reassuringly.
Kairo smiled faintly. "I know… but it's not just about competition. I'm more worried about his intentions. Why Belvaria, of all places? He returned here after fifteen years, set up Vantare's headquarters, and now suddenly launches Belvana, pouring in massive funds. It feels like he's trying to mess with us again," he said, his voice calm but heavy.
Sara watched him, sensing the unease behind his words. "He won't be able to," she said firmly. "Even if he tries, he can't break us, not again. Not this time."
He looked at her, his usual confidence faltering for a heartbeat. "If something does happen… will you stay by my side?"
Her eyes softened. "Why are you even asking that?"
He looked down, unsure how to voice the fear sitting quietly in his chest.
She cupped his cheeks. "Of course I'll stand by you," she said, eyes steady. "I'm your wife, Kairo, your other half. You're my family, my love, my husband, the father of my child, my everything. I'll be with you through pain, misery, and happiness."
Her voice was calm but fierce, the kind that comes from deep love.
"If you're afraid, I'll side with my father, then don't. He might've given birth to me, but he stopped being my family a long time ago. If he ever tries to hurt our family again, I will fight him."
Kairo's breath caught, eyes glimmering faintly.
"Don't ever think I'll leave you because of him," she whispered. "I love you, my Love, I'll be here, beside you, till my last breath."
He closed his eyes for a second, pulling her into a tight hug, his lips pressing against her hair. "I love you, Sara… more than I can ever say. And I swear, I'll protect my family with everything I have."
Her hand moved gently over his back, feeling the tension ease under her touch. "You're being too emotional right now," she teased softly.
He kissed her hair, still holding her. "I'm serious."
Sara chuckled, her tone playful. "I love my old Kairo more… the cocky, flirty one. The little shameless too."
Kairo broke into a small laughter, smacking her butt gently.
She laughed and pulled back gently, cupping his face, "I missed my fuckboy." she said, brushing her thumb along his jaw. Then, in a whisper that sent a quiet thrill through him, "Can I meet him tonight?"
That was all it took. The smirk returned to his lips, slow, dangerous, familiar. He leaned closer, eyes glinting. "You sure about that, darling?"
She bit her lip, fighting a shy smile. "Take me to your room and find out."
He didn't need to be told twice. With one swift motion, he scooped her into his arms, earning a surprised laugh from her as he started walking down the hallway.
"Don't blame me later," he warned with that teasing grin.
"I won't," she murmured, biting back a smile. "Just be gentle."
"I can't promise that," he said, and she swatted his arm lightly, laughing.
"Zayn's asleep, right?" he asked before entering the room.
"Yes, he's fine. Now stop thinking about him and focus on me."
Their laughter faded down the hall, soft and full of warmth, the sound of love rekindled.
And behind the closed door, their quiet world melted into passion and tenderness… while their little boy dreamed peacefully, perhaps, of a sibling he didn't yet know he wanted.