Chapter 1 Chapter 1 How long will you keep pretending

"Back already?"

The man's voice was icy, each word sharp enough to sting.

Alexander Perkins sat poised at the center of the dark leather chesterfield, his expression carved from stone-cold, unreadable, and utterly imperious. The sheer force of his presence made it difficult for anyone to meet his gaze, as if the very air around him bent to his will.

On both sides, six maids in matching uniforms stood frozen, like they were waiting for a storm to hit.

"What, disappointed to see me?" Caitlin Jordan's eyes narrowed with amused disdain, a faint smirk tugging at her lips as cold sarcasm danced in her gaze.

"If you're trying this disappearing act again just to force my hand, Caitlin, I'll make sure the Jordans pay for it." Alexander's brow twitched slightly, but his voice stayed as detached as ever.

Caitlin casually ran her fingers through her long hair. "Let me remind you-I'm Mrs. Perkins now. The Jordans don't give me a single share of anything. Their mess? Not my problem. Anyway, I'm tired. Going to bed."

That kind of dismissal? Totally unheard of when it came to Alexander. His face darkened on the spot.

"Caitlin, do you even realize what you're doing? You went off the radar for five days. Not a word. And you think you don't owe me an explanation?"

She crossed her arms, giving him a sharp look. "Huh? An explanation? Am I your prisoner or something? Since when did every move I make require your approval?"

A flicker of shock crossed his face before it twisted into a scowl. What the hell had gotten into her?

Five days ago, this woman was all timid and careful, like she was terrified of making any noise, let alone standing up to him. Honestly, she was boring as hell.

If it wasn't for his grandmother choosing her as a daughter-in-law, he wouldn't have looked at her twice.

But now? She came back like a totally different person.

"What is this? Some kind of reverse psychology game?" His tone dipped into something darker.

Caitlin tilted her head, eyes brimming with ridicule. She spread her hands mockingly. "Alexander, in this dead-silent, soul-sucking house of yours, what game do you think is even worth playing? Or are you really so full of yourself that you think I'm dying to win your favor?"

She turned abruptly, her voluminous curls whipping out behind her like waves, strutting away without a second glance.

As she passed the maids lining either side, Caitlin stopped briefly, glanced around, and said, "Hey, can someone bring lunch to my room? I'm starving."

The maids exchanged nervous glances. With Mr. Perkins saying nothing, none of them dared to move.

Seeing this, Caitlin laughed under her breath, turned back, and shot him a mocking smile. "Seriously? The all-powerful Perkins family can't even spare a meal for their precious Mrs. Perkins? Anyone hears about this, they're gonna laugh till their teeth fall out."

Alexander's eyes narrowed dangerously, a sharp flicker slicing across Caitlin's flawless face, like he was trying to read what was really going on with her.

She kept her cool, covering up that emotional wave bubbling under the surface. Her eyes stayed locked on his-unshaken, proud.

The room fell into an eerie silence. The tension stretched on taut and unyielding, every second feeling like forever to the staff.

"Don't forget what day it is. You'd better behave."Alexander's gaze was sharp and cold, the kind that could freeze a person in place. He remembered clearly-every month on this day, Caitlin would be a mess of fear and anxiety. The maids said she'd usually start panicking the night before. But today? She looked like she couldn't care less. Maybe she even forgot.

People's personalities don't just do a 180 in a few days. He wasn't buying it.

Was this whole tough-girl act just for show?

Fine. Let's see how long she can keep it up.

"'Behave'?" Caitlin let out a light laugh, dark eyes narrowing with disgust.

She stood a bit on her toes so she could look him right in the eye. Her small, delicate face turned slightly as she said, her tone icy, "I used to be so well-behaved-tell me, what did that get me? Or better yet, why don't you explain exactly what kind of obedience it takes to please someone like you, Mr. Perkins?"

They were standing close enough that their breath mingled in the air.

No one noticed the way Alexander's Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

There was a new fragrance on her-something seductive and bold. He'd never smelled it on her before.

Interesting.

Now he really wanted to figure her out.

"So you do know your whole purpose is to please me. Here's a heads-up-don't play with fire."

His voice was cold, cutting through the room like a knife, sending a chill down everyone's spine.

Caitlin gave him a long look, then chuckled coldly. "Too late. I already struck the match."

Without another word, she turned and walked past him, tall and poised, leaving only her cold, proud silhouette behind.

Alexander's eyes darkened.

Caitlin had married into the family as a trade-her womb for investment to keep the Jordan Group afloat. She'd always known her role. Just the sight of him used to make her on edge.

Even when he ignored her, she kept trying-smiling nervously, eager to please, almost pathetically so.

The sad part? The more she tried, the more repulsed he was.

Her natural softness, paired with constant submission, made even the maids in the mansion treat her like a doormat.

But just moments ago, Alexander had seen something totally new in her eyes-

She was looking down on him.

Unbelievable.

Upstairs, Samantha Quin was touching her face in front of the mirror, a flash of hatred crossing her eyes.

She looked almost exactly like Caitlin-the same features, same face-but their personalities couldn't have been more different.

Maybe it was because they'd grown up in worlds that couldn't have been more different-separated by over twenty years of silence and distance.

One burned like wildfire-fierce, radiant, and impossible to hold back.

The other was like a still lake at dawn-quiet, thoughtful, and deeply serene.

And now? Just when she finally found her sister... Caitlin was gone.

Samantha wiped her tears, making a silent vow-she would make them pay for what they'd done.

Ethan Warren had been right. In front of Alexander, her sister hadn't even had a shred of dignity. Heck, in this entire mansion, even the maids walked all over her.

All because some astrologer claimed her birth date promised high fertility, her stepfather, Thomas Jordan, had packed her off to marry Alexander-a man whispered to fancy men and keep women at arm's length.

She was Mrs. Perkins on paper, but in reality? Just a walking baby machine.

Alexander wouldn't touch her, so Henrietta Perkins took out all her frustration on her instead.

That year had been hell-Caitlin endured nothing but cold stares and cruel treatment. Her life was a black hole with no hope in sight. No one knew just how much humiliation she'd gone through.

Samantha's eyes glinted as she gave a small, cold smile.

Caitlin, whatever they stole from you-I'll get it back. And those who hurt you? I'll make damn sure they suffer for it.