"You can't leave. We're expected to live here. My parents are moving out—my father's finally retired, so he's taking my mother somewhere warm. Lily, Lucy, and Lila are constantly traveling for work. This place is empty now."
Heather folded her arms, her tone sharpened. "You're not hearing me."
Caius remained calm, his posture relaxed. "I hear you perfectly. I'm just saying—it's not going to happen."
Heather gave a dry, incredulous laugh and shook her head. "I'm not leaving my career behind to play house. The agreement was clear—it was temporary. Until I left."
"You don't need to give up your career," he replied smoothly. "We could just make the arrangement permanent. A real marriage."
Heather's expression iced over. "I am not marrying you, Caius."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want to," she said, her tone final. "I don't want to be part of your world. And neither will Alex. Stay away from us—or I'll file a restraining order."
