Chapter 38: The Playboy’s Regret

Book:The Billionaire's Karma Published:2024-5-1

Rhezi could clearly hear Jericho cursing from her position. She followed him after the fight with Kraius which happened inside Dos’ room. The lady was a little hesitant if she should approach him or not, seeing that the man was looking pissed whilst his left hand was holding his right cheek. Nevertheless, she decided to go and check on him.
“I’m sorry,” the woman started, walking towards the man. “You you got hurt,” she finished the statement.
Jericho halted and faced Rhezi. He smiled bitterly. “I’ve been hurt for a while now,” he hinted, not even blinking.
Rhezi felt guilty because of Jericho’s words. He wasn’t really much a part of her messed up life before, but now she got him involved. She dragged him in a situation that she wasn’t even prepared to encounter. And probably never will.
“I’m sorry,” Rhezi said apologetically. She lifted her hand and touched Jericho’s face. Her expression softened as he held the back of her hand. Just like before, he still closes his eyes whenever the woman does the action.
“Thank you for being good to me,” she whispered.
“Are you leaving me?” the man asked in a soft whisper.
Rhezi chuckled lightly. “Of course not!” she replied.
Jericho looked at her seriously. She looked at him too with a genuine smile plastered on her face. She was thankful to him for everything he did. If she could only teach her heart whom to fall in love, she would willingly choose him. It doesn’t matter if he acts feminine or masculine, what was more important to her was the goodness of his heart. His true care and his willingness to be the father of her children.
However, as much as we try to force something to happen, it just can’t. There are things that will end right there, people that are met by fate but are not destined to be together, and feelings that are hard to change let alone forget even after a long time.
“Thank you,” Rhezi whispered. She embraced Jericho after, smiling as she felt him respond to her hug.
“Go back inside. The kids are waiting for you,” he murmured.
Rhezi nodded and ended the hug. Her hands were clutched onto the man’s back as she stared at his face. She was smiling but it faded instantly when she saw his sad expression, the glint of sorrow in his eyes didn’t go unnoticed by her.
“Are you okay now?” she asked, trying to divert his attention.
Jericho moved his head up and down so Rhezi didn’t bother to ask again. She left the man and entered the hospital, pacing fast that she didn’t even realize that she arrived at her son’s room. The woman also ignored Kraius’ piercing glare that has been following her from outside the hospital.
“You really cared about him, huh!” Kraius mocked as he followed her.
Rhezi got startled and halted her hand from opening the door. She turned herself to her back and was found captive by Kraius’ intense gaze that pierced through her soul whilst both the man’s arms were on the door, trapping her in between.
“T-There is no need for me to explain, Kraius. You punched him, what do you expect?” Rhezi reasoned.
“That bastard deserved it. That was nothing compared to the both of you hiding my children from me,” he sternly grumbled.
“Jericho is still my husband. He is still the father of my kids,” Rhezi answered.
“Bullshit!” Kraius exclaimed. His jaw clenched tightly at the woman’s words and his hand turned into knuckles because of the mixed emotions overflowing that he couldn’t even describe it.
“We are not talking about the blood here, Kraius. We are talking about being a man enough and ready for his responsibility.”
“Are you implying that I am irresponsible? Do you think I am not ready? You’re impossible, Chubz!” Kraius greeted his teeth.
Kraius was quick to stop the woman’s head from looking down. He used his right hand to lift her chin and made her look at him. He looked at Rhezi intently, like he was calculating the words he’s about to say. Then, his expression suddenly turned into a mocking smile. The kind of smile that brought fear and anxiety on the woman.
“The kids are mine, Rhezi. And it’s now my turn.” Kraius said with conviction. He then leaned towards her and licked her lips while his hand caressed her exposed arm and onto her beautiful neck. “You will beg, Chubz. You will beg for me to stop but you will also ask for more.”
The last words Kraius said sent shivers to Rhezi’s spine. He left her dumbfounded while her heart was throbbing as it was beating faster. She even lifted her hand and touched her chest, as if having difficulties of breathing from the man’s subtle threat. Rhezi thought, she already accepted and convinced herself for the things that might happen to her, sooner or later. She thought, she was already prepared for the punishment he was talking about. But, it seemed that she was just kidding herself.
Rhezi sighed heavily. She leaned her head to the already opened door and closed her eyes. She was trying to compose herself from the miserable feeling she had inside of her, trying to act normal even if her heart was battling because she needed to keep herself sane for her and her kids.
After finally composing herself, she also entered the room. What greeted her was the three boys sitting on the bed. They were smiling while obviously eyeing Kraius who was in front of them. He was blabbering about how the prince captured the princess and how it escaped from the paradise that was built for her, while his hands was holding the bowl of soup to feed the kids.
“The princess might not love the prince truly. Momma said, if I love my brothers I should fight for them and protect them,” Roscoe commented.
“Is that so?” Kraius asked Roscoe. He smiled faintly then his eyes shifted to Rhezi who was walking slowly towards the kids.
“Yes!” Roscoe answered.
Kraius shook his head and took a spoon from the bowl. He offered it to Dos but the latter only shook his head as a sign that he didn’t want to. The smiling little face was gone and it became serious, while his doe eyes eyed the man intently.
Kraius sighed and put the spoon back. With his son’s act, his emotions swirled again. The similarities was so obvious in his doe eyes, something that only he and the kids have. However, his heart still ached at how Dos acted.
“Are you still mad at me?” he asked.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Handsome, but you should have not punched our Dada,” the boy muttered.
“I’m sorry. Can you forgive me? I won’t do it again. . . I promise,” Kraius answered.
His mood suddenly changed. It saddened him that even his own child didn’t recognize him as their father. That for them he was just only a stranger. Nothing more. Nothing less.
How ironic it was. He thought Andrius was more fucked up but it turns out that he was more fucked up between the two of them. He was deprived of his responsiblity and chance to be better. To live better and to be happy.
The realization awakened his anger even more. He admitted that he was a player. But in this game, he was the one that’s being played. And he would make sure that it won’t be for long.