EPISODE 120
The silence hung heavily, as if the air itself hesitated to move.
Ulysses stood beside me, his expression unreadable.}
“What’s happening here?” He asked calmly, repeating himself as he noticed that Catelyn and Veronica were still in seeing him enter.}
Veronica opened her mouth, the ugly frown she wore a moment ago morphing into a fawning smile.
“Ulysses, son, you’re here. I heard you were busy at the company, so I took the liberty of visiting. You see-“}
Ulysses raised a hand. Just that. A single movement and she immediately fell silent.}
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“I asked what happened here,” he repeated, this time glancing between the two women. “But it seems like it’s nothing important and you’re just here to see me. Now that you’ve seen me, then… Butler, please escort them out.”}]
Catelyn stepped forward, trying to regain her composure. “Ulysses! Wait, actually, we were just-“}
“You were just what? Harassing a guest in my home?” His voice sharpened.§
“What harassment? We were only talking!” Veronica snapped back quickly.”
Ulysses looked at her, one brow raised, clearly unconvinced. “Do you think I’m stupid? Do you think I couldn’t hear what you two were saying to Selene from the front door?“}
“That… I-” Veronica stammered.
“Are you still under the delusion that this is your house?” Ulysses asked.
She froze. Veronica’s jaw clenched, her face twitching at the insult.”
“You’re misunderstanding,” she said tightly. “We only came to speak with her because we were confused…because we thought-”
“You thought what? Do I need to remind you that you’re not even allowed to step into this house anymore?”
He didn’t raise his voice, but it echoed louder than a shout. His gaze narrowed as it landed on his mother.”
“Also, I don’t recall ever telling you that I was in a relationship with Catelyn.”
Veronica’s face paled. “Ulysses-“}
“You made an announcement without my consent. You scheduled believe it was true because it served your pride.”
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engagement party I never agreed to. And you let people
The words hit like a slap. Catelyn’s eyes glistened with disbelief.
”
“What do you mean, Ulysses? Didn’t you feel anything for me? We’ve been together for so long… didn’t you say you liked me?” Catelyn asked, her voice trembling with a mixture of hope and fear.
“I did say I liked you, but as a friend,” Ulysses clarified flatly. “I don’t want others to misunderstand. I’ve never dated you. I’ve never made any promises to you. And I don’t intend to marry someone I do not love.”
His voice was quiet but resolute. Then he looked directly at Catelyn, his tone softening though it remained firm.
“Catelyn… we’ve known each other since we were children. seen you as anything more than a sister.”
u know this better than anyone else. I’ve told you before. I’ve never
Catelyn’s lips parted, her expression wounded. “You used to come to my house every summer. Our families always said-“W “Yes. Our families assumed. But I never agreed. I never gave you false hope. And I won’t pretend now just to please anyone.” Veronica took a step forward. “She is the right choice, Ulysses. She was raised alongside you, she knows our ways…”
“And I don’t care about what you want,” Ulysses cut her off coldly. “You’ve brought women into my life for years, hoping to push your own agenda. You thought arranging my future behind my back would manipulate me into compliance. It never worked. And it never will.”
There was no hatred in his voice, just finality.
“I know exactly what this is, Mother. You want a daughter–in–law you can control. One who bears a name you approve of. But I won’t let you use my life to fix your own legacy.“}]
The silence that followed was deafening. Catelyn’s face slowly crumbled. Her lips quivered, but she didn’t speak. Veronica, however, stepped forward again.
“Ulysses, that woman-”
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is someone I invited into this house,” he interrupted coldly, “and will soon be its co–owner as my wife. She will remain here as long as she wants. I will not tolerate her being disrespected in her own home.“}
His own home. The words slipped out effortlessly but they made something stir in my chest.
Veronica looked at me then. Her fury had not abated, but she was no longer standing on solid ground. Her grip on control was crumbling fast.}}
“I want both of you out of this kitchen,” Ulysses said, turning to them. “And out of this house.”
Veronica didn’t move. “You’re choosing her over your mother?”
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EPISODE 12
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“I’m choosing to be decent, something you’ve conveniently forgotten. I’m treating you like this because I still consider you my mother. If I didn’t, I would’ve thrown you out long ago.”
The line was final. It rang through the room like a door slamming shut. Catelyn left first, her steps small and hollow. Veronica followed, her back stiff with pride.
When the door clicked shut behind them, I finally released the breath I had been holding. The silence that followed felt strange. My arms slowly dropped to my sides. Ulysses hadn’t moved.”
“I’m sorry,” he said.N
I looked up.N
“I didn’t know they would do that,” he continued. “I should’ve said something earlier. Clarified things. I didn’t expect them to go this far.“N
I shook my head lightly. “It’s fine.“}
“No, it’s not,” he said, stepping closer. “You’ve already been through so much, Selene. I wanted this place to be a sanctuary for you, not another battlefield.“”
I gave him a small smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. “You didn’t ask them to act like that.””
“It was my negligence. I always told them I wasn’t interested in their marriage plans. I was too soft before. But I’ll make sure they understand now that I’m serious.“}
There was regret in his voice, it was raw and unguarded. It softened something inside me.}
“You’re still here, after all,” he said, almost in a whisper. “I don’t want you running off again to find some other man.“}
His fierce, dominant presence as an alpha shifted. He seemed… aggrieved. Almost vulnerable in front of me. I couldn’t help but cover my mouth to stifle a laugh. But the room was too quiet, his heightened hearing as an Alpha picked up the sound immediately. He looked up at me, one brow raised.”
“Were you laughing at me?” he asked, a slight smile forming on his face.
I cleared my throat, trying to suppress the grin and appeared serious.
“No, I’m not,” I said, taking a deep breath. “Is everything at the company all right? You came back earlier than expected.”
“Everything’s fine. There weren’t any major issues. Besides,” he added, his voice softening, “I promised you I’d join you for dinner.”
He looked at me with eyes filled with gentle affection.
“And I never break my promises, especially not the ones I make for you.”
I looked at him and couldn’t stop my heart from skipping a beat.”
2/2
