Chapter 2

Ciel Etrama stood in front of the boutique’s tall mirrors, inspecting the wedding dress samples she’d chosen. She adjusted the hem of one and smiled faintly, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Nearly everything about the wedding preparation had fallen on her shoulders. Alexander was too busy, or so he claimed.

“When is Xander going to join you for this?” Yuri, her older brother, asked as he carried his sleepy son, Seb.

Ciel approached him with a soft smile, taking Seb into her arms. “Xander’s got a lot on his plate. I’d rather he focus on work for now. I can handle this myself,” she said lightly, avoiding her brother’s sharp gaze. She didn’t want to admit the truth—that her relationship with Alexander had grown cold and distant.

Yuri didn’t buy it. “Ciel, tell me the truth,” he said seriously, his tone firm.

The forced smile on her lips faltered, but she quickly masked her pain. “He has a big client today and an important meeting after that. You know how dedicated he is to his career,” she lied, trying to sound convincing.

“Yuri, stop pressing her,” Sebastian, their eldest brother, interjected from where he sat flipping through a magazine in the boutique’s corner. “What matters right now is making sure everything is ready for her wedding.”

“See? Sebastian understands me,” Ciel said, trying to keep her tone light as she kissed Seb’s forehead.

Yuri sighed, concern etched across his face as he watched his sister. “Ciel, we’re family. I know how much you love him, but if it ever gets to a point where things fall apart… just remember, we’ll always be here for you.”

Her chest tightened at her brother’s words, and for a moment, she felt the dam of her emotions crack. She hugged him tightly, whispering, “Thank you.”

After the boutique staff finished wrapping up her purchases, Yuri and Sebastian decided to leave with Seb. “We’ll head out first. Seb’s asleep, and we don’t want to wake him,” Sebastian said, taking his son from her arms.

“Be careful on your way home,” Ciel said, watching her brothers leave.

Once alone, Ciel drove back to the mansion she shared with Alexander. The house was quiet and empty. Her parents were living temporarily in Malta, and her siblings had their own families now. Ciel often wondered if their lives were as perfect as they seemed. Both her brothers had endured heartbreak before finding happiness, and she had clung to the hope that her own love story would follow a similar arc.

But that hope was beginning to crumble.

After putting away her shopping bags, Ciel stepped into the kitchen. Baking was her solace, and the familiar rhythm of measuring ingredients and kneading dough always brought her some peace. But today, she couldn’t bring herself to bake. Instead, she found herself pacing in the living room, her thoughts a whirlwind.

Finally, she decided to surprise Alexander at his office. Maybe, just maybe, she could rekindle what they’d lost. She brewed his favorite espresso, changed into a simple yet elegant outfit, and drove to his office building.

With the coffee in hand, she knocked softly on his office door but received no answer. Frowning, she let herself in, only to be met with an unfamiliar scent that made her stomach twist. It was a mix of Alexander’s pheromones and someone else’s—someone she didn’t recognize.

Her heart raced as she walked toward the adjoining rest area, her heels clicking softly against the floor. The muffled voices on the other side of the door made her blood run cold.

“Oh! Harder, Xander!”

“I love you, Katrina,” Alexander’s voice said.

Ciel pushed the door open. She didn’t need to see more to confirm what her senses had already told her. Alexander was naked, his body tangled with a woman’s—a beautiful omega whose mocking gaze met Ciel’s the moment she entered.

“Love!” Alexander scrambled to cover himself with a pillow, his expression one of panic.

Ciel forced a smile, though her hands trembled. “What a lovely sight,” she said, her voice trembling with suppressed fury. “How does it feel, Xander? Cheating on your fiancée with a stripper omega?”

Alexander stammered, but before he could speak, Ciel’s attention shifted to the woman. “And you,” she said, picking up the woman’s purse and pulling out a business card. “A VIP stripper. Of course.”

Katrina smirked, her voice dripping with venom. “Maybe if you were better in bed, Alexander wouldn’t need me to satisfy him.”

The words struck like a slap, but Ciel didn’t let her pain show. Instead, she poured the hot coffee she’d brought onto both of them. Alexander cried out, and Katrina shrieked, but Ciel remained stoic.

“The wedding is off,” she said coldly, slapping both of them before walking out.

It wasn’t until she was alone in the elevator that her façade cracked. Her tears came in torrents, and she clutched her chest as if trying to hold herself together. How long had he been lying to her? How long had she been a fool?

That night, instead of going home, she found herself at the same exclusive nightclub where she’d first met Simon. The memory of his golden eyes and intoxicating presence came rushing back as she downed drink after drink, desperate to numb the pain.

When Simon appeared again, she didn’t push him away. This time, she kissed him deliberately, needing to forget. And when they stumbled into a private suite, the heat between them burned away everything else.

But the next morning, reality hit hard.

Ciel woke to the sight of Simon, his sculpted body illuminated by the soft morning light. He was lying beside her, his golden eyes still closed in sleep. Her gaze trailed downward, and she quickly looked away, cheeks flushing crimson as memories of the night before flooded back.

“Oh my god,” she whispered, her hands flying to cover her mouth.

This was Simon de Raizel—her brother-in-law’s older brother.

“What did I do last night?” she whispered to herself, panic gripping her chest.

As Simon stirred and opened his eyes, the events of the night began to replay in her mind. The drinks. The kiss. The way he’d made her forget everything about Alexander.

“Morning,” Simon said, his voice low and rough with sleep, a small smirk playing on his lips.

Ciel groaned, burying her face in her hands. She had no idea how she was going to explain this to herself—or to him.

Ciel’s mind raced as Simon’s amused voice broke the silence of the room. “Rough night?” he teased, leaning back on the pillows, his golden eyes watching her every move.

“Simon,” Ciel croaked, her voice barely above a whisper. “What… what did we—” She couldn’t even finish the question, the memories of their heated night flashing vividly in her mind.

He raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Do you really want me to describe it?” His teasing tone only made her cheeks flush deeper.

“No!” she blurted, sitting up and clutching the sheets to her chest. “I mean… no, I remember. Oh god, I remember.” She buried her face in her hands, the reality of the situation hitting her like a freight train.

Simon chuckled softly, his tone growing a little more serious. “Relax, Ciel. It wasn’t a mistake. At least, not for me.”

She froze, peeking at him through her fingers. His words caught her off guard, and she didn’t know how to respond. Instead of pressing her, Simon swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood, completely unbothered by his state of undress.

“Where are you going?” she asked, her voice still shaky.

“To get us some coffee,” he said, grabbing his pants from the floor. “Unless you’d rather have something stronger. You look like you could use it.”

Ciel stared at him, her emotions swirling. Embarrassment, guilt, anger, and—much to her dismay—an undeniable attraction to the man standing before her. She couldn’t believe herself. She had just ended her engagement hours ago, and now she was here, tangled in Simon’s sheets.

As Simon left the room, she scrambled to gather her clothes, her mind racing. She needed to get out of there before things became even more complicated. But just as she finished dressing, Simon returned with two cups of coffee.

“Running off already?” he asked, handing her one of the cups.

She hesitated, her fingers curling around the warm mug. “Simon, last night was… it was a mistake. I was drunk and upset, and—”

“And you needed someone,” he finished for her, his voice surprisingly gentle. “I know. But I don’t regret it, Ciel. Not a single second.”

His words made her chest tighten, and she looked away, unable to meet his piercing gaze. “I just… I need time to figure things out,” she said softly.

“Take all the time you need,” Simon replied, his tone calm but firm. “But know this—I’m not Alexander. I’m not going to lie to you or betray you. When you’re ready, I’ll be here.”

Ciel’s heart ached at his sincerity, but she couldn’t afford to think about that now. She needed space. Without another word, she placed the coffee cup on the nightstand and left the room.

As she stepped out of the hotel and into the crisp morning air, her phone buzzed in her pocket. Pulling it out, she saw a message from Yuri.

Yuri: I don’t know what happened, but I’m here if you need me. Always.

Tears welled in her eyes as she read the message. She couldn’t face her brothers yet—not like this. Instead, she headed to her café, needing the familiarity of her kitchen to ground her.

Later that Day

Ciel had thrown herself into her work, the aroma of freshly baked pastries filling the air as she prepared the day’s orders. The steady rhythm of baking calmed her frayed nerves, but her mind kept drifting back to Simon.

And Alexander.

The thought of him made her stomach churn. She hadn’t told anyone about what she’d witnessed in his office. How could she? The shame of being cheated on, of almost marrying someone so unworthy, was too much to bear.

The sound of the café door opening pulled her from her thoughts. She glanced up, her breath catching when she saw Simon standing there, his golden eyes locked onto hers.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice sharper than she intended.

Simon didn’t flinch. Instead, he stepped closer, his presence commanding the small space. “I needed to see you. To make sure you’re okay.”

Ciel’s hands tightened around the edge of the counter. “I’m fine,” she said quickly, though her voice wavered.

“You’re not fine,” Simon said, his tone soft but unyielding. “And that’s okay, Ciel. You don’t have to be fine right now.”

Her resolve cracked at his words, and before she knew it, tears were streaming down her face. Simon crossed the counter in two strides, pulling her into his arms.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Ciel allowed herself to cry—not just for what she’d lost, but for everything she’d endured. And as Simon held her, murmuring soothing words, she realized that maybe, just maybe, she didn’t have to face this alone.

Simon held her for what felt like hours, his strong arms a steady anchor amidst her emotional storm. When her sobs finally subsided, Ciel pulled back slightly, wiping at her tear-streaked cheeks with the back of her hand.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. “You shouldn’t have to see me like this.”

“Don’t apologize,” Simon said firmly, his golden eyes locking onto hers. “You’re allowed to break down, Ciel. You’ve been carrying too much for too long.”

His words hit her like a wave, and for the first time, she felt the full weight of everything she had been trying to suppress. She took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to steady herself.

Simon’s gaze softened. “Have you eaten today?” he asked, his tone gentle.

Ciel blinked at the sudden change in topic. “I—no. I’ve been too busy,” she admitted.

Without another word, Simon walked over to the display case filled with pastries. He grabbed a few items, placed them on a plate, and set it in front of her.

“Sit,” he instructed, pulling out a chair at one of the small café tables. “You’re not leaving this spot until you’ve eaten something.”

Ciel opened her mouth to protest but stopped when she saw the look on his face. It wasn’t just concern—it was care. Reluctantly, she sat down and picked at a croissant, taking small bites as Simon watched her like a hawk.

“Happy now?” she asked after a few bites, trying to inject some humor into the heavy atmosphere.

“Getting there,” Simon replied with a smirk. He leaned back in his chair, his presence somehow filling the entire café. “But you’re going to need more than pastries to get your strength back.”

She rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips despite herself. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt a flicker of something close to comfort.

The sound of the café door jingling interrupted the moment. Ciel looked up, her stomach dropping when she saw Alexander standing in the doorway. His expression was a mix of anger and desperation, and his sharp blue eyes immediately zeroed in on her.

“Ciel,” Alexander said, his voice tight. “We need to talk.”