Chapter 1

I dragged myself onto the edge of the pool. The evening breeze felt just as icy as Jax's glare.

More guests gathered around, and I could hear their whispers:

"Is that the Alpha's rumored nanny?"

"What nanny... Even a regular nanny gets treated better than that. I heard she not only takes care of the pup but also has to warm the Alpha's bed."

"How pathetic."

I had grown numb to these comments. I didn't feel anything; I just wanted to go back to my room and change out of my soaking wet clothes.

But as I walked past Jax, I felt a foot stick out.

The next second, I hit the ground hard, and the necklace around my neck snapped.

Jax's eyes instantly turned red. He glared at me and roared,

"You bad guy! You broke my mom's favorite necklace!"

His young face was filled with undisguised hatred.

I looked at him with mixed feelings. "Jax, you're lying."

When Stella was alive, she obsessed over luxury. She never wore simple diamond jewelry like this.

Being called out on the spot, Jax looked a little guilty.

He stomped his foot hard and ran off, full of anger.

I didn't chase after him to comfort or explain myself like I usually did.

I walked back to my room alone.

As soon as I pushed the door open, I saw it—the vintage wooden music box, the only thing my birth mother left me, shattered into pieces on the floor.

Delicate little parts were scattered everywhere.

I stood frozen, feeling like a piece of my heart had just been scooped out.

While I was still in shock, Jax's taunting laughter echoed behind me.

"Hahaha, serves you right! Now you know how it feels to lose the most important thing to you!"

He made a face at me and ran away laughing.

I stared at the mess on the floor, speechless for a long time.

When I first came to the Hurricane Pack all alone, I had no extra money or luggage.

The only thing I had was this music box.

When Caleb saw it, he didn't even hide his disgust.

But he couldn't care less about me. He just tossed me a crying infant and a thick stack of parenting manuals.

It took me eight years to raise Jax.

But it only took a split second to lose the thing I cherished most.

With a sigh, I caught the familiar scent of fir cologne.

Looking up, I saw Caleb standing quietly in front of me.

Like father, like son. They really were cut from the same cloth.

Equally arrogant, equally cold.

He waited for me to step forward and take his suit jacket.

"I heard what happened today," he said matter-of-factly.

"Freya, you crossed the line first. You shouldn't have worn that necklace."

Seeing my lack of reaction, he frowned, clearly annoyed.

His eyes swept over the broken pieces on the floor, and his tone softened slightly.

"Jax is still young; he can't control his temper. Why stoop to his level?"

With a simple gesture from Caleb, the maids quickly swept up the pieces.

The cold marble floor was spotless again.

The music box that held my mother's memory was gone, as if it had never existed.

Just like my eight years of careful devotion.

In the hearts of this father and son, I hadn't left a single trace.

Changed into his loungewear, Caleb sat down on the sofa, tapping the marble counter to motion for me to pour him a drink.

I obeyed out of habit.

As soon as I stepped close, his strong arm pulled me into his lap.

His fingers, smelling of strong liquor, trailed down my cheek in an intimate caress.