Heather rolled her suitcases toward the entrance, her movents deliberate and steady. She had packed everything. Her belongings. Alex’s, too. Marcus, ever reliable, helped carry the heavier bags, moving in stride beside her as maids carefully transferred everything into the house.
"Mrs. Thorne, where do you want this to go?" One of them asked, pausing beside her.
Heather exhaled, barely glancing up. "Take it to my room. It’s on the second floor." She was exhausted. So she only sighed.
The maid hesitated. Aren’t you going to move into the master’s bedroom?"
Heather barely reacted. "No."
There was a slight pause. A shift in the maid’s expression, confusion, sothing bordering on hesitation.
Heather caught it instantly. "What?"
The woman straightened, shaking her head slightly before attempting to roll the suitcase away. "Um," she finally murmured, "usually, the wife of the master stays in the master’s bedroom."
Heather forced a smile. "Of course."
The maid still looked puzzled as she moved away, casting another glance back before disappearing.
Heather sighed. Even though she was married to Caius, she still had to convince others it was real. And the stress of it was already sinking in.
Heather felt like distracting herself, her phone chid, she checked her phone. Her stomach sank. Fans online were brutal. Headlines flooded her screen, bold letters cutting into her reality:
[Miss Heather, more like Mrs. Thorne—from D-list to F-list.]
[Getting canceled: #MrsHeather #Old]
[Miss H’s stars turning to baby factory.]
[Family cos before a fall.]
Heather inhaled sharply, scrolling. Her agency had been scrambling all week, doing everything they could to contain the rumors. They didn’t want people to know she was married. And Heather didn’t want them to know either. In the entertainnt industry, staying single ant staying relevant. And for won—it ant staying desirable. Marriage shattered the illusion.
n idolized female stars until they were no longer obtainable, then they turned on them. Yet, the dia refused to let it go. If anything, it made her more famous. Her silence only fueled the obsession.
And now, tickets for her movie premiere had sold out in record ti. Just because people wanted to see her.
The thought made Heather feel... sothing close to satisfaction. At least her career was still intact. And offers were still flooding in. Even more productions had reached out, asking her agency to join their latest films. The controversy only made her bigger.
Heather heard Alex’s voice from the entrance.
"Daddy, where is my room?"
She turned slightly. Alex had just stepped inside, his small feet tapping against the hardwood floors. Caius walked beside him, holding his tiny hand gently as they moved through the space.
"Adams will show you to your room." Caius spoke smoothly. "You’re the young master now."
The butler stepped forward, nodding before taking Alex’s hand. Heather observed her son carefully. He looked brighter with each passing day. Almost glowing. It had been weeks since the hospital. And yet—she hadn’t talked to him about the lie. Every ti she tried, she lost the words.
Caius moved closer. "Adonis is staying with us."
Heather stiffened. "I thought you said he had his own life."
Caius sighed. "My father says Adonis is a Thorne. And despite what happened the other day, he has every right to inherit everything if I’m useless."
Heather scoffed. "Adonis still believes we’re unhappy?"
"Yes. And now, he’s out to prove it."
Heather rolled her eyes. "I don’t care about your family’s power struggle. Like I said, I’m only doing this for Alex. So don’t expect to pretend I care about you. I don’t."
Caius smirked. "Alex’s future depends on how you act toward ."
Heather narrowed her eyes. I am well-established. I can take care of my son’s future."
Would you rather he start from scratch or inherit generational wealth and power?"
Heather exhaled sharply. She knew he was right. Her own family na was powerful, but now that she wasn’t part of that world anymore, she had no generational power. All she had was herself—Miss H—but that na had only just begun climbing upward.
Caius smiled slightly. "I’m just saying, you need as much as I need you."
Heather glared at him. I don’t need you."
You don’t have to admit it."
Heather didn’t respond. Caius glanced briefly toward the staff moving throughout the house. "Even the maids are suspects." His voice was lower now, more serious. "My father might be testing us."
Heather frowned. "Testing us how?"
Adonis planted an idea in his mind."
"Despite how stupid he looked," Caius muttered, "he left sothing in Gerald’s head the other night. And now, my father is watching."
Heather felt the weight of those words settle. But she didn’t respond.
Caius exhaled. "Co. I’ll show you our room."
Inside the master’s bedroom, Heather imdiately noticed the king-sized bed. She had worried about sharing a bed with him. But now, she saw that the size gave them distance. She had already begun ntally stacking pillows in her head. A firm divider between his side and hers. Caius sat comfortably on the bed. "You don’t need a tour, right?"
Heather shook her head.
"Do you need a ring?"
Heather glanced toward the mirror near the corner. A fancy jewelry drawer sat beneath it. There were already diamond rings inside, probably Tara’s.
"I already have a ring," Heather said.
Caius tilted his head. "You kept your wedding ring?"
"No." Heather exhaled. *"The diamond ring from the other day."
Caius furrowed his brows. "I got you a ring?"
Heather scoffed. "You followed to the diamond store. You told the clerk to bring a ring, saying it would look good on . And it was already paid for."
Caius blinked, shaking his head slightly. "I never went to a diamond shop with you."
Heather laughed. "You’re joking."
"I’m not." Caius’s expression was serious.
Heather’s face fell into confusion. So who had followed her that day? The man had worn a grey suit, just like Caius did when she t him at Sullivan’s house.
"But the grey suit..."
"A lot of n wear grey suits. It’s the next choice to black."
Heather ran a hand through her hair. She had been so sure it was him. Only to find out it wasn’t. She bit her lip. Who had bought her that ring? And why?
She inhaled deeply. "Maybe I shouldn’t think about it."
Caius smirked slightly, leaning back against the dresser. "I did buy a diamond ring for my wife, you know. Though, back then, I wasn’t sure if she’d actually wear it."
Heather narrowed her eyes. "You’re an asshole."
Caius laughed.
Heather scoffed, but she couldn’t help but smile. "I knew you followed and tricked . You’re unbelievable."
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