The necklace—that necklace—burned in her mind, its golden chain a noose around her heart. It was too expensive, far more than Julius had ever spent on her, and the thought gnawed at her like a festering wound. She'd wanted him to mark Rem, to claim her, but the extravagance of it felt like a betrayal.
"Enough," she muttered under her breath. She couldn't let them interact anymore—not today, not until she could regain control. The festival plans, the paperwork, all of it—she'd handle it herself. No more stolen glances, no more accidental brushes of hands. She needed space to think, to rebuild the walls of her plan.
At the mansion, Anastasia dismissed Rem with a curt nod. "Take the rest of the day, Rem. I'll manage the reports." Her voice was clipped, leaving no room for argument. Rem hesitated, her blue eyes flickering with confusion, but she bowed and retreated. Julius opened his mouth to speak, but Anastasia cut him off with a raised hand. "Not now, Julius. I need to focus."
She strode to her office, the door closing behind her with a soft thud. The desk was piled high with reports—budgets for Subaru's festival, vendor contracts, schedules. Normally, she'd delegate to Julius or Rem, but not today. Today, she needed the distraction, the solitude, to drown out the chaos in her mind.
As she dipped her quill in ink, her thoughts drifted back to the necklace. It was obscene, really—gold encrusted with jewels, worth more than Subaru could earn in a lifetime. And that was the point, wasn't it? Julius was a man of means, of strength, of perfection. He had every right to want Rem, to mark her as his. She was a prize, her beauty and grace wasted on a man like Subaru. Anastasia's lip curled in disgust at the thought of him—scrawny, jobless, scraping by on dreams and Rem's loyalty. He was beneath her, out of her league entirely. The idea of his hands on Rem, his clumsy affection tainting her, made Anastasia's stomach churn.
She scratched out a line on the report, the quill trembling in her grip. "I'm doing her a favor," she whispered, justifying it to herself. Rem deserved better—someone like Julius, whose body was sculpted from years of training, whose presence commanded respect. Julius wasn't a loser, wasn't a failure who couldn't hold a job. He'd bought Rem a gift Subaru could never dream of affording, a symbol of what a real man could offer. If Subaru loved Rem, he'd see that. He'd step aside, let her have the life she was meant for. And if he didn't? Well, that wasn't her fault. She was giving Rem a choice, an opportunity to trade up.
Anastasia's pen paused, hovering over the paper. A flicker of guilt crept in, unbidden. Subaru would lose Rem—his anchor, his everything. She understood that pain, the hollow ache of watching someone slip away. But it wasn't her fault, was it? If Subaru was too weak to keep her, too pathetic to fight for her, then he didn't deserve her. Still, the thought of ruining his life tugged at her. Maybe it could be a one-time adventure, a fleeting moment for Rem to taste something better. Unless Julius wanted more. Unless he saw in Rem what Anastasia couldn't give him—youth, vitality, a future.
She shook her head, forcing the thought away. Rem would love it—she was sure of it. Julius would conquer her, body and mind, with his charm, his strength. Anastasia could picture it so clearly: Rem, flushed and breathless, gazing up at Julius with adoration, the necklace glinting against her skin. They'd look perfect together. And Subaru? He should be thanking her for showing Rem what she'd been missing, for opening the door to a better man.
The reports blurred before her eyes, her hands moving mechanically as she signed and sorted. Julius was everything Subaru wasn't—tall, broad-shouldered, his voice a low rumble that could make any woman weak. Subaru was a boy, stumbling through life with no direction, no prospects. It wasn't her fault he was a bad husband, clinging to Rem like a leech. She was doing this for Julius, for Rem, for the life they could have. If Subaru got hurt, that was just collateral damage.
Hours passed, the pile of papers dwindling as the sun dipped below the horizon. Anastasia's fingers ached, her head throbbing from the strain, but she pressed on until the last report was done. She leaned back in her chair, exhaling a shaky breath. The room was quiet, the mansion still, and for a moment, she felt the weight of her own fragility. Her illness, her fading beauty—it was all so unfair. But she wasn't wrong. She couldn't be. She was giving Julius what he deserved, what he needed.
Rising from her chair, Anastasia smoothed her dress and made her way to the bedroom. The halls were dim, the soft glow of lanterns casting long shadows. Julius was already there, sitting on the edge of the bed, his shirt unbuttoned, his hair slightly mussed from the day. He looked up as she entered, his eyes warm but cautious.
