PROLOGUE
Ifelt free after my divorce.
No more arguments. No more accusations. No more of her.
I had no idea that freedom would be short-lived.
Funny how one conversation can change everything.
At the time, I thought my ex-wife, Clarissa, was up to no good. Her claim that I had another son was preposterous. I thought it was just another way to get money out of me.
I was wrong.
What started as an argument over a simple paternity test became something far more dangerous and painful than I could have ever imagined.
Could Clarissa be telling the truth?
And if he's not my son, then whose son is he?
CHAPTER 1
COLE
I’m Cole Bennett, and I live in New York City, my favorite city. I inherited four clubs after my father passed away. I was excited to start a new chapter of my life shortly after my divorce from Clarissa, the love of my life. This new adventure would surely pull me out of that loss.
It was a Tuesday, my favorite day of the week. My new driver was taking me to my jazz club to meet a new singer my son had scouted. My old driver had retired, so my father’s longtime friend, Moretti, recommended a new driver. He was roughly my son’s age and very charismatic, a good kid.
Life was good except for one thing: my ex-wife, Clarissa. She’d been pestering me about doing a paternity test for a supposedly long-lost son she had kept a secret from me. Clarissa, with herschemes, was always trying new ways to get money out of me as if the divorce settlement hadn't been enough.
I lit up a cigarette and opened the window. I took a drag to enjoy one of my favorite pastimes, the other one being the fairer sex.
Clarissa didn’t take too kindly to my short-lived romances with other “ladies” when we were married, but she knew what she was getting into when we sealed the deal at the courthouse. I wanted a son more than anything in the world. The opportunity presented itself with Clarissa, and we had a baby.
My mind drifted to the time I saw my baby’s blue pacifier lying there on our bed. The hospital nurse had used it to keep Michael calm in the nursery. I felt immense joy. I felt so proud to be a dad. My dream had finally come true.
“Hello, Mr. Bennett,” the driver said.
There was silence.
The driver snapped his fingers to get my attention.
That’s rude.
“What? What do you want?” I asked.
“I meant no disrespect. You seemed to be in deep thought. Your phone is ringing,” the driver said.
“Oh, right. Thanks,” I replied. “It’s my ex-wife.”
The driver nodded.
I answered the phone. Clarissa started again about the paternity test. I rolled my eyes and shook my head in frustration.
Clarissa and I had already had this conversation a couple of times earlier that day, and this time it was getting on my last nerve.
“He’s not my son. I’ve already told you that. Why don’t you want to accept that?” I replied. “I’m tired of this nonsense. This has gone far enough. Please don’t call me anymore.”
Clarissa simply ignored me and continued talking.
