I retreated into the bathroom, turned on the shower, and let scalding water pour over me. I tried to wash away every trace of Samuel's scent, tried to scour away the truths that had carved themselves, word by word, into my skull.
When I stepped out, the long dining table was laden with an elaborate spread of brunch pastries. Shrimp dumplings, siu mai, custard tarts. Every single one had been my favorite, once upon a time. Every time I'd seen them laid out like this, I'd been touched for hours afterward. Now, looking at the delicate spread, my stomach lurched violently. I couldn't summon even the ghost of a smile.
Because I understood now, with brutal clarity. These weren't my favorites.
They were Selene's.
The woman who had destroyed my mother. The woman who had destroyed everything I had. These were her favorites.
The doorbell rang. Through the glass of the foyer, I saw Selene standing outside in the latest couture jewelry gown, her makeup immaculate, a servant trailing behind her. She pushed the door open and walked straight to the dining table as if she owned the place. She sat down without so much as a glance in my direction, her tone dripping with casual familiarity.
"Lois, sorry to intrude. The Godfather and I have the Sicily gemstone mine transfer meeting this morning. He told me to come to the Castle for breakfast first so we could leave together."
My gaze locked onto the silver badge in her hand. It bore the Castle's exclusive crest. An all-access pass, identical to the one I held. The highest-level credential in the entire estate, issued only to the Godfather's most trusted inner circle.
My fingers tightened around my teacup until my knuckles went white. I said nothing.
Samuel noticed something was off. He stood quickly, moved to my side, and leaned in close, his voice low and tinged with a barely perceptible edge of panic.
"Lois, don't misunderstand. Selene is our family's most important jewelry partner and the person I trust most. It's perfectly normal for her to have an all-access badge for the Castle."
Before he'd even finished speaking, something seemed to occur to him. He tensed, rose abruptly, and strode to Selene's side. In one swift motion, he snatched the cup of espresso she'd just poured.