The next morning, I woke up in the penthouse. Caspian was already at the breakfast table, reading the news on a tablet.
He looked up and smiled when he saw me. It wasn't a cold CEO smile; it was kind.
"How do you feel?" he asked.
"Better," I said. "But I have nothing to wear. These hospital clothes aren't exactly a 'Queen's' outfit."
Caspian stood up and buttoned his jacket. "That is exactly what we are fixing today. Get ready. We are going shopping."
We went to the Golden Plaza. It was the most expensive mall in the city. Usually, I only came here with my mother and Seraphina.
They would make me carry their bags while they bought $5,000 dresses. I was never allowed to buy anything for myself.
As we walked into a high-end boutique called Lumiere, the air felt different. Caspian walked beside me, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back.
Suddenly, I heard a high-pitched voice that made my blood run cold.
"Oh my god, Mother! Is that Elara?"
I turned around. Standing near a rack of silk gowns was my younger sister, Seraphina, and my mother, Odette. They both looked shocked.
Seraphina was wearing a pink dress and looking as "adorable" as ever, but her eyes were full of mean spirit.
My mother walked over, her face twisted in anger. "Elara! How dare you show your face here? Julian is looking for you! You should be at home begging for his forgiveness, not walking around a mall!"
Seraphina giggled, hiding her mouth with her hand. "Look at her, Mother. She looks like a mess. And who is this man? Is this the stranger from the hotel? Elara, have you no shame?"
I felt my heart start to race. My old habit was to look at the floor and apologize. But then, I felt Caspian's hand tighten slightly on my back. It reminded me that I wasn't alone anymore.
I stood up straight and looked my mother in the eye. "I am not going back to Julian. And you don't have the right to tell me what to do anymore. You disowned me, remember?"
Odette gasped. "You ungrateful girl! After everything we gave you!"
"You gave me a cage," I said clearly.
Seraphina stepped forward, looking at Caspian. She didn't recognize him yet because he was wearing sunglasses. She put on her "sweet" voice. "Sir, I don't know who you are, but my sister is very unstable. She's a runaway wife. You shouldn't be seen with her. It will ruin your reputation."
Caspian finally took off his sunglasses.
The moment his golden eyes were visible, the color drained from my mother's face.
Seraphina's mouth fell open.
"C-Caspian Valerius?" my mother whispered. Her voice was shaking.
Caspian didn't even look at them. He looked at the shop manager, who was running over to bow to him.
"Is this store open for everyone today?" Caspian asked the manager.
"Yes, Mr. Valerius! Of course!" the manager said, sweating.
"I don't like it," Caspian said coldly.
"It's too crowded with loud, rude people. I want to buy everything in this store for my fiancée, Elara. Close the doors. Throw everyone else out."
The manager didn't hesitate. He turned to my mother and Seraphina. "I'm sorry, ladies. You have to leave immediately. This store is now a private session for Mr. Valerius and Miss Belrose."
"What?" Seraphina screamed. "Do you know who we are? We are the Belrose family! We spend thousands here!"
"And I just spent millions," Caspian said, not even glancing at her.
"Leave. Now."
Security guards stepped forward and forced my mother and sister toward the exit. Seraphina looked like she was going to cry from the embarrassment. My mother was silent, her face white with fear. They had spent their whole lives trying to get close to a man like Caspian, and now he was treating them like trash because of me.
Once the doors were locked and the store was empty, Caspian turned to me. "Now, Elara. Pick anything you want. If you like the color, take ten of them. We are going to the Vladimir Gala tonight, and I want you to shine so bright that Julian goes blind."
I looked at the beautiful dresses. For the first time, I didn't have to look at the price tag. I didn't have to ask for permission.
I spent the next two hours trying on the finest silk and diamonds. Caspian sat on a sofa, watching me. Every time I came out in a new dress, he would nod and say, "Beautiful. We'll take it."
As I looked at myself in the mirror, wearing a midnight-blue gown that cost more than my father's car, I realized the old Elara was truly dead.
"Caspian," I said, looking at him through the mirror.
"Why are you doing so much for me?"
He stood up and walked over, standing behind me. He looked at my reflection with a serious expression. "Because ten years ago, you gave me the only kindness I had in this world. Now, I have the power to give you the world in return. And I'm going to enjoy watching you take it."
I realized then that this wasn't just a contract for him. It was a mission. And for the first time in my life, I felt like I was exactly where I belonged.
"Tonight at the gala," I said, a small smile appearing on my face.
"Julian and my parents will be there, won't they?"
"Yes," Caspian said, his eyes glowing.
"And they aren't going to know what hit them."