"Anastasia," he said softly, standing to meet her. "You worked late. You should've let me help."
Anastasia stood in the doorway, her silhouette framed by the soft lantern light. Julius looked up from the bed, his shirt half-unbuttoned, his eyes searching hers. The air between them was thick, heavy with the unspoken weight of the day. She could feel it—the necklace, the shop, the slap—lingering like a storm about to break.
"Anastasia," Julius said, his voice low but edged with concern. "Are you still mad about... earlier?"
She forced a smile, stepping into the room and letting the door click shut behind her. "Mad? No, Julius, I'm not mad." Her tone was light, almost teasing, but her fingers tightened around the fabric of her dress.
He stood, crossing the room to her, his gaze piercing. "I know you too well, Anastasia. That's a lie."
Her smile faltered, and she tilted her head, eyes narrowing. "Is it? Then tell me, Julius, was it worth it? Valuing Rem's naked body enough to buy her a royal necklace? One that outshines anything you've ever given me?"
Julius's jaw tightened, but his voice stayed calm. "I thought you wanted me to buy something expensive. You pushed me to do it, Anastasia. You said she deserved something nice."
She laughed, a sharp, brittle sound, and turned away, her fingers brushing the edge of the dresser. "Nice, yes. But you went too far. A necklace like that? You've never bought me anything so extravagant. Just this." She held up her hand, the simple wedding ring glinting faintly in the dim light. "This is all I have from you."
Julius's expression softened, and he stepped closer, his hand gently taking hers. "That ring may be cheap, Anastasia, but I bought it with my own money. It's a sign of my love—every bit of it. You know that."
Her heart fluttered, a warmth spreading through her despite the anger she tried to cling to. She was happy, deep down, that he still loved her, that the ring meant something more than gold or jewels. But she couldn't let him see that—not yet. She pulled her hand away, feigning irritation. "You thought I don't like jewelry? I don't, Julius, but it looks wrong when you buy something like that for a maid. Our maid."
Julius's patience frayed, his voice rising slightly. "You started this, Anastasia, with your stupid provocations. Parading Rem in that kimono, setting me up to look like a fool in that shop. You humiliated me, and now you're acting like I'm the one who crossed a line?"
She spun to face him, her eyes flashing. "If you hadn't gotten horny for Rem, I wouldn't have had to call it out! Don't pretend you didn't notice her, Julius. I saw your eyes. You couldn't look away."
He turned away, his shoulders tense, his voice low and angry. "I've had enough arguing with you today, Anastasia. I'm tired of your insecurities driving this... this madness." He stormed toward the window, his back to her, the silence between them sharp as a blade.
Anastasia stood frozen, her heart pounding. Admit it, damn it, she thought. She was sure he wanted Rem, could see it in the way his eyes lingered, the way he'd faltered in the shop. He loved her body—she knew that—but he'd go for Rem if he could. She couldn't just give him a free chance to cheat; he had to earn it, to fight for it. If he wanted a reward like Rem, he needed to work for it, to break his own vows. And Rem—she needed to work for it too. If she didn't resist, didn't fight for her loyalty to Subaru, Anastasia would kick her out. She wanted them to earn this affair, to struggle for it, so she could win. She wanted Julius to take Rem, to claim her, and then return to her, proving his love was stronger.
Her gaze fell to her wedding ring, the simple band a stark contrast to the opulence of Rem's necklace. Then another thought struck her, sharp and venomous. Rem had a wedding ring too—Subaru's ring, a cheap, pathetic mark of their marriage. The idea of Rem wearing another man's claim, a man so far beneath Julius, made her blood boil. She called Rem an insult in her mind—a slut, a fool who didn't even know she belonged to Julius. The fact that Rem didn't realize it yet was no excuse. That ring had to go. It was a symbol of Rem and Subaru's bond, and Anastasia wanted it destroyed.
For a fleeting moment, she imagined replacing Rem's ring with her own, letting Julius's mark overwrite Subaru's. But no—she could never give up her ring. It was hers, a piece of Julius she'd never share, not even with Rem. Unless... unless Rem wanted it. If Rem begged for it, if she admitted she was better than Anastasia, then maybe she'd give it to her. After all, Rem was better—younger, stronger, more vibrant. Anastasia knew her place, knew she was lesser in every way. If Rem wanted something from her, she'd give it, even if she was Rem's master. For Julius's sake, she'd make room for her.
