CHAPTER 112: WHO IS SHE?

The moment Violet returned upstairs, her thoughts became a whirlwind, centered on her family and, most of all, the staggering demand for 10 million. The amount was outrageous, but what shook her more was her father’s brazen threat if she refused to comply. The blatant disregard for her safety festered in her mind, igniting a deep-seated anger.

Even as she replayed the scene in her head, not one member of her family, not even her mother, had stood up to defend her. The memory stung. Furious, she collapsed onto the bed, burying her face into the soft sheets, her emotions churning.

She felt anxious, though the knowledge that Cain was aware of her true identity provided a sliver of comfort. Yet, the lingering question haunted her: What if Cain hadn’t known? The thought made her resentment toward her family—and especially her father—burn even hotter.

Discovering that she wasn’t their biological child had already been a heavy blow. But now, it was becoming increasingly clear that, while she had loved them wholeheartedly, they didn’t feel the same. She had been deluding herself into believing they were her family.

The urge to scream into the sheets overwhelmed her, but she resisted. Her mind raced as she tried to devise a plan to obtain such an enormous sum from Cain. Would he even help? she wondered bitterly. He says we’re dating, but that doesn’t obligate him to give me money, especially for my parents. The harder she thought about it, the more her head throbbed. There was no alternative—she would have to ask Cain for help.

Eventually, exhaustion took over, and her eyes grew heavy. She drifted off to sleep, only to wake a few hours later, rubbing the drowsiness from her eyes. The clock caught her attention, and she was startled to see it was already afternoon—around the time Cain usually returned.

Hastily, she showered and dressed, preparing herself mentally for the conversation she dreaded. As she prepared to step out of her room, she heard the sound of footsteps outside. Only a select few, including Cain, were permitted upstairs, so she felt confident about who it might be. Moving quickly, she opened her door and stepped out, her hands tightening around the handle.

Her eyes immediately locked onto Cain but immediately slid past him to the woman standing beside him. The sight stunned her. The woman was leaning slightly toward Cain, her posture relaxed but elegant. Her features were delicate, framed by long, jet-black hair that flowed like silk. She exuded confidence, her curvaceous figure so striking that even Violet, as a fellow woman, couldn’t help but marvel at her beauty.

Her lips were full, her face perfectly proportioned, and her skin radiated a healthy glow. She was, without question, the most beautiful woman Violet had ever seen. For a moment, Violet was speechless, her lashes fluttering in shock. It wasn’t until Cain’s voice broke the silence that she regained her senses.

"Fiona," Cain said, his tone curt as he gestured toward the corridor. "Your room is the last one down there. Frank will show you the way."

His expression was one of thinly veiled irritation, but Fiona seemed unbothered. Instead of heading toward her assigned room, she moved closer to Violet, her steps graceful and deliberate. Standing before her, Fiona extended a hand for a handshake.

"Cain’s lover?" she murmured softly, her voice light and melodic. Violet hesitated, unsure if she should accept the gesture, but finally relented. Fiona’s expression was gentle, her demeanor warm and unthreatening as she continued.

"You have feminine features," Fiona commented with an air of relief, her words carrying an unspoken meaning: Cain wasn’t completely into men. For some reason, that seemed to matter to her.

Though Violet knew her position as Cain’s lover gave her little actual authority, she couldn’t keep quiet. The tension in the air was palpable, and curiosity got the better of her. "...And you are?" she asked, her tone cautious but direct.

Fiona’s smile widened, becoming even more radiant. There was no malice in her expression as she replied, "Fiona. I’ll be living here from now on. I guess we’ll be seeing each other often."

She might have said more, but Cain stepped forward, his impatience evident. Placing himself between them, he repeated his earlier directive with a sharper edge to his tone.

"Fiona, your room is down there. If it doesn’t suit you, I can arrange for another wing," he said brusquely.

Fiona bowed her head slightly, her tone impossibly polite as she responded. "Yes, Lord Cain. I’ll be on my way."

She offered Violet one last smile and a small nod before turning and walking toward the rooms at the far end of the corridor. Her hips swayed subtly as she moved, and she entered one of the rooms, closing the door firmly behind her.

Violet remained rooted in place, watching Fiona’s retreating figure. She couldn’t help but be impressed by the woman’s poise and grace. For the first time, Violet became acutely aware of her own insecurities. Compared to Fiona’s long, lustrous hair, her own barely reached past her forehead. Fiona’s skin glowed with a flawless tan, while hers was ghostly pale. And Fiona’s curves—full and perfectly proportioned—made Violet’s figure seem lackluster in comparison.

What does Cain even see in me? she wondered, her heart sinking. With someone like Fiona around, she couldn’t help but feel inadequate.

Lost in thought, she was startled when Cain spoke, his voice cutting through her reverie.

"Are you going to stand there gawking, or are you heading back in?" he asked, his tone laced with displeasure.

Flustered, Violet shook her head and quickly retreated into her room. Cain followed, closing the door behind him. She tried to convince herself she didn’t care.

I don’t care about any of this. Cain can bring any woman he wants into his house, she thought. But the words rang hollow, and before she could stop herself, she blurted out, "Who is she?"

She hated the trace of jealousy in her voice and struggled to sound more composed as she added, "Is she going to be staying for a while?"

Her expression was as neutral as she could manage, but Cain’s intense gaze bore into her as he leaned against the table, rolling up his sleeves. For a moment, he said nothing, his silence amplifying her unease. Then, finally, he spoke.

"Fiona is Eldric’s adopted daughter. She likes me and has asked to stay here for a while."

Violet’s heart raced at his words, though she did her best to remain calm. Her composure wavered when she caught the growing smirk on Cain’s face as he looked at her.

"She’s nothing," he added, his tone softening slightly. "I like you."

Her heart skipped a beat despite herself, and the faint flush that crept into her cheeks annoyed her even more. Cain’s smirk widened as he watched her reaction, and Violet turned away, unsure of how to respond.