Chapter 2
Caelan's smile faltered for a moment.
Apparently, he didn't expected me to react this way.
He thought I might hesitate or act cute, but I'd agree in the end.
After all, I loved him deeply, and we were already married.
He quickly changed his expression, took my hand, and spoke more gently.
He continued, "Rowan, don't overthink it, Vivian's your sister now too. We're family. And family looks out for each other.
"That apartment is empty. Let her use it for her wedding.
"Once she has the money, we'll let her repay you."
He made it sound so natural and caring.
It was as if he were doing it all for me.
But listening to him just made me feel sick to my stomach.
Vivian's my sister? We're family?
I met his gaze and quietly withdrew my hand.
This time, I refused to let him take it back.
"Let me ask you something, Caelan." My voice stayed calm, but every word came out razor-sharp. "Legally, does Vivian have any connection to me whatsoever?"
His expression changed. "Rowan, what do you mean?"
I said coldly, "She's a Drake, I'm a Sinclair. Only you connect us.
"Why should I give the house my parents left me to a legal stranger?"
His breath quickened, eyes wide in disbelief at Rowan.
"A stranger? Rowan, she's my only sister!" Caelan's voice trembled in shock.
"That's right," I said, my gaze cold.
I added, "She's your sister, not mine. If she needs apartment after the wedding, that's your and your parents' responsibility, not mine.
"Caelan, we just got married. We've barely left the registry office."
I spoke each word slowly, reminding him and myself. "And you started scheming for my premarital assets."
"Scheming? Really?" he snapped.
He reacted as if he'd been stung. "Rowan. How could you say 'scheming'?
"I was just running it by you! We're married—what's yours is ours, isn't it? What's the big deal with asking?"
His voice drew attention from passersby.
I felt absolutely no shame.
And I stared at him, as if he were a complete stranger.
After seven years, I finally saw his true colors today.
"What's mine," I said, my voice turning cold, "is not yours.
"Caelan, listen! All properties in my name were notarized before our marriage.
"They're my assets, not yours or your family's. Don't even think about it"
Caelan stood speechless and still.
He locked his burning eyes on me, shocked, furious, and clearly humiliated.
He stammered, "You notarized your assets before the wedding? When?
"You actually planned behind my back?"
He looked betrayed by his most trusted person.
I saw his expression and found it pathetic.
"Yeah, I was guarding myself against you," I owned it, laughing softly.
I continued, "Guess I made the right call."
The words hit him like a slap, leaving him reeling.
His face turned dark red—almost purple with rage.
"Rowan! This is too much!" he yelled, voice shaking.
He pointed at me with a trembling finger.
"After all these years, does it mean nothing? Are you really doubting me over a few apartments?" his voice cracked with hurt.
I refused to argue with him.
Then I walked to the curb to flag a cab.
There was no point reasoning with someone who assumed what was yours was theirs.
Caelan grabbed my arm, holding me tight.
He snapped, "Rowan, don't walk away! Answer me now—I'm not letting you leave."
I yanked my arm free. "An answer?"
"Explain?" she laughed.
"Alright, I'll give you one."
I grabbed my phone, found Mavis's number, and called.
The call connected almost immediately.
"Hey, Mavis."
"Rowan? Just got married? Congrats!" her voice bubbled with excitement over the phone.
I looked at Caelan and turned on the speaker.
And I said, "Yeah, we did.
"But when you said to notarize my assets before the wedding, did you already expect this?"
There was a brief pause on the other end.
Then she let out a sigh and asked, "Did he ask you for anything?"