Chapter 2

"All right," Dad said. "Your mother and I will arrange everything."

When I got home, I quietly started packing. I didn't take much, just a few clothes, some personal things, and everything I actually cared about. As for the gifts Alaric had given me over the years, I didn't want any of them.

The expensive jewelry went into the trash first, followed by the limited-edition bags and the little handmade things he'd made for me himself. One after another, I threw them away without looking back I had just dropped the last gift inside when the door lock beeped.

I froze.

The door opened, and Alaric walked in. Alice followed behind him with their children.

My chest tightened.

So this was the family he'd hidden from me. His future Donna. His twin sons. His baby daughter. And now he was bringing them into our home.

Wasn't hearing about them once enough? Did I really have to see them too?

“Freya, this is Alice Richard. We grew up together, and she's just come back from abroad with the kids. They haven't found a proper place to stay yet, so they'll stay here for a few days.”

Alice smiled at me. She looked gentle and polite, but I could see the hatred hiding behind her eyes.

“Alice, this is Freya Jones, my girlfriend.”

One of the twins looked up at me. His face looked so much like Alaric's that my stomach twisted. He stared at me from head to toe, then sneered.

“Daddy, she's your girlfriend? I thought she was your maid. Pff! Why does she dress like that? She looks poor enough to sleep in the trash.”

His brother giggled, “Maybe she really is a maid! She looks ugly too. Daddy, did you pick her up from the street because you felt sorry for her?”

Alice immediately pretended to scold them. “Don't say things like that, sweetheart. That's rude.” She turned to me with a sweet smile. “I'm sorry, Freya. They're still young and don't know what they're saying. Please don't take it personally… This is actually my first time here, and I'm not familiar with everything yet. Could you show me where we'll be staying?”

I was about to answer when Alaric talked. “Freya, help them get settled, okay? I've got an important video conference later, so I need to prepare.”

My heart hurt, but my face stayed calm.

“Okay.”

I turned around and led Alice and the children to the guest room.

The moment the door closed, Alice's sweet smile disappeared. “These sheets aren't soft enough! And can you get me new towels and toiletress? These don't look very clean!”

I glanced at her.

She was already treating my home like hers.

I could've reminded her that she was a guest. I could've told her exactly who I was and what my family could do. But what was the point? I was leaving anyway.

So I swallowed everything and quietly replaced the sheets and towels.

Alice kept finding things to complain about, and I kept fixing them.

“Is there anything else?”

Alice smiled. “Actually, there is.”

She opened her suitcase and pulled out a pile of clothes, then shoved them into my arms. “Here you go. I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble by staying here. I don't really have anything to give you, but I don't wear these ugly clothes anymore. You can have them.”

I looked down.

Designer clothes. Old ones. Some were clearly worn, and a few looked several seasons out of date.

Alice smiled sweetly. “You're Ali's girlfriend, but you always dress so plainly and boring as fuck. Honestly, it makes him look bad. I heard your family isn't doing very well financially, so don't be embarrassed. These are used, but they're still designer pieces. You can wear them for a long time.”

I stared at the clothes in my arms, then looked at her.

For a second, I almost laughed.

She was giving me her leftovers and expecting me to thank her.

Did she really think I needed them?

“That's very generous of you, but you should keep them. Second-hand goods are better suited to the person who already owns them.”

Alice's face changed instantly. She clearly hadn't expected me to answer.

“Thanks anyway.”

Then I walked straight past her and left the room.

…

When I got back to the bedroom, Alaric returned not long after finishing his meeting.

The moment he walked in, he came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his chin against my shoulder. “Freya, don’t move for a while. Let me stay like this and recharge. I’m seriously exhausted after all those meetings today.”

In the past, I would've melted whenever he acted like this. The ruthless Alaric only showed this clingy, almost childish side when he was with me. He used to joke that I was his personal power bank, his safe place, and the one person he could never live without.

Back then, those words made me feel loved.

Now, they only sounded ridiculous.

He couldn't live without me? Then how did he manage to build a whole family with Alice?

I forced myself to stay calm, but my body had already gone stiff. Alaric noticed.

“What's wrong? Are you upset because I brought Alice and the kids here?” He stroked my cheek with his thumb. “Alice and I grew up together. Our families have known each other for years, and she came back from abroad with three children. Bringing the kids here was the least I could do. She shouldn't have to struggle alone after traveling all this way.” He leaned closer. “So don't overthink it, okay? You're the one I care about. Nothing has changed between us.”

Then he lowered his head and tried to kiss me. I instinctively turned away and pushed against his chest.

Before I could say anything, someone knocked on the door.

“Ali!” Alice's voice came from outside. “The baby won't stop crying! I've tried everything, but she just keeps crying. Can you please come and help me?”

Alaric frowned slightly, “I'll go check on her. I'll be right back.”

He released me and walked toward the door.