But there was another way. She could ruin Rem's ring, mark it with Julius's essence somehow—a subtle, wicked claim that Rem wouldn't even notice. A stain, a scratch, something to taint Subaru's pathetic symbol and make it Julius's. The thought sent a thrill through her, her lips curling into a sly smile.
She glanced at Julius, still facing the window, his silence a wall she couldn't breach tonight. Exhaustion tugged at her, the weight of her plans and her illness pulling her down. She slipped into bed, the sheets cool against her skin. As she closed her eyes, her thoughts lingered on Julius—his strength, his perfection, the way he'd always come back to her, no matter what she did. She'd make him cheat, make him claim Rem, and when he did, he'd choose her in the end. She was sure of it.
Anastasia drifted into sleep, her wedding ring glinting faintly in the moonlight, a quiet promise amidst the chaos of her desires.
Anastasia sat in her office, the morning light filtering through the curtains, but her mind was shrouded in shadows. She couldn't stop thinking about Rem's ring—that simple, pathetic band Subaru had slipped on her finger. She wanted it gone, destroyed, erased from existence. It mocked her, a symbol of Rem's misplaced loyalty to a man who didn't deserve her. What pissed her off the most was how the necklace, that extravagant piece Julius had bought, suddenly felt meaningless in comparison. The necklace was a trinket, a fleeting gesture, but the ring... the ring was a chain binding Rem to Subaru, preventing her from seeing the truth—that she belonged with Julius.
Her fingers drummed on the desk, her eyes narrowing. She had to get rid of it. Somehow. Mark it, ruin it, make it Julius's. The thought consumed her, a fire burning hotter with every passing second.
A knock at the door jolted her from her reverie. "Come in," she called, her voice sharper than intended.
The door creaked open, and Rem stepped inside, holding a small, ornate box. Her expression was hesitant, her eyes downcast. "Lady Anastasia," she began softly, "I've come to return this." She held out the box, the necklace nestled inside like a rejected treasure. "I can't take it."
Anastasia's eyebrows arched, a flicker of irritation crossing her face. She leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. "Nonsense, Rem. It's a reward for your hard work. You've earned it."
Rem shook her head, her grip tightening on the box. "It's too much. I was just doing my job as a maid."
Anastasia studied her for a moment, her sharp mind sensing the lie beneath the words. "What's the real reason, Rem? Out with it."
Rem hesitated, her cheeks flushing. After a long pause, under Anastasia's insistent gaze, she sighed. "Subaru... he doesn't like that I received something like this."
Anastasia blinked, her voice rising in disbelief. "Repeat that?"
Rem shifted uncomfortably. "Subaru doesn't like it. He thinks it's... inappropriate."
Anastasia's laughter was sharp, edged with anger. She stood, pacing behind her desk. "Inappropriate? It's a gift from Julius—for your hard work, Rem. You deserve it. You've been exceptional in this household. And let's not forget, I'm sponsoring Subaru's precious festival. He should be glad—at least grateful enough to let you have a bit of gold for all I've done."
Rem nodded quickly, her voice soft. "I'm thankful for that, Lady Anastasia. Truly. But this necklace... it's different."
Anastasia stopped pacing, her eyes narrowing. "Did Subaru accuse you of cheating? Is that it?"
Rem's silence was answer enough. She looked away, her fingers twisting together.
Anastasia leaned forward, her tone soothing but laced with manipulation. "We bought it because we thought you earned it, Rem. Not because of some affair." Oh, but I want you to have an affair with Julius so much, she thought, her heart racing at the idea. I want it more than anything—to see you break free, to see him claim you. Aloud, she continued, "Subaru doesn't appreciate you enough, does he? He gets constantly jealous, has so little trust in you. A real partner would celebrate your successes, not question them like this."
Rem's eyes flickered with uncertainty, the words hitting closer to home than she wanted to admit. Anastasia watched her closely, the seeds of doubt planted, waiting for them to take root.
Rem opened her mouth to defend Subaru, her voice trembling with frustration. "Subaru isn't like that, Lady Anastasia. He's just worried—"
But Anastasia wasn't in the mood for this conversation. Her eyes had locked onto Rem's finger, where that infuriating wedding ring glinted mockingly in the light. A cheap band, a symbol of Subaru's weak claim on a woman who deserved so much better. It fueled her anger, making her cut Rem off with a wave of her hand.
