The Billionaire’s Creed

MYKEL

I had to be grateful despite the space between us. Adley came back home to me, and that was what mattered most. I would make it up every day for the rest of my life until she would learn to forgive me.

She was checking herself in the mirror when I came in. She wore a blue dress that hugged her curves perfectly. Her round ass should be a sin, and those ample round tits gave me a constant hard-on.

“You look fantastic.” I smiled at our reflections in the mirror.

“Not bad yourself.” There was no life in her reply, and it fucking hurt.

I couldn’t take another second-I wrapped my arms around her and kissed the side of her head. I closed my eyes and took her smell in my chest before I let her go.

“What was that for?” She was staring at me.

“For coming home.” This time I tend to tell her everything. No more secrets.

Her smile was genuine. “There’s no place I’d rather be. Anyway, there’s something I wanna tell you.”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

My heart skipped a bit. I didn’t like this kind of intro.

“Okay.” I tried to calm down, but I almost didn’t make that one word out. I felt my tongue stuck in my mouth.

“I don’t know if I should tell you this, but Lyra opened up to me, so I guess this is not a secret in the family.”

“What is it about?”

She turned to face me. “Lyra’s baby is not your father’s.”

“What the fuck? Does Dru know about it?”

“Yes. In fact, your father volunteered to help Lyra leave work while she’s pregnant. They’re not romantically involved, but I guessed they greatly care for each other.”

“Where’s the sperm donor?”

“Lyra’s first and last boyfriend didn’t want to be involved. She said he denied that it’s his.”

“Fucking asshole,” I grunted out.

“See? I think Dru wanted to help her because he felt guilty about his past. He gave the poor woman a roof to stay in when her parents literally threw her out of their lives.”

“She mentioned about her family being traditional.” That made sense.

“Why don’t you give him a chance?”

I nodded. It had been in my heart for a long time. Maybe it was about time to let go of the past and move on. I didn’t know if it would be easy for all of us, but baby fucking steps, right?

“Let’s go.” She hooked her arm around mine.

“Are you sure you wanna do this?”

“I’m planning to support your family, mine, and my friends for the rest of my life.”

“Thanks for doing this.” I covered her hand with mine.

“He’s still your half brother, Mykel. He’s family.”

We arrived at the address he texted Adley. I had not seen the place. Kye only told me the details.

Knox’s gallery was not big but pretty decent. Knowing he did not ask for my father’s help, he would not certainly come to me and ask anything, maybe even if his life was in danger.

Yesterday, I screenshotted his post on his Instagram account and posted it on my account, and it received a lot of buzz from my friends and followers.

The gallery was surprisingly almost crowded now. I spotted him right away. Knox was an inch or two shorter than me, but we had some similarities. He had long curly hair, and he got his hazel eyes from his mother. Adley told me that I had strong and edgy features, while Knox, on the other hand, had softer.

“Mykel, what a surprise? I didn’t know that you would come.” He extended his hand while Adley was elbowing me.

“Knox.” I pulled him into a brotherly hug. After that, I cleared my throat. “I want you to meet someone-”

“That I already knew.” He smiled. “Hey, Adley.” They hugged each other. If it had happened before I told Adley who Knox was, I might rip her away from Knox, but this time was different. She made a choice, and I was grateful and lucky that I still mattered to her.

“This is amazing.”

“You know. Well, the least I can do, is use my talent since I’m the half-brother.” That must have been difficult for him. I always felt insignificant and useless when people acknowledged me for being Dru Hartford’s son even though I was using Creed.

“I’m sorry you felt that way.”

“Oh, not only that, but she also chose you over me.” His smile was mischievous, but I got it. “My surprise, you two are married just a week after I met her.”

“It’s a long story.”

“Nah, man. I’m good. She’s yours. And I can see that now. You two are a match made in heaven.” He offered his hand again. “Water under the bridge?”

We did a handshake. “Water under the bridge.”

“Thanks for helping me spread the word. Your post helped. I guess the perk of having a billionaire brother. Half-brother,” he corrected himself.

“I’m happy for you. You made us proud. I know you would never come and ask for my help, but it doesn’t have to be of anything. You’re always welcome.”

His brow arched. “What changed?” I knew he would ask that.

I glanced at Adley, waving at Lyra walking in our direction.

“I see.” Knox nodded. “I’m happy for you. Don’t break her heart, Mykel.”

“Not gonna happen.”

“Good.”

“Mykel, Knox.” My father joined us. After exchanging some pleasantries, I saw the look in Dru’s eyes. He looked happy. “This is wonderful, son.”

“Well, I don’t have a business mind as him.” He pointed at me. “Or as theoretical brain as yours, I’m good with my hands and colors.”

“I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks, Dad. Please, check some paintings, and don’t go home empty-handed. I have some guests to entertain. And Mykel, it’s nothing personal. It’s just an art.” He grinned at me.

“What the hell is he talking about?” I asked my father as I watched Knox walk away.

“I have no idea, son. Thank you for being okay with this.”

“I think it’s about time to leave the past behind. Adley made me realize the importance of family. There’s no such thing as a perfect family. You just have to accept their flaws and mistakes and be there for them. I think I had enough fair share of pain and suffering. I want to be happy with my wife, and I want you and Lyra, Knox, and your unborn child to be a part of my life, as well.”