CHAPTER 3

Jenna excused herself to get a drink of water. Upon returning, she had to go search for Lex Luthor to say thanks for the night before, because that was exactly what she had been hungry for. What had been a mere flirtatious encounter had blossomed into a night of raw passion and climaxes.

And maybe she'd exchange numbers. No strings, but a girl can dream.

When she turned the corner into the living room, his voice reached her. He was on the phone in the kitchen, his back toward her.

She hesitated, curiosity getting the better of her.

"Yes. Believe it?" He had an irritated tone. "I'd never let a woman get that sort of power over me. I'd rather die than let that happen. Fucking gold diggers. And if she did show up pregnant down the line informing me she was pregnant, I'd show her who she was messing with."

He snorted. "There is no way I'm becoming attached to a woman. Ever."

The words hit her like a splash of cold water.

With a quick aside for a laugh, he said, "You know it, it's always on to the next one for me."

Jenna remained against the wall, her heart pounding.

Did he think that was what he thought this night was all about? Her, lying to him?

And God, could he be so heartless talking about women? On to the next one? Like they meant nothing? Toys to be cast aside after use?

She had an idea what they were to each other when they had met last night, but it still pained her like a bitch.

Jenna spun and headed back in the direction of the room, hurried over to remove her clothes again, and headed for the door.

Her heart was heavy, but her resolve hardened, as she opened the door and stepped outside his apartment.

Last night was fun. But this man was not one she wanted in her life, not after what he told her. The heavenly climaxes were not worth it.

Bye, Lex Luthor. Thanks for showing me heaven before showing me hell.

-------Five Years Later-------

Sienna tapped his foot on the cold hospital floor. "How long do you think it'll take?"

Steele picked an eyebrow. "Babies take their time, Les. Just relax."

Jenna found herself torn between her two sisters.

They called first thing this morning with news that Snow, her stepmom, had given birth. Their bickering, which had been the soundtrack to their family's life since childhood, echoed down the hallway.

"Relax? You heard her yelling in there! I don't know if I can believe I'm actually going to push a baby out," Sienna griped.

Steele snapped back, "Of course not. I wouldn't expect a man to do anything more than stand around during a delivery."

He snorted. "That's rich, coming from you, especially considering that you don't have the experience."

Jenna blocked them out. Their quarreling was as much a part of their life as the family business. Some things never changed.

Today, though, was different. For Dad, it was a big thing; he'd always wanted to have another with Snow. For Jenna, though, it meant something else. She wondered if, once and for all, the day would come when she'd be handed the reins of the Cult.

As the eldest son, succession was never in doubt, but timing. Every choice she'd ever made, from staying home to get through college to steering clear of late nights, had been driven by that destiny. Her aspiration had been to excel at their family business and bring it to new levels. And now… it was almost time.

But with that awareness came a persistent unease.

Dad had planned to retire two years ago. Everyone expected he’d do so soon after marrying Snow. Instead, he’d kept postponing it, always saying, "You need more time," even while jetting off around the world.

Jenna kept asking herself, "How much longer?"

Steele suddenly nudged her, her eyes narrowing. "Why so quiet?"

Sienna grinned. "You look like you’re the one in labor."

Jenna rolled her eyes. "I've got a lot on my plate, and I don't expect you two to get it."

They shared a glance and erupted into laughter.

"Right. Mr. Next-in-Line for the Luthor throne, always reminding us," Steele joked.

In before Jenna could snap back, the delivery room door swung open. Dad stepped out, creased but triumphant smile plastered on his face, holding in his arms a small swaddled-up pink-clad figure.

"Everyone, meet Piper."

All their bickering vanished.

They all clustered around him, eager to get a glimpse of the new little Marchetti.

Sienna whispered, "I didn't know babies were that little."

Steele's eyes were brimming with tears. "Our new sister… I'm going to spoil her rotten."

"Don't let her mom overhear that," Dad teased, then turned to Jenna. "Lex Luthor, want to hold your baby sister? You haven't spoken a word."

Jenna hesitated for a moment, then spread her arms wide.

