Chapter 005: Make Him Suffer.

Georgia:

Home.

I don’t even know what that word feels like anymore. It’s been years since I’ve felt anything close to it. For so long, I’ve been trapped and chained in a life that barely resembled mine. And the worst part? I lied to myself. Over and over again.

I had a chance to walk away, to make Evan Henshaw pay for what he did. But I didn’t. I chose what I thought was love. I believed that maybe, just maybe, if I shrank myself enough… if I stayed quiet and played the part, he’d finally love me.

Stupid, right?

I must’ve read too many fairytales as a girl—stories where love conquers all, where broken men are magically healed by love. I convinced myself that would be my story too. That if I kept giving, one day he’d see me.

But what I got instead was pain. Years of it. And in the end, I lost everything. Including my baby.

And now? Now I’m done playing the fool.

I’m going to make them pay. Especially Anastasia. She’s going to lose something so precious, she’ll wish she never even breathed in my direction.

“You know you can’t sit in this car forever,” Deckard says, pulling me from the spiral in my head. “Father’s waiting. He’ll be happy to see his princess again.”

I glance at him. My brother. The only one who never turned his back on me.

“I’m giving myself a little pep talk,” I mutter, breathing out a shaky sigh. “I humiliated him, Deckard. He gave me everything. All he ever asked in return was that I marry the man he chose for me…”

“Oh, come on, Georgia. He can’t still be mad at you. It was just a silly mistake. You were in love. He can’t punish you for that.”

A soft sigh slips past my lips as the weight of it all settles in my chest.

“You… you really think so?”

Another sigh escapes. God, why do I still feel so small?

Deckard reaches over and takes my hands in his.“I know so, Georgia. Now come on. Let’s go.”

I try to still my heartbeat. It’s hammering against my ribs..then, I draw in a deep breath before finally stepping out of the car.

The mansion looms ahead, grand and still. And yet… somehow, more beautiful than I remember.

Everything looks the same, but different. Familiar, but touched by time.

My eyes drift to the garden and a quiet chuckle bubbles in my throat. So many memories flash through my mind. Me and my brothers, racing around, pulling ridiculous pranks that almost always ended in someone getting scolded. Usually me.

I take another breath and move forward.

Then I push the doors open.

And just like that, it feels like the entire world freezes.

Every servant in sight turns to look at me. The room falls into stunned silence. Faces stiffen. Eyes widen. Some even drop what they’re holding.

No one expected this. No one expected me.

The only daughter of the Ashcroft family to suddenly reappear.

“Oh my god! Miss Georgia! This is such a pleasant surprise!“ a woman gasps, her face lighting up. “I never thought I’d see you again. Welcome back!”

I smile at her warmth.

Before I can respond, Deckard leans in behind me and murmurs, “Hate to break up the reunion, Georgia, but Father’s probably waiting in his study. You know how he is.” His voice softens. “Don’t worry. I’m right here with you every step of the way.”

I nod, but my chest tightens. Dread crawls up my spine as I look at the staircase.

I don’t know what kind of reception to expect. Will he welcome me back like the daughter he raised? Or will he scold me—maybe even disown me—for the mistakes I’ve made?

Still… I know I made the right choice. Leaving Evan was the first real decision I made for myself.

But knowing that doesn’t make this any easier. My heart pounds harder with every step, like it’s trying to escape before I face what’s waiting behind that door.

We reach the top. I stop in front of the study, staring at the carved wooden door like it’s a wall I might never be able to cross.

With trembling hands, I turn the knob.

And then, I see him. My father. Alpha Brandon Ashcroft. His face is unreadable. No smile. No anger. Just… stillness. I can’t tell if he’s happy to see me or disappointed I even bothered coming back.

Every part of me wants to run up and hug him. It’s been so long. And yet, he still looks exactly how I remember..just older. The brunette in his hair has faded into soft gray, but his blue eyes… they still carry that familiar warmth. The one that used to make me feel safe.

There’s a long stretch of silence before he finally speaks.

“So, the prodigal daughter decides to return home.” He tilts his head slightly, studying me. “Your brother told me how you were treated in that so-called marriage.” His jaw clenches. “You’re an Ashcroft, Georgia. But you let someone like Evan Henshaw walk all over you. That man is nothing. A nobody. And I swear, he’s going to pay for what he did to you.”

He suddenly shoots to his feet, taking few steps towards me.

I part my lips to speak, but before a word comes out, he closes the distance between us and wraps me in a tight hug. I freeze for a second, then melt into his arms. It’s been so long since I’ve felt this... wanted.

When he finally pulls back, his gaze softens as it meets mine. “You’re my only daughter, Georgia. I love you, and I’m proud that you’ve finally come to your senses. You’ve returned to your rightful place. As the heiress of the Ashcroft Empire, and the daughter of Alpha Brandon Ashcroft. That means you—”

“Oh no, Father,” Deckard groans, lifting his hands. “She just got home. At least let her breathe a little. She deserves some rest after everything she’s been through.”

I can’t help but laugh. That protective edge in his voice? That’s the brother I know and love.

“I think what she needs right now,” Deckard says, grinning, “is a feast. A grand one. To celebrate the return of the Ashcroft princess.” He turns to me, eyes twinkling. “What do you say, little sis? I can’t wait to see the look on Alpha Evan Henshaw’s face when he finds out who you really are.”

I can practically see him imagining it..Evan’s shock, his disbelief. The way his smug little world would crumble.

“No,” I say firmly, folding my arms behind my back. “No parties. Not yet.”

Deckard raises an eyebrow, surprised.

“Why?”

“I want Evans to think I’m nothing but a rogue,” I continue, my voice calm but cold. “Let him bask in his little victory. Let him believe he’s won. Because when I strike… I want it to hit where it hurts most. I want him to be completely blind to it. No warning. No mercy. No clue who’s pulling the strings.”

“You’re sure?” he asks.

I meet his gaze and smirk. “Yes, Deckard. If there’s one thing Father taught us, it’s to move in silence. Be patient. Be calculated. Especially with our enemies.” I tilt my head slightly. “And right now, Alpha Evan Henshaw is enemy number one to the Ashcroft family.”

I glance toward my father—and in a moment I can’t quite explain—I pull him into another hug. A deep one. One I didn’t know I needed until now.

I don’t even remember the last time I felt this kind of warmth.

As we pull apart, Deckard steps in again, his expression curious, eyes glinting with excitement.

“So,” he says, “tell me, Georgia… What do you have in mind? How exactly are you going to make Alpha Evan suffer?”