Chapter 2

Her dress perfectly tailored to her slender figure. A woman who belonged to his world.

“Mother, I’d like you to meet Eloise,” Nigel said, turning to face her. “She’s my fiancée.” Eloise bowed slightly, a charming smile on her lips. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs. Harris. Nigel has told me so much about you.” Mrs. Harris offered a polite smile, but Ryse noticed the fleeting glint in the lady of the house’s eyes. An unreadable glint, perhaps even a hint of disappointment.

But none of that concerned Ryse. She was merely an observer of this scene, which had nothing to do with her.

Yet, when Nigel raised his head, his gaze swept the room and met hers. A suspended moment.

Ryse felt her heart skip a beat. Not because of any romantic infatuation—no, it wasn't that. But that look… That look that fixed on her as if she were a stranger.

As if she had never existed.

Nigel didn't react. No recognition in his eyes.

Just polite indifference.

Ryse felt a shiver run down her spine. Ten years had passed, and nothing remained of the boy who used to hold her when she cried.

She was now just another shadow in the house where she had grown up.

And tonight, more than ever, she knew it.

The silence between them lasted a fraction of a second, but it seemed to stretch on forever. Ryse wasn't one to expect anything from Nigel, not after all these years. Yet, she found herself taking a step forward, then another, until she was standing right in front of him. He was even more imposing up close, his presence overwhelming, almost intimidating. She swallowed slightly, then, in a gesture as natural as it was awkward, she extended her hand.

"Welcome back, Nigel." His voice was calm, composed, with no trace of apparent emotion. After all, she was just a maid here, nothing more. But in her memories, he had been so much more. Perhaps, deep down, a small part of her hoped to see a flicker of recognition, a glimmer in his eyes that would prove to her that those shared years hadn't been completely erased.

But there was nothing. Nigel looked down at her outstretched hand, scrutinizing it as if it were a foreign object. A heavy silence fell.

Then he simply looked away.

He didn't greet her. He didn't take her hand. He didn't even say a word.

The air around them seemed to freeze. Mrs. Harris watched the scene without a word, her lips slightly pursed, while Eloise glanced curiously at Ryse, as if trying to understand who she was to dare speak to Nigel like that.

A knot formed in Ryse's stomach. She felt her fingers tighten slightly before closing in on themselves.

But before she could pull away or say anything, Nigel abruptly brought a hand to her throat.

Her expression changed instantly. His face contorted with sudden pain, and a violent shudder ran through his entire body. He took a step back, then another, his ragged breath echoing in the room. A wave of nausea washed over him, as if an unbearable stench had assaulted him. His features twisted into a grimace of pure revulsion, and the next moment, he whirled on his heels and bolted for the front door.

"Nigel!" cried Eloise, her voice thick with worry.

"My son, what is it?!" exclaimed Mrs. Harris, rushing after him. Ryse froze, her heart pounding in her chest.

She had just witnessed something she didn't understand. Had Nigel just… rejected her with such force that her own body had reacted?

No… it couldn’t be.

And yet, the image was there, etched beneath her eyelids.

That horrified look, that retching, that hasty flight as if his presence were unbearable.

Ryse felt a strange heat rising to her face. Not shame. Not anger. Just… profound incomprehension.

The raised voices of Mrs. Harris and Eloise were already fading outside as they chased Nigel, their hurried footsteps echoing on the cobblestones.

Ryse, however, stayed back.

The chill that seeped into her had nothing to do with the ambient temperature.

Something had just broken.

And she didn’t yet know how much it would change her life. The evening air was cooler outside, but it didn't seem to calm the violent nausea that was gripping Nigel. He had barely stepped away from the house when he collapsed against one of the porch pillars, gasping for breath, his hand clutching his throat as if he were trying to expel some invisible poison. A violent coughing fit shook him before his stomach churned completely. In an uncontrollable spasm, he leaned forward and vomited.

Behind him, hurried footsteps echoed on the cobblestones.

“Nigel!” Eloise cried, running to his side.

Mrs. Harris arrived right after her, her face etched with worry. “My son, what’s wrong?!” But Nigel couldn’t answer. His body betrayed him, rejecting him with an intensity he didn’t understand. He gritted his teeth, trying to regain control, but the smell… that unbearable smell still seemed to linger in the air, clinging to him like a curse.

Eloise placed a hand on his back, stroking him gently to soothe him. But when she spoke, her voice trembled with frustration.

“He can’t stand the smell of pheromones…” She paused before turning a furious glance at Mrs. Harris. “That girl did it on purpose!” "She deliberately released her pheromones to provoke him!" Mrs. Harris froze. "What are you talking about, Eloise?" Eloise gritted her teeth, her gaze burning with barely concealed jealousy. "Ryse. She knows perfectly well what she is. And she knows what she's doing. She waited until he was here to spread her scent and make him sick. She wants to manipulate him!" Nigel, still on his knees, raised his head slightly at these words. His eyes, clouded by pain and confusion, took on a cold gleam. "Manipulation. Was it possible?" "No... Impossible. Ryse was just a maid, an insignificant omega. But then why... why was his body reacting like this?" He tried to sit up, one hand on his forehead, his breath still ragged. Eloise took the opportunity to tighten her grip on him, her presence gentle yet oppressive.

"I warned you, Nigel… Omegas can be dangerous if they know how to use their pheromones. It's their only weapon."