"Fine," Anastasia snapped, her tone icy. "If that's how it is, then put the necklace on. Right now. And from now on, you'll wear it at work and in your casual outfits. If I find out you're not wearing it, I'll fire you on the spot and make sure Subaru never works in Kararagi again. Do you understand?"
Rem's eyes widened, irritation flashing across her face. "Lady Anastasia, I can't wear something like that! People will talk. As a married woman, it's inappropriate—"
"Call one of the other maids to the room. Now," Anastasia interrupted, her voice brooking no argument.
Rem blinked, confused. "Why?"
"I want a mediator," Anastasia replied coolly. "So we don't end up screaming at each other."
Rem hesitated, her lips pressed into a thin line, but she nodded and left the room. After a few tense minutes, she returned with a young maid, a girl no older than eighteen, with wide eyes and trembling hands. Rem quickly explained the situation in hushed tones, the young maid's face paling as she glanced between them.
Anastasia turned to the young maid, her expression calculated. "What do you think? Should Rem wear the necklace Julius gave her? She's not happy with his gift, it seems."
Ungrateful bitch, Anastasia thought, her mind seething. She should yearn for Julius, be all over him like she was yesterday in that kimono. Fawning, blushing— that's how she ought to act.
Rem shook her head vehemently. "As a married woman, I should never accept something like this. It's wrong."
Anastasia sighed dramatically, turning back to the young maid. "I'm sorry, but I need to make an example for Rem. You're fired."
The young maid's eyes filled with tears, her voice breaking. "Why? What did I do?"
Anastasia leaned forward, her voice soft but firm. "In Kararagi, a boss treats her employees like family. If Rem is a good person, she'll help you by wearing that necklace. Do that, Rem, and this girl keeps her job. Refuse, and she's out on the street because of you."
The room fell silent, the weight of Anastasia's words hanging heavy in the air. Rem's face twisted in conflict, her hand instinctively touching her wedding ring, while the young maid sobbed quietly, pleading eyes fixed on Rem.
Rem glared at Anastasia, her eyes burning with hate, her fists clenched at her sides. Anastasia met her gaze with equal venom, her lips curling into a sneer. She's the perfect woman for Julius, Anastasia thought, but she needs to be tamed. Broken down until she submits.
"If you fire her," Rem said through gritted teeth, nodding toward the sobbing young maid, "I'll quit. Right now."
Anastasia's laughter was cold, echoing in the tense room. "If you do that, Rem, you can be sure Subaru's dream of the festival is over. I'll pull every string, every sponsorship. He'll be left with nothing."
Rem's face twisted in rage, and she screamed, her voice cracking as tears welled in her eyes. "This is how you show gratefulness? After everything I've done?"
Anastasia screamed back, her voice rising to match Rem's fury. "You're spitting on my gratefulness—on Julius's gratefulness! He bought you something special, and you're throwing it away like trash!"
She doubled over suddenly, a fit of coughing wracking her frail body. The young maid whimpered, but Anastasia straightened, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "Yesterday, you were happy about it. You should use it, wear it with pride. But now you're starting this drama?"
Her voice grew sharper, laced with accusation. "I was pissed at Julius for buying it for you because it shows he values your work. And if you think I'm going to ignore you disrespecting Julius like this—"
"Shut up!" The words boomed through the room, loud and commanding.
Anastasia froze, her rant cutting off mid-sentence. She hadn't realized Julius had entered the room, his presence filling the space like a storm cloud, his face etched with anger and disbelief.
Julius's face was a mask of fury as he stared at Anastasia. "What are you doing?" he demanded, his voice low but cutting through the tension like a blade.
He glanced at the young maid, who was still sniffling, and then at Rem, whose eyes were red from unshed tears. "Are you both alright?" he asked outright, his concern evident.
"I heard the arguing from across the mansion," he added, stepping further into the room.
Anastasia quickly composed herself, plastering on her usual caring face. "It's nothing, Julius. Just a little argument."
Rem shook her head, turning to him. "Lady Anastasia threatened to fire this maid."
Julius's brow furrowed. "What did she do?"
"Nothing wrong," Rem replied firmly. "She did nothing at all."
