Chapter 5

Megan was lifted into the car by Caspian. He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head. "Meg, this was Cedric's doing. He was upset about the private video you sent Arianna that pressured her to jump into the sea. I've already argued with him, and he said this ends here. He won't come after you again." Megan's body trembled, her teeth rattling. When Caspian's words finally sank in, a small wave of relief washed over her. She looked at him with wide, fearful eyes, like someone who had just woken up from a nightmare. Caspian felt a sudden tightness in his chest. "Meg, I know you suffered, but Cedric didn't actually hurt you. If you keep holding onto this, you'll just make yourself seem small and petty." Megan's heart ached until it went numb, and in that pain, a strange calm settled over her. "Alright. I get it." She let it go. She couldn't fight him, so she chose to leave him. That night, Megan ran a high fever, and she shivered uncontrollably. Sweat soaked the sheets as the day's horrors replayed relentlessly in her dreams, trapping her in a nightmare she couldn't escape. After jerking awake once again, she forced herself to her feet and went downstairs for water, only to overhear Caspian and Arianna talking in the next room. "Caspian, you were so kind to me," Ariana said sweetly. "You knew I was upset about the video, so you had someone take Megan's private photos to get revenge for me. But if she ever finds out, won't she be devastated?" "That's none of my concern," Caspian replied with a cold edge to his voice. "She brought it on herself when she smashed the tiara and made you upset." Tears burned Megan's eyes as she rushed back to her room. She had trusted Caspian, thinking Cedric was behind all her pain. She never imagined he would deceive her again. The next day, Caspian insisted on taking her to an auction. "I had the tiara repaired and gave it to Arianna, so I'll buy you a few pieces to make up for it," he said. Megan had no desire to go. She didn't want anything from Caspian, and certainly not his gifts. Still, he left her no choice. He pulled her into the car and drove her to the auction. … The auction took place at Lordshire's most prestigious hotel. The place was filled with the city's elite. Dressed in a designer gown with her black hair cascading over her shoulders, Arianna looked especially graceful and captivating. When her eyes met Megan's, a hint of mockery flashed through them, but her voice remained sweet. "Megan, just tell me if there's anything you want. I'll buy it all for you as compensation." People nearby whispered among themselves. "Ari, what happened to your sister that you need to compensate her?" "Ari is way too generous. I wish I had a sister like her." "All of it? Ari, are you trying to ruin us?" Arianna's laugh tinkled like silver bells. "My sister was so helpless yesterday. A few men captured her and dragged her into a private club…" She hurriedly covered her mouth, acting as if she had misspoken. "Oh, did I say too much? Ignore that—I was just joking." Her explanation only made things worse, and all eyes turned to Megan with suspicion and scrutiny. Megan couldn't stand it any longer. She turned and hurried away. Suddenly, a hand shot out and grabbed her shoulder, yanking her back. It was Caspian. Seeing her pale and distressed, his heart softened for a fleeting moment. However, the memory of Arianna crying helplessly quickly snuffed out any trace of tenderness. "Meg, Arianna didn't mean anything by that. Who are you mad at? Do you even realize how it looks for her when you storm off like that?" Megan let out a bitter laugh, clutching her chest. "And what about me? Am I just supposed to stand there while everyone stares and gossips?" Caspian's words caught in his throat. "They don't know the truth and haven't seen the photos. What's the big deal if they just glance at you? Megan, stop being so petty." Tears streamed down her face, and she laughed bitterly. "Petty? Caspian, can't you be any harsher?" Caspian's expression darkened. "I'm not going to stop you if you want to walk away, but you know how vindictive Cedric is. If you make Arianna cry again, he'll spread your private photos and humiliate you in front of everyone. Think carefully before you act." When she met his cold, unyielding eyes, shame and exhaustion crashed over her. She had no choice but to walk back into the auction hall.