Heather lay sprawled across the bed in the young master's chamber, Alex curled up beside her. Caius's bed. She still found it ridiculous how the staff referred to him that way, as if he were some untouchable figure rather than just Caius.
Young master? He was just Caius. Fear and reverence wrapped around him like a cloak, thick enough for her to notice at every turn. Even when she had insulted him, calling him a self-important ass in front of the maids for saying she would outgrow the dress in less than a day, they only exchanged wary glances among themselves, too stunned to react.
Her fingers brushed through Alex's hair absentmindedly.
"Are you and Daddy really married?" Alex asked suddenly, looking up at her with quiet curiosity.
Heather froze for a fraction of a second, her mind racing. What was the right answer? The truth felt cruel. The lie felt heavier. She didn't want to break whatever fragile happiness Alex had settled into, but she also didn't want to betray him.
"No," she said firmly, deciding honesty was best. He's a smart kid. He'll understand.
"But everyone here thinks you are."
Heather sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Yeah, well… We don't want Grandma Ellie to have a heart attack." She paused, reconsidering her wording. "You see, if she finds out we're not married, she might, uh, go to a better place."
Alex frowned. "I know what death is."
Heather patted his back lightly. "Right."
"But lying isn't great, huh? You always say the truth comes back and slaps you in the face." Alex looked serious. "So why lie?"
Heather smiled faintly at her own words, comes back and slaps you in the face. He wasn't wrong. Ellie would figure things out eventually—she'd have no choice but to accept it. And maybe it was time to tell Caius she wanted out. Right now.
Before she could move, a few maids entered the room, rolling in stacks of suits. Caius followed after, directing them to place everything inside the walk-in closet. As they left, he turned to Heather.
"Shouldn't you be ready?" he asked.
"For what? It's not time yet."
"You used to prepare four hours before events," he reminded her, then paused. "I've never seen anyone take so long to get ready with such…"
"Little result?" Heather cut in, his words hitting a little too close to home. A little too familiar.
Caius tilted his head. "Determination. With such determination."
"Right," she murmured, refusing to move.
His gaze flickered toward Alex, the interaction unpracticed. "Hey, buddy," he greeted awkwardly.
Alex blinked. "You're not good with kids."
For the first time since she had met Caius, he laughed, an actual laugh, genuine and warm, like a sound she didn't think he was capable of.
"I've never liked them," he admitted.
"How do you deal with Asher then?" Heather asked, watching for his reaction.
Caius shifted slightly before sitting at the edge of the bed. "He's always with his mother."
Heather smirked. "That's a convenient excuse."
He didn't say anything.
"Do you ever spend time with him?"
Caius glanced at her, sighing. "What's with the questions? I know you don't actually care."
She shrugged. "Sorry for trying to be a wife."
"Wife?" He smirked slightly. "I thought you said we didn't have to pretend when my family wasn't watching."
"I don't know why I said that."
"Which part?"
"Now."
Caius nodded, as if accepting her non-answer.
Alex, having watched the exchange quietly, spoke up. "Is that why you two divorced? Because you fight a lot?"
Heather hesitated for just a second. "Some people just aren't compatible," she said, standing up abruptly.
She was tired. Tired of being here, of playing a role she wasn't sure she wanted anymore. It had been two days since she arrived at the Thorne estate, and her agency had no idea where she was. Marcus was probably losing his mind, the director scrambling over the charity performance premiere scheduled in a month. She wondered what was happening in the world outside this house.
As she stepped into the main wing, the estate was filled with preparations. Staff moved in hurried motions, Lily directing them as she balanced tasks. Heather dodged a man carrying a long ladder, who nearly collided with her before apologizing profusely.
She headed toward the kitchen, thirsty. Inside, Adonis spoke with the head chef, briefly glancing at her before returning to his discussion.
"A glass of water, please," Heather requested from a maid, ignoring him entirely.
"Mrs. Thorne, you didn't have to come all the way here just for water."
"I needed the walk," she responded lightly.
"I—I don't want to get into trouble with the young master," the maid admitted hesitantly.
Heather studied her, brows furrowing. "You won't." But the way the maid's shoulders stiffened made her wonder—just who was Caius in this household? What had he done to make these people fear him so much?
She took the water and left, footsteps following her.
"Heather," came Adonis's voice.
She turned.
"Adonis."
"Can I talk to you?"
