Chapter 2

I moved to shut the door on instinct—didn't want to deal with him.

Cedric caught it, frowning. "You avoiding me? Why?"

He leaned in, scanning my face. "You mad? Is it about Elyna?"

I shook my head fast. "Nope. I'm happy for you. You two finally made it happen."

He didn't buy it. His eyes shifted, cold and sharp.

"That's really how you feel? Or just acting?" He let out a dry, mocking laugh. "Reine, don't tell me you're still clinging to me. You think I didn't notice that kiss on your eighteenth birthday? That fake drunk bit?"

He sneered. "All those love letters you wrote—I read every single one. Thought you were being slick, but the way you looked at me? Obvious. Everyone in this house knew."

He leaned back, smug. "Not saying it out loud was the smartest move you ever made. Cause if you had? I would've laughed in your face. Laughed at you for ever thinking you stood a chance."

His laugh echoed as he shoved past me and went straight for the desk. He yanked open the bottom drawer, pulled out a thick stack of letters, and threw them across the floor.

Then he stepped on them.

"I raised you since you were seven. And this whole time, you had feelings like that?"

He looked disgusted.

"You knew my heart was with Elyna. And you still wrote that crap? You honestly make me sick."

He got in my face, voice dropping.

"Yesterday, when I was drugged—I saw your eyes. You wanted to be my cure, didn't you? Good thing you didn't. If you had, I'd never stop feeling disgusted. You're not even worthy of touching me."

A sharp stab hit my chest.

I didn't love him anymore—not in this life—but still, those words cut deep.

Cedric threw one last warning my way: stay out of his orbit so Elyna wouldn't get the wrong idea.

Then he slammed the door on his way out.

Fine by me. I didn't want to be anywhere near them anyway.

I had bigger things to handle—like getting my paperwork sorted for moving abroad.

Threw a few essentials in a bag and left the mansion.

***

I didn't get back till almost ten—on purpose.

The second I stepped into my room, I knew. Someone had touched my bed.

Then I saw Elyna's new post: a smug little selfie of her sprawled across my mattress.

Caption: [A $100,000 mattress really makes a difference. Told him I wasn't sleeping well, and boom, he replaced one. That's what love looks like!]

He gave her my bed. The one he custom-ordered when my back was killing me. Six figures, easy.

He used to care like that—used to know what I needed before I said anything.

He raised me. Let me fall for him. Then played the saint and made me the sinner.

But now? Elyna whined once, and boom—he didn't even bother telling me. Just handed it over.

Cedric showed up at my door. "Elyna's a light sleeper, so I gave her your mattress. Your back's fine now, so any mattress should do."

I didn't look at him.

"Okay."

He frowned hard. "You've been way too obedient lately. What's your deal? You used to lose it when I was nice to anyone else. Now you're just... chill? Don't tell me you're plotting something. I'm serious—if you screw with Elyna, I won't hold back."

I looked up. "I'm not trying to screw with anyone. Honestly, I'd just like to be left alone. Isn't this what you always wanted? Me, acting grown? You should be thrilled."

His jaw tightened. "Good. Reine Rouvroy, you're really something."

He slammed the door and stomped downstairs.

That line? Always meant he was pissed.

But I wasn't in the mood to play peacekeeper anymore.

Didn't matter if he was mad. I'd be out of here soon.