"Because it would break Grandma Ellie's heart."
Heather froze, her anger momentarily replaced by guilt. "She doesn't even know you're Caius," she muttered, regretting it the moment it slipped out.
He frowned. "How do you know that?"
She hesitated, chewing on her bottom lip. "I… sort of met her and Adonis a few days ago."
"Sort of?" His brow arched, disbelief was written all over his face.
"She doesn't remember me, and she called him-- well, you," Heather admitted, her words rushed. "And Adonis didn't know I'm Heather."
Caius huffed. "Whatever. I'm getting you and Alex out of here. You cannot stay around them."
He spoke as if it was more of an order, than a statement. His commanding tone sparked something rebellious in Heather. It reminded her too much of the past, the way Caius used to control her every move. She stepped closer.
"No."
"What?" He stared at her, genuinely caught off guard.
"I said no," she repeated firmly. "I'm having breakfast with the Thorne family, and you're not going to do anything about it. Understood?"
Caius was speechless, his face hardened as he searched for a response. "After breakfast, then."
"I'll think about it."
Caius's gaze stayed on her for a while. Expressionless, as usual. Then his eyes flicked downward, scanning her body. It was only then that Heather remembered she was still wearing the nightgown. His gaze lingered a beat too long, and she felt self-conscious, like she was exposed.
"What are you wearing?" he asked, his voice low, almost like a growl.
She glanced down at herself, a small, triumphant smile tugging at her lips. "It's a nightgown."
He looked like he had something to say but bit it back. She didn't care, she felt proud. Not of the nightgown, but of herself. She said no to Caius, and he had no choice but to accept it. For once, she felt in control.
"I'm going back inside," she said, turning toward the door.
"Heather, wait." He paused, his tone softened. "You're comfortable with us playing pretend marriage?"
She shrugged, glancing back at him. "Who says we're playing anything?"
His jaw clenched. "You can't tell them about the divorce."
"Why not?"
"My grandmother, Heather. She might have a heart attack or something."
"I'm not going to lie just because you don't have the balls to tell your family we're divorced."
Caius shot her a sharp look. "Why don't you go ahead and deliver the news to them? I'm assuming you have the bigger balls."
"I'm not having this argument with you, Caius. You were the one who wanted a divorce. It's your mess to clean up."
He sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging slightly. "I made a mistake…"
Heather's eyes narrowed, and her lips curled in a mocking smile. She could already guess what he would say next. "Take me back," or some other garbage excuse, she thought bitterly.
"… I shouldn't have let them find out. I mean, I hid it for more than two years," he continued. "But they were pestering me about getting married. Since I already was, I just… told them."
No?
"That's your problem, not mine," she retorted coldly, brushing past him.
"Heather, please." He caught her arm, his grip was gentle but firm.
Her arms crossed over her chest as she turned back to him.
"Please," he repeated, and for the first time, she saw genuine vulnerability in his eyes. This was the first she ever heard him say "please", not to her, not to anyone. He never really begged for anything.
"No."
His frustration was evident as he raked a hand through his hair. "Okay. What do you want? Name it. Anything."
Heather tilted her head, letting his words hang in the air. They sounded all too familiar. She didn't respond, letting the silence drag long enough to unsettle him. She didn't have to do anything for him, not even for a price.
"Say something," he pleaded. "I know everyone wants something."
Still, she stayed quiet, her piercing gaze locked on his.
"If you don't want anything, at least do this for my grandmother," Caius said, his voice softer now. "I know you were close to her. You love her, and she loves you too." He hesitated before adding, "I'm not asking for forever. Just until I get my… balls together. Then I'll tell them myself."
Heather stared at him for a moment longer before brushing past him once again without a word. Caius frustratedly followed closely behind her.
"Let's have breakfast," Heather said, settling into her seat. Caius sat beside her, his name tag was positioned next to hers. He adjusted in his seat, his gaze lingering on her for a moment.
"Why did you two take so long?" Caius's mother asked, her tone curious but light.
Heather offered a calm reply, "We were having a conversation."
"I'm guessing it didn't favor Caius," Lily quipped, her lips curling in amusement. The family chuckled for a brief moment. Caius shot her a warning glare.
"Heather, since you're one of ours, we'd like to officially invite you to the family meeting tomorrow."
Heather raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "What family meeting?"
"It's the ritual of transmigration," he replied matter-of-factly.
"Right." Heather nodded, feigning understanding even though the term meant nothing to her.
"So, will you join us?" the father pressed.
Heather glanced at Caius. His voice dropped as he leaned slightly toward her. "You don't have to attend," He only said that because he wanted her to be gone after breakfast.
"Nonsense," his father countered. "It's mandatory for family members."
Heather tilted her head. "If it's mandatory, why are you inviting me?"
"Because we still need your approval. We understand your career keeps you very busy."
Heather hesitated, then gave a short nod. "Yeah, sure."
Leaning closer, Lily whispered playfully, "I'll warn you now, it's party-like."
Heather bit her lower lip. "Then I'll have to go shopping. I didn't bring anything suitable."
"Caius can take you shopping. I heard Ms. Sullivan is in town," she teased.
"I'm busy."
"Busy doing what? You can't be too busy for your wife." Heather almost choked on the last word.
"I have numerous companies to run," Caius replied coolly.
"We all know you don't actually manage them yourself. Each sector has its own team. If you did, you wouldn't have had time for a scandal," Lily retorted with a smirk, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "And brother Caius, it's not like you take all day being busy."
Caius didn't respond, his glare fixed firmly on her.
"So, that's a yes," Lily concluded cheerfully.
Caius turned to Heather, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know anything about women's dresses," he muttered, almost defensively.
"I'm not counting on your opinion."