Chapter Five

Arion held Caitlin’s hand tightly as they stepped out of the car. They paused for a moment in front of the grand McCallen estate, its towering pillars and elegant façade looming over them like silent judges. Their hearts beat rapidly, a rhythm of anxiety and anticipation echoing in their chests. Although they had prepared for this night as thoroughly as they could, both of them still felt a lingering unease.

“Are you ready?”

Arion looked at Caitlin with gentle intensity, his eyes scanning her face to ensure she was truly okay.

“I’m ready. We can go in now,” Caitlin replied, trying her best to sound confident.

Together, they walked up the stone steps, not wanting to keep Harriet waiting any longer than necessary.

“So good to see you again, Caitlin,” Harriet said warmly as she greeted them at the door. She leaned in and gave Caitlin a quick hug—brief and measured—before stepping back, her hands resting lightly on Caitlin’s shoulders for a second too long.

“Where’s Father?”

Arion asked, scanning the foyer for the familiar figure of his father.

“Your father is away on a business trip to Athens,” Harriet replied smoothly. “So tonight, you’ll be having dinner with just me.”

Before they could respond, a loud creak echoed through the hall as the front door swung open behind them, causing all heads to turn.

A woman strutted in with unshakable confidence, her high heels clicking against the pristine marble floor with deliberate rhythm. She wore a fiery red dress that clung to her figure, the neckline plunging boldly, and the slit up her thigh revealing long, smooth legs. Her golden hair cascaded down in voluminous curls that framed her perfectly painted face.

“Oh, I hope I’m not late,” she purred, her smile directed unmistakably at Arion.

“Alice,” Harriet said in mock surprise, her voice sweet but with a glint of calculation. “I thought you were arriving tomorrow.”

Alice Graham made her way toward them without hesitation. With practiced ease, she leaned in and kissed Arion on both cheeks, her movements overly familiar and tinged with flirtation.

“Of course not,” she said. “I wouldn’t dare miss an evening like this. Especially with Arion in attendance.”

Caitlin stiffened beside Arion. She watched the interaction closely, her lips tightening, though she said nothing.

Arion gave a polite but visibly uncomfortable smile. It was their first meeting, and yet Alice behaved as though they shared some secret past. He found her forwardness more irritating than flattering.

“Shall we have dinner now?” Harriet interrupted smoothly, gesturing toward the dining room.

As they walked toward the dining table, Harriet gave Alice a small, meaningful glance. Alice nodded almost imperceptibly, understanding the silent cue: sit next to Arion, keep Caitlin away.

Alice pulled out a chair for Arion and quickly claimed the seat beside him. Caitlin hesitated, watching the scene with quiet frustration, then took the seat directly across from Arion.

Dinner passed quickly but uncomfortably. Alice kept up a constant stream of conversation, laughing too loudly at Arion’s dry remarks and asking questions only he could answer. Caitlin remained silent for the most part, trying to hold her composure while feeling deliberately sidelined.

When dessert was cleared, Harriet dabbed her lips with a napkin and turned to Caitlin.

“Leave them be, Caitlin,” she said lightly. “I’d like to talk with you in my study.”

Caitlin followed Harriet down a long corridor, the heels of her shoes echoing on the hardwood floor. They stopped in front of a thick wooden door. Harriet opened it and stepped inside, motioning for Caitlin to follow.

“Please, have a seat.”

Once the door was shut behind them, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Harriet’s warm smile disappeared, replaced by a steely expression.

“You know, Caitlin,” she began, sitting behind her polished mahogany desk, “I’ve never liked surprises. And your relationship with Arion... well, it was certainly unexpected.”

Caitlin didn’t speak. She met Harriet’s gaze evenly, knowing full well this was no casual conversation.

“I know everything about you,” Harriet continued, her fingers drumming rhythmically on the desk. “Orphaned. Raised in a state-run orphanage. Briefly adopted by the Humphries family, who then tragically died in a car crash. No background. No connections. No influence. Nothing.”

Caitlin bit the inside of her cheek but kept her expression calm. She had been waiting for this confrontation.

“You went to great lengths,” Caitlin said quietly. “You could’ve just asked me, and I would’ve told you the truth myself.”

Harriet gave a small, tight-lipped smile.

“For Arion’s sake, and the reputation of our family business, I needed to be sure. We don’t accept women without pedigree.”

“I don’t believe Arion shares your point of view,” Caitlin responded evenly.

“In this household, Arion’s opinions are secondary,” Harriet replied. “He’s a son. Sons obey their mothers.”

She leaned forward slightly.

“My conclusion is simple: you’re not good enough for him. So I’m giving you a choice—leave, before you regret ever setting foot in this house.”

“You assume I’m here for approval,” Caitlin said softly. “But I don’t need it.”

Slowly, Caitlin opened her purse and pulled out a worn photograph. She placed it carefully on the desk, sliding it toward Harriet.

“Take a closer look.”

Harriet frowned and lowered her gaze to the photo. It showed a young dark-haired woman, unmistakably familiar, standing beside a smiling ten-year-old girl.

The color drained from Harriet’s face. Her hand reached out to grab the photo, but Caitlin was faster. She snatched it back and tucked it into her bag.

“You gave me that photo once,” Caitlin said. “Or have you forgotten?”

“That’s impossible,” Harriet whispered, shaking her head.

“You weren’t always Harriet,” Caitlin murmured. “We shared the same roof once. But you chose to leave me behind. For wealth. For power. For a name that wasn’t yours.”

Harriet sat frozen, her hands trembling slightly on the desk. Her usual composure cracked like thin ice under pressure.

“You…”

“I’m not easily erased, Harriet,” Caitlin said, standing slowly. “And if you try to push me out of Arion’s life, I won’t hesitate to tell the world that I am your daughter.”

A knock interrupted the silence. Arion stepped into the room, his eyes flicking between them.

“Is everything alright, Caitlin?” he asked, visibly concerned.

Caitlin turned and gave him a faint smile.

“There’s nothing to worry about,” she said gently. “We were just discussing our upcoming engagement. Isn’t that right, Harriet?”