Dad gently set Piper in her arms.

As she took her fragile little hand, a wave of unexpected emotion enveloped her.

"Welcome to the family," she said softly, warmth spreading through her chest.

"She's perfect, isn't she?" Dad had stepped alongside her. "All these years, and now we've got someone new."

"Hey, get your turn too," Steele hollered out, and Sienna laughed.

She passed her to Steele's arms, still holding her little hand.

Her eyes shifted to Dad's. "Congratulations. It's a big day. For all of us."

He nodded, the smile becoming thoughtful. "It is. I want to be there this time."

"I know, Dad. You did great with us, even though we weren't always together. You were too busy creating the business from scratch," Jenna shrugged a little.

"Yes, but now I want to be there for every little moment."

A heavy silence loomed between them.

Jenna knew where this was headed. It wasn't just about him; it was about their future, her future with the company.

Having inherited the Cult had defined her life, and now that Piper was present, the burden felt heavier.

"Dad, what's your plan for the future of the company?" Jenna tried to conceal the nervous knot in her belly.

He turned away and then breathed out. "Snow and I have talked. I want to be around for my kids, actually be there. That means getting out of the business sooner rather than later."

A knot twisted in Jenna. "You need a break, Dad. You've devoted your best years to the company. Maybe it's time to pass the torch on."

He stared at her, worry in his eyes. "But what about you, Lex Luthor? You already have so much on your plate. I don't want you to get burned out like me."

Jenna was taken aback. "Me? You know how much I love my job. It's all I've ever done."

He ruffled his head and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Son, it's not everything about business. Life isn't everything board meetings and bottom lines. I want you to be really happy. Family, love, a life outside the office."

Jenna furrowed her brow, confused. "I don't think I do. Work is what makes me happy. The vineyard is my love."

"Listen, there's going to be a point in time when you'll need something else, someone to come home to, someone to spend the remainder of your life with. I don't want you to be sorry about it."

Jenna looked at his face. "Settle down? You mean I need to find someone before you retire?"

His face softened, but his tone remained firm. "I'm telling you, I want you to be happy. When you've achieved balance, then we can talk about me stepping aside. Not before you're ready, though."

Jenna blinked. "You're saying I need to get married before I can be CEO? That's. strange."

Dad's expression was solemn. "I just want you to have everything, not work as a slave. Trust me, there is more to life than business. And when you have children of your own, you'll understand."

Jenna fell silent as his words struck her. All those decisions she made, all the sacrifices, had been for this life. Now his worry made her question whether she'd been living in denial.

Then, as if sensing her inner turmoil, Dad hesitated before speaking again. "Lex Luthor, wait—"

A surge of adrenaline forced Jenna to speak. "Actually, I’ve been seeing someone," she blurted out, her voice higher than she intended. "It’s serious."

Dad’s face softened, though he raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Sure. I, I didn't say a word because she's a private person. I wanted to be a little respectful." Jenna was struggling to remain calm, but her heart was racing because she didn't enjoy lying to her dad.

"Maybe you can bring her here soon. Once Snow and I settle in with the baby. Maybe at our new house. We can talk about the succession too."

Jenna forced a weak smile. "Okay. That sounds fine."

As Dad walked away to talk to someone else, Jenna stood looking at her hands in shock. A serious relationship? She hadn't had anything more than a fling in years. How was she supposed to meet somebody so fast who was really something?

The day flew by in a blur of congratulatory whispers, laughter, and moments of quiet contemplation.

Jenna shared holding Piper with her siblings, all of them nodding in silence that their family was going to be different.

Steele doted over their new sister, and Sienna playfully taunted her about being big. Still, Jenna felt the pressure mount.

Then, alone in the waiting room corner, repeating Dad's words in her mind repeatedly, Jenna felt the meanings inside her head. His talk of balance and life beyond the office made a lot of sense to her. All the late nights and missed chances at "normal" life had paid off for being bound by duty to inherit Cult. And now he was telling her about retiring, but after she got settled. The thought thrilled and terrified her.