Chapter 2 Chapter 2

Nicholas looked at the unmade bed and hesitated before saying:

“I slept six hours last night. I didn't wake up in the middle of the night, nor did I have that nightmare.”

On the other end of the line, Luan was shocked.

“What?! Are you serious? That hasn't happened in years! What's going on there, Nick?”

Nicholas rubbed his temple, his voice hoarse and low.

“I wouldn't be calling you if I knew. Could it... have something to do with her?”

Luan paused for a moment, as if he was also trying to process it. “The woman who touched you... and you didn't feel repulsed?”

Nicholas was silent.

His friend's playful tone disappeared, giving way to seriousness.

“If you really think it might be because of her, then it's simple: go after that woman. Find out.”

Nicholas remained silent, his eyes fixed on a distant point, while Luan's voice echoed:

“Nick, I'm not joking. If it really is about her... then she could be your savior.”

The word vibrated in his mind. Savior. For twenty years, he had walked in a world of darkness. His sleep was always interrupted, his revulsion for any human contact driving him away from everyone. He believed he had learned to live like this. But now... after feeling warmth, after tasting a little light... how could he go back to the darkness?

If that woman was really his salvation, then there was no choice. He had to have her. Whatever the cost.

Nicholas picked up the phone again and ordered in a cold, sharp tone:

“Bratt, find out who the woman was in my room last night. Now.”

“Yes, President Wolf.”

Meanwhile, Caroline Ford walked wearily out of the hotel. Her body still ached, her mind was in tatters. Each step seemed to drag with it the weight of everything that had happened.

Her cell phone vibrated. She answered without thinking, and Claire's sweet, calculated voice came through on the other end.

“Sister... let's talk.”

Caroline clenched the phone in her hand, her eyes burning with rage.

“We have nothing to talk about.”

On the other end, Claire laughed softly. “Really? What if it's about... Sara?”

Caroline's heart raced.

“Sara?!” Her voice came out as a growl. “Claire, what are you talking about?”

But the other woman didn't answer. She just said calmly,

“I'll be waiting for you at the Hilton, sister.”

Caroline bit her lip until she tasted blood. Still, she went.

When she entered the reserved restaurant, Claire was already waiting for her. Beautiful, impeccable, perfect makeup, tight black dress, slightly curly hair, sweet and expensive perfume permeating the air. Everything about her exuded arrogance.

When she saw her, Claire smiled like a generous hostess.

“Come, sister. Sit down.”

Caroline stood still, staring at her coldly.

Claire, unconcerned by the tension, opened her purse and took out a check. She placed it gently on the table, as if offering a gift.

“Two million reais.” Her voice sounded sweet but poisonous. “Enough for you to live the rest of your life without worry.”

Caroline stared at the piece of paper without saying a word.

Claire's smile widened, laden with superiority.

“I know Sara's illness requires a lot of money. And you... with those mediocre jobs, you can barely support the two of you. It must be difficult, isn't it?” She tilted her head, her eyes shining with false compassion.

“But with this amount, you and Sara can live a little better.”

Silence hung heavy between them. Caroline felt her heart burn. Anger grew with each breath. That check wasn't just money. It was humiliation. It was Claire trying to buy her life... and her sister's.

“Sister, let's be honest with each other and not beat around the bush.” Claire's lips curved into a calculated smile as she placed her hand on her belly. "I believe you heard what I said last night. I'm pregnant with Edward's child, and I intend to keep this baby. But before that, you need to renounce your engagement to him. Otherwise, his child and I will never be officially recognized. You know Edward is about to take over the Collins family business. He can't make any mistakes or take any risks right now. So I expect you to go to the Collins family yourself and ask for the engagement to be annulled.

Caroline stared at her in silence. The brazen words didn't affect her as they had the night before. Perhaps because she had already cried and bled everything inside. Now, only emptiness remained.

An ironic laugh escaped her lips.

“Claire, does Edward Collins know everything you're doing here?”

The memory of the previous night burned in her mind. When Claire announced her pregnancy, Edward didn't seem happy. His look was one of shock, not joy. It was obvious that this child was an accident. And he, about to take over the family business, would never publicly reveal this relationship. It was dirty, shameful... and would tarnish his reputation.

In other words, Edward had no idea what Claire was up to now.

As expected, her expression changed in an instant. The calculated smile disappeared, giving way to a somber look. “Caroline, let it go. The person Edward loves is me. He hasn't felt anything for you in a long time. If it weren't for the commitment between our families since childhood, do you really think he would have chosen you? Does it make sense to cling to a man who never loved you?”

The words cut like knives, but Caroline didn't flinch. On the contrary, her calm seemed to grow in the face of the affront. A cold stare enveloped her like armor.

“This is between Edward and me. There's no room for interference from third parties like you.”

Claire's face darkened. Her mask of delicacy crumbled, revealing raw arrogance.

She bit her lip, her gaze cold. “In that case, are you saying you won't ask him to renounce the engagement?”

Caroline let out a wry laugh.

“If you came to see me just to talk about that, then I'm not interested.”

She turned to leave.

“Wait a minute!” Claire jumped up, grabbing her wrist tightly. “Caroline, how much money do you need to leave Edward? If two million isn't enough, how about ten? Don't be greedy! My offer is already enough for someone like you!”

Caroline could no longer contain herself. Her anger exploded. Her hand rose of its own accord and slapped her sister across the face.

The sharp sound echoed through the room.

A red mark appeared on Claire's delicate skin.

She was stunned, her eyes wide with disbelief. It took her a few seconds to react, but then her arm rose, ready to slap her back.

It was then that she saw a figure out of the corner of her eye.

She froze.

And in that instant, her expression changed.