Chapter 3

The morning of Grandma Rose's 80th birthday, I arrived early to help set up.

I'd chosen a simple emerald dress — elegant but modest. No need to compete. This was Grandma's day.

But the moment I stepped into the grand hall, I stopped cold.

Every decoration — the floral arrangements, the color scheme, the table settings — was my design. I'd spent weeks planning this party with the event coordinator, ensuring every detail matched Grandma's taste.

Now, a massive banner hung above the stage:

"Happy 80th Birthday, Grandma Rose — With Love, Amber"

My sister had put her name on my work.

Amber appeared beside me in a red silk gown, her arm looped through Callum's.

"Sister! Do you like the decorations? I stayed up all night working on them." She beamed at Callum. "Didn't I do a good job, babe?"

Callum glanced around and nodded approvingly. "Impressive. You have real taste, Amber."

My nails dug into my palms.

The event coordinator, Helen, caught my eye from across the room. She looked mortified, mouthing: "I'm so sorry."

I shook my head slightly. Not now.

Guests began arriving — business partners, socialite families, pack elders. They all greeted Callum and Amber, who stood at the entrance like the host couple.

No one looked for me.

I slipped through the crowd to Grandma's side.

"You did all of this." Grandma said it as a statement, not a question. She glanced at the banner and her expression soured. "That girl's got the same nerve as a fox in a henhouse."

"It doesn't matter, Grandma. Today is about you."

"It matters." Grandma squeezed my hand. "But fine. I'll play nice. For now."

During dinner, Amber stood up and clinked her glass.

"I'd like to make a toast to the most wonderful woman I know. Grandma Rose, you welcomed me like family even though I'm not your granddaughter-in-law — yet."

She giggled, and the guests laughed warmly.

"I promise to take care of Callum and this family with all my heart."

Applause rippled through the hall.

Callum watched Amber with an expression I'd never seen directed at me — open admiration.

Under the table, my hand trembled.

Grandma suddenly stood up.

The room fell silent. When Rose Hale stood, people listened.

"Thank you all for coming. Eighty years is a long time to be alive, and I've learned to spot two things with perfect accuracy — genuine love and cheap imitation."

Her gaze swept the room, lingering on Amber for just a heartbeat.

"Tonight, I have an announcement."

Callum straightened, alert.

Grandma placed her hand on my shoulder.

"Seren has been the heart of this family for three years. Every holiday dinner she planned. Every hospital night she sat beside me. Every morning she made sure this old woman had her tea exactly right."

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

"So I've decided to transfer 30% of Hale Group shares — my personal holdings — to Seren. Effective immediately."

The silence was deafening.

Callum shot to his feet. "Grandma, you can't—"

"I can, and I did. My shares, my choice." Grandma's voice was iron. "Sit down, Callum."

Amber's face went white.

The guests erupted into whispers. Thirty percent of Hale Group was worth billions. It made me one of the single largest shareholders — even above Callum.

I turned to Grandma, stunned. "I can't accept this."

"You can and you will." Grandma's eyes softened. "Consider it your severance pay. God knows you earned it."

Amber's wine glass shattered on the floor.

"This is insane!" She turned to Callum, her voice climbing. "She's manipulating your grandmother! Can't you see?!"

Callum's jaw clenched. He looked at me — really looked at me — for the first time in months.

But his eyes didn't hold gratitude or realization.

They held suspicion.

"Seren," he said slowly. "Did you ask Grandma for this?"

The accusation hit me like a slap.

Before I could respond, Grandma slammed her cane on the floor.

"One more word from either of you," she pointed at Callum and Amber, "and I'll transfer the remaining 20% to her as well."

Callum's mouth snapped shut.

I stood up, my voice steady despite the storm inside me.

"I don't want your shares, Grandma. I never wanted anything from this family except to be treated like I belonged."

I looked at Callum.

"But I never did. Did I?"

Then I walked out of the banquet hall, leaving the gasps and chaos behind me.

My phone buzzed in my clutch.

A message from an unsaved number — one I hadn't seen in five years:

[I heard you're finally free. Come to Milan. Your office is ready. — L.V.]

My heart hammered.

Luca Valenti. The man I'd almost married before fate — and my mother's illness — pushed me into Callum Hale's contract.

The man who once told me: "I'll wait. However long it takes."

I pressed my hand against my stomach, feeling the faintest flutter.

Then I typed: [I'll be there in two weeks.]