Anastasia tried to change the topic, waving a hand dismissively. "I have my reasons. After all, I see she doesn't work too hard."
Rem glanced at Anastasia, then back at Julius. "I came to return the gift because I can't take the necklace, and Lady Anastasia threatened to fire the maid over it."
Anastasia interrupted sharply. "She threw it on my desk like it was garbage, Julius."
She stepped closer to him, her voice turning manipulative. "This is how Rem repays our generosity? I sponsor her husband's festival, and now she thinks she's too good to wear a necklace from you."
Rem's face turned red, and she looked at Julius with tears in her eyes. "It's not like that! I like the necklace, but it's too much. I can't accept it because it would look bad for Subaru if people see me wearing a necklace from another man."
Julius let out a small laugh, though it held no real humor. "I can understand that. If I were your husband, I too wouldn't be happy if Anastasia wore a gift like that from another man."
He turned to the young maid. "Don't cry. You're not fired. You can go home for today, and I'm really sorry for my wife's behavior."
Anastasia opened her mouth to protest, but Julius shot her a serious look that silenced her. The maid nodded gratefully, murmuring, "Thank you, Sir Julius," before hurrying out of the room.
Julius then looked at Rem, his expression softening. "I'm sorry, Rem. I had all good intentions buying that necklace, and I'm sorry for putting you in this situation."
Anastasia crossed her arms. "Rem is ungrateful."
Julius turned to her, his voice stern. "Rem earned that necklace with her hard work. The only ungrateful person here is you, Anastasia—you don't respect that Rem worked hard doing paperwork with me."
He noticed Anastasia holding the bag with the necklace and strode over, grabbing it from her hand. Turning to Rem, he offered it to her. "Here."
Rem shook her head. "I cannot take it."
"This necklace was earned by your hard work," Julius insisted. "I can understand your husband is jealous, but it's a reward you earned. You should keep it—if you ever need money, you can sell it. And after what I saw today, I'd feel better if you had some security from Anastasia's moods."
Anastasia stepped forward. "Rem, I'm sorry. It was my fault. I'll take the necklace back, and we can pretend nothing happened."
But Rem looked at Anastasia for a long moment, then took the bag from Julius. With one hand, she wiped away her tears and said, "Thank you. Julius-kun."
Julius let out a light laugh, his tension easing as he looked at Rem. "I hope you don't tell your husband. He might want to kill my for this misunderstanding."
Rem managed a small smile, wiping the last of her tears. "Subaru is a great person. He'll understand."
Anastasia sat there, pouting like a child who didn't get her toy, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Inside, her mind seethed with hate. Instead of conquering her, Julius is trying to be friendly with Rem? she thought bitterly. I want him to fuck her, to show her where her place is—not to build some pathetic camaraderie. The idea of Julius taking Rem, dominating her, and then returning to her as the victor fueled her twisted desire, and this gentle exchange was a slap in the face.
Julius turned to Rem, his expression earnest. "I'm sorry for Anastasia's behavior. I hope you can forgive her."
He glanced at Anastasia briefly before continuing. "In Kararagi, people you work with are like family. I know Anastasia has a high opinion of you and likes you a lot. That's why she reacted like that—because she thinks of you as her sister."
Rem's face fell, a visible discomfort and sadness washing over her at the word "sister." Her fingers brushed her wedding ring, a silent anchor to Subaru.
Julius, oblivious to her reaction, added, "Anastasia was an orphan and doesn't have family. That's why she—"
"Shut up!" Anastasia snapped, her voice cutting through his words. "It's not like I like her or anything!"
Julius chuckled, brushing off her outburst with a wave of his hand. Anastasia's eyes narrowed, and she added with a forced smirk, "We'll see how funny this is when Rem has to explain why she didn't give the necklace back."
Julius laughed again, a warm sound that grated on her nerves. "In the worst-case scenario, her husband will come here to beat me up."
Rem gave a weak smile, still uneasy, while Anastasia stewed in silence, her plans unraveling before her eyes.
Julius reached out gently, wiping the tears from Rem's eyes with a tender touch. "Please, leave us for a moment," he said softly, his voice firm yet kind. "I need to speak with Anastasia alone."
Rem hesitated, casting a lingering glance at Anastasia before murmuring, "Excuse me," and slipping out of the room, the door clicking shut behind her.
Julius turned to Anastasia, his