Chapter 2

“Miss Caroline, your breakfast is ready,” Rosalie said brightly as Caroline descended the staircase.

“Good,” she replied coolly. “Where is it?”

“In the east dining room,” the maid said, then added awkwardly, “With… Mr. Mason.”

Caroline halted. “Excuse me?”

Rosalie flinched slightly. “He… insisted. Said he always eats with you.”

Bryant’s brow furrowed. “Do you want me to—”

“No,” Caroline interrupted. “I’ll handle it.”

She pushed open the ornate dining room doors—and nearly choked.

Mason sat in her seat, reclined with smug ease, a linen napkin tucked into his collar. He was sipping coffee while Rosalie sliced peaches onto his plate.

“Morning, sweetheart,” Mason said with a wink. “You’re late.”

Caroline didn’t move. “That’s my chair.”

“You always let me sit here,” Mason said, his grin stretching. “Tradition.”

“And do I also traditionally let my maid feed you?”

Rosalie quickly stepped back, cheeks coloring. “I was just—he asked—”

“Out,” Caroline snapped.

Rosalie fled. Mason laughed.

“Oh, come on, Caroline,” he said. “Don’t be so dramatic. I know you’re confused, but we’ve had breakfast together every morning for two years. You used to love making me tea—said my smile tasted better with honey.”

She walked slowly to the table, picked up her plate—and dumped the eggs in his lap.

Mason leapt up. “What the hell!”

“You’re in my house. In my seat. Spending my money. Eating my food. And I don’t remember agreeing to any of it.”

“I’m your boyfriend,” he snapped.

“Says who?”

“You. Before the fall!”

“Then the fall did me a favor.”

He growled, grabbing a napkin to wipe yolk from his lap. “You’re acting like a spoiled brat.”

“I’m acting like a daughter of Alpha Taylor,” she said icily. “Which is more than I can say for the pathetic leech squatting in my house.”

Bryant stepped inside silently, hand on his belt. Caroline didn’t glance at him.

“I won’t ask again,” she said. “Get. Out.”

Mason scoffed. “Fine. Throw your tantrum. But you’ll regret this. When the fog clears, you’ll remember what we had.”

“I hope I never do.”

He shoved the chair back and stormed past Bryant. “Keep pretending, Princess,” he called over his shoulder. “Let’s see how long your little act lasts.”

Once he was gone, Caroline exhaled.

Bryant approached quietly. “You all right?”

She nodded. “I’ve decided. I want full financial reports. Every cent spent in my name the last twelve months. Especially anything tied to him.”

“I’ll have the accountants on it within the hour.”

“And Rosalie?”

“She’s been loyal to Mason,” Bryant said. “Never to you.”

“Then she doesn’t belong here either.”

She turned, spine straight. “Let’s see how many people were here for Caroline the fool, and how many will stay for Caroline the Alpha’s heir.”

That afternoon, Caroline stood in her father’s study, arms crossed.

“You're discharging Mason?” Alpha Taylor asked, blinking. “You were inseparable.”

“I don’t know that girl,” Caroline replied. “But I don’t like her taste.”

“Rosalie, too?”

“She pushed me. I know it. I can’t prove it yet, but I will.”

Alpha Taylor stared at her, then nodded. “I wondered if the fall would change you.”

“Maybe I needed changing.”

Bryant stood behind her silently, the shadow at her side.

That evening, storm clouds gathered above Taylor Manor.

Caroline stood by the stained-glass window, watching the wind whip the garden trees. Thunder rolled in the distance.

A soft knock came at the door.

“Yes?”

A servant stepped in, holding an envelope. “Miss. From the villa finance office. Marked urgent.”

She opened it. A list of charges. Hotel stays. Private car rentals. Jewelry purchases. All in her name. All billed to Mason Whitlock.

“Get me the head of finance,” Caroline said coldly. “Now.”

“Yes, miss.”

Bryant watched her silently. “You okay?”

“No.” She folded the paper. “I’m furious.”

She moved to the fireplace, stared into the flames.

“How could I have let this happen?”

“You trusted him,” Bryant said simply.

“I was a fool.”

“No,” he said. “You were kind.”

Her eyes met his.

“I don’t want to be kind anymore.”

He hesitated. “Don’t confuse kindness with weakness. They’re not the same.”

She turned back to the fire. “Then I’ll learn to be both.”

Lightning flashed. Rain pounded against the windows.

Caroline lifted her chin. “Mason thought I’d forget him and come running back. Instead, I’ve forgotten the chains he wrapped around me.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“And I don’t plan on wearing them again.”