She nodded, waiting.
"Are you really married to Caius?"
Her stomach twisted slightly. That wasn't a good question. Go with the lie, her mind screamed. "Yes."
"You hesitated," he observed.
Heather narrowed her eyes. "I just don't understand where this is coming from. Everyone knows I'm married to Caius."
"There's just something about it that feels… fake."
"Excuse me?" she said, defensively.
"The day I met you, you weren't wearing a wedding ring."
She scoffed. "Why were you looking at my fingers?"
"I wanted to know if you were married or not."
"I took off my ring."
"For someone who wears a ring every day, I find it strange there was no mark."
Heather's patience thinned. "What do you want?"
"The truth."
"I can't have this conversation without my husband," Heather said, turning to leave.
Adonis moved swiftly, stretching his arm out to block her path. "It's only fair, isn't it? He's the one pulling your strings. Telling you what to say. Even what to wear. You're just his puppet." He paused, his gaze piercing. "What are you two really after? The inheritance? Did he promise you half? Are you splitting it?"
Heather exhaled sharply, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Why is everyone so obsessed with inheritance? Caius had never mentioned anything like that. He was already a multi billionaire—he didn't need more. They were doing this for Grandma Ellie... Weren't they?
Heather frowned. "Let me through," she said, her voice firmer now.
"It's just too suspicious why Caius is publicly known dating your stepsister while claiming he's married to you secretly?"
Heather's heart clenched at the mention of Lauren. "It's just a rumor," she whispered.
Adonis sighed. "You're still known as Heather Remington. Not Thorne."
"I want to keep my father's name."
"The same father who disowned you?"
Heather's breath hitched slightly. How does he know that? Only Lauren and Evelyn would know. Was he working with them?
"Heather, just come clean. Caius is selfish, he's doing everything for himself. Not you. Not Alex," Adonis pressed. "Tell everyone the truth."
Heather stepped closer, raising herself slightly. "You can keep getting your information from my stepsister, but just like her, you're also illegitimate. Stop fighting for something you don't deserve."
She turned sharply to leave, but Adonis grabbed her wrist. The force made her drop her glass, the shatter echoing through the hallway. The pressure of his grip burned, her sensitive skin already swelling.
...
Heather strode into Caius's room without hesitation. "Caius, we have a problem."
The space was empty. Her eyes swept across the bed, where Alex lay, flipping through the pages of his book.
"Alex, where's Caius?"
Her son barely looked up. "Daddy's in his office."
Heather nodded. "Is everything alright, Mommy?"
She forced a small smile, brushing his hair back. "Mm-hmm," she murmured before making her way down the hall to Caius's office.
She ignored the DO NOT ENTER sign and walked in anyway.
"Caius, we have a big problem."
Caius exhaled, barely glancing up from the book in his hand. "Didn't you read the sign?"
"Didn't you hear me? We have a problem."
He finally looked at her, unimpressed. "Did you read the sign or not?"
"Yes, I read your stupid sign and chose to ignore it because we have a problem."
He leaned back against his chair, looking as unbothered as ever. "What could possibly be worse than you barging into my space?"
Heather crossed her arms. "Adonis knows we're not married."
That got his attention. Caius sat up straighter. "Did you tell him?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Why would I do that?"
"A simple 'yes' or 'no' would suffice."
"No, I didn't tell him," she said, crossing her arms. "But I think Lauren did."
Caius's expression darkened. "Why would Lauren do that? It's none of her business."
Heather let out a frustrated breath. "He mentioned something about inheritance. What does that even mean?"
Caius stood, adjusting the cuff of his shirt. "The ritual of transmigration is essentially passing down an inheritance to your heir. Like retirement, but my family likes to be dramatic."
Heather raised a brow. "And what does that have to do with this ridiculous marriage act?"
Caius sighed, rubbing his temple. "I… really don't know."
Heather frowned, her mind replaying Adonis's words. "He also said we're planning to split the inheritance. And that you promised me half. But we really are just doing this for grandma Ellie."
Caius's expression hardened, but he didn't respond.
Heather let out a slow breath, rubbing her wrist where Adonis's grip had left a raw red mark. It was beginning to swell, the pain was dull but persistent. She hadn't thought he intended to hurt her, still, the intensity in his words made it clear he wasn't finished asking questions.
And as much as she hated to admit it, she wasn't sure she had all the answers either.