Chapter 2

Kaden's cold eyes landed on Harlow, filled with disgust.

"What do you think you're doing?" he snarled.

Harlow looked from her bleeding leg to Kaden cradling Brittaney as if she were a fragile doll. A dull ache spread through her chest, more painful than any physical wound.

She fought to keep her voice steady. "She tried to hit me."

"Kaden!" Brittaney sobbed, burying her face in his chest. "She tried to hurt Princess! She kicked my poor baby for no reason!"

Kaden's brow furrowed, his gaze turning to ice. "Why would you attack a helpless animal, Harlow? You know how much Brittaney loves that dog."

A tear of pure frustration and despair slid down Harlow's cheek. "You didn't see! The dog bit me first! Look at my leg!"

The combination of blood loss and the searing pain in her back finally overwhelmed her. Her legs gave out, and she slid down the wall, collapsing in a heap on the floor.

For a brief second, Kaden's eyes flickered to the gash on her calf, and a muscle in his jaw twitched. His tone softened almost imperceptibly.

"Let's get that cleaned up."

But Brittaney immediately tightened her grip on him, her sobs growing more frantic. "No! Kaden, she hurt Princess! My poor baby is traumatized!"

Kaden's momentary concern for Harlow vanished. He stroked Brittaney's hair, his voice dripping with affection. "There, there. What do you want me to do, my love?"

Brittaney lifted her tear-streaked face, her eyes filled with venom as she looked at Harlow. "I want her to apologize. To Princess."

Kaden looked back at Harlow on the floor, his expression hardening again. "You heard her. Apologize to the dog, and we can put this behind us."

Harlow let out a weak, bitter laugh. In his eyes, her pain, her blood, her dignity-it was all worth less than a spoiled dog.

Her face was pale, but her voice was resolute. "No."

"What did you say?" Kaden's voice dropped, taking on a dangerous edge.

"I said no," Harlow repeated, trembling but defiant. "I did nothing wrong."

Brittaney let out a theatrical gasp and began to shake in Kaden's arms.

Kaden's patience snapped. "Do you dare to disobey me?" he thundered.

Harlow stared at him, her heart a block of ice. She remembered every time she had complied, every time she had swallowed her pride, hoping for a crumb of kindness that never came. It had gotten her nothing.

"I am still the lady of this house, am I not?" she challenged, her voice barely a whisper. "Or is that title as fake as our marriage certificate?"

Kaden went still, his eyes narrowing. Then a cruel smile touched his lips. "Don't you dare pull rank on me, Harlow. It won't work."

He took a step closer, towering over her. "Apologize. Now. Or I'll make you."

Harlow looked at his handsome, merciless face and felt a wave of revulsion. He was willing to humiliate her to this extent for a dog, for Brittaney.

Slowly, painfully, she pushed herself to her feet, clinging to the banister for support. She met his gaze, her own eyes filled with a mixture of pain and pity. Pity for this powerful man who was so emotionally stunted, so completely owned by his own cruelty.

"Never," she said.

Kaden's face contorted with rage. "Guards!" he bellowed. "Take her to the courtyard. Make her kneel. She will stay there until she is ready to apologize."

Two stone-faced guards appeared instantly. As they grabbed her arms, Brittaney, no longer crying, shot Harlow a triumphant, mocking smirk.

"Kaden," Harlow called out, her voice raspy, as the guards began to drag her away.

He turned back, his expression cold and impatient. "What? Have you changed your mind?"

She wanted to scream at him that she was leaving, that his mother had already agreed, that soon he would be rid of her forever. But the words caught in her throat, choked by years of unshed tears and unspoken pain.

All she could manage was a single, desolate whisper. "You are a heartless man."

Kaden just scoffed, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. "Get her out of my sight."

He turned his back on her and walked away without a second glance.

Harlow watched him go, the guards' grip digging into her arms. She felt the sharp sting of her own nails digging into her palms.

It's almost over, she told herself. Just a little more, and you'll be free.