THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW

~2~

Luke's sheer arrogance made Zach want to puke at his face while he gnashed his teeth. Although he was deeply worried about his sister, he refused to give them the satisfaction by going on his knees. He wouldn't ruin his dignity in such a way.

Luke’s smug grin widened as Zach stood motionless, gripping the edge of the steel table. “What’s the matter, pauper? Cat got your tongue?” Luke sneered, his voice dripping with mockery.

But Zach didn’t kneel. Instead, he straightened his spine, his gaze sharp and unwavering as it locked onto Luke. His lips pressed into a thin line, trembling slightly with the effort of containing his fury.

“I’m not kneeling,” Zach said, his voice low but steady.

Luke’s smile faltered for a moment before twisting into a smirk. “Oh? Do you think defiance makes you a hero? Let me remind you—your sister’s life is hanging by a thread, and all it takes is one phone call from me to cut it.”

Zach’s fists clenched, the veins in his arms taut as a surge of anger coursed through him. But he refused to give Luke the satisfaction of a reaction.

“Zach,” Maya interjected, stepping forward. Her tone was devoid of warmth, as though she were addressing a pesky subordinate. “Let’s stop this nonsense. You and I both know we don’t belong in the same world.”

Zach turned to her, his gaze hardening.

She continued, unfazed by his silent reproach. “I’ll make it easy for you. Take this as a business transaction.” She pulled out a sleek envelope from her purse and held it out to him. “There’s enough money in here to keep you afloat for a while. With your mother gone, you don’t need to scrape by anymore, trying to support her.”

Zach’s breath hitched, the weight of her words striking like a physical blow.

Maya’s expression remained cold, her lips curling into an impatient frown. “Frankly, you should feel relieved. This is your chance to start over. Be smart, Zach. Take the money and walk away.”

Every words Maya uttered felt like a knife twisted inside of him. It heightened gos disappointment at her. He never thought she was such a person but his mother's death has revealed her for what she truly was - selfish, greedy and callous.

For a moment, silence hung heavy in the room. Then, Zach let out a dry laugh, low and humorless.

“You really think I want your money?” he asked, his voice quiet but sharp as a blade.

Maya raised an eyebrow, her confidence unwavering. “I’m offering you a lifeline, Zach. Don’t be stupid.”

Zach stepped forward, his eyes burning with a mix of anger and sorrow. “No, Maya. What you’re offering is a price for my dignity—a bribe to make me disappear so you can move on guilt-free. But here’s the thing…”

His voice grew firmer. “I don’t want your money. I don’t need your pity. And I certainly don’t want you in my life anymore.”

Maya blinked, momentarily thrown off by his resolute tone. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying,” Zach said coldly, “I agree to the divorce—not because you want it, but because I do. You’re unworthy of me. And for the first time, I see you for what you really are—a selfish, heartless woman who doesn’t deserve the love I gave you.”

Maya’s face hardened, but her lips twitched with annoyance rather than regret. “You’ll regret this,” she snapped, dropping the envelope at his feet.

“Maybe,” Zach replied, his voice steady. “But not as much as you will.”

Maya stared after Zach, stunned by his defiance. This wasn’t the man she thought she controlled—the obedient, loyal shadow of her success. Her shock quickly turned to fury, her lips twisting into a scowl.

“Is this some kind of act, Zach?” she snapped. “Who do you think you are? You’re still just a nobody!”

Luke chuckled, his tone dripping with disdain as he stepped closer. “Don’t let his little outburst fool you, Maya. He’s all bark and no bite. A man like him will always crawl back when he realizes he’s nothing without you.”

Zach turned, his cold gaze sweeping over them both. “Enjoy the illusion while it lasts,” he said quietly.

Luke scoffed, wrapping an arm possessively around Maya’s waist. “Illusion? Hardly. We’re heading to a banquet this afternoon hosted by First Star Bank—the city’s largest financial institution. Once we secure their investment, Maya’s company will expand beyond your wildest dreams.”

Maya smirked. “And you, Zach, can keep playing the role of the noble ex-husband while we rise to the top.”

Zach clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as they walked away. Their arrogance stoked a fire inside him, their cruelty pushing him to his limit. Alone in the room, he whispered to himself, “I’ll make you regret every second of this humiliation. I swear it.”

Suddenly, the door creaked open. Zach turned, expecting another insult, but instead, a strikingly beautiful woman entered, flanked by a trail of figures in dark suits and shades. Her presence was magnetic, her sharp features framed by cascading ebony hair. The men at her sides moved with precision, positioning themselves evenly along the walls, their movements crisp and disciplined.

The woman strode confidently toward Zach, her heels clicking against the marble floor. Her deep emerald eyes shimmered with excitement as she stopped before him. Without hesitation, she bowed deeply.

“Master,” she said reverently, her voice trembling with emotion. “I’ve been searching for you for five years. Finally, I’ve found you.”

Zach’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Master? I think you have the wrong person.”

She straightened, her smile faltering at his words. “Surely you remember me? I am Laura, your loyal subject. I swore to serve you until the end of my days.”

Zach’s gaze hardened. “What is this?” Zach looked away and thought. “Did Luke send them to mess with me? I won’t fall for his games.”

Laura’s joy faded as she noticed the coldness in his eyes. “No,” she whispered, her voice tinged with disbelief. “You… you don’t remember?”

Zach crossed his arms, suspicion etched into his features. “Remember what?”

Laura took a step back, composing herself. “You are the leader of Dominion’s Shadow—the most powerful and secretive organization in the country. Five years ago, you vanished after an ambush during a mission. We’ve searched tirelessly for you ever since.”

Zach’s expression flickered with doubt, but beneath it was the seed of something else—a flicker of the truth. “Prove it,” he demanded.

Laura met his gaze with fierce determination. “I will. But first, let me protect you, as I’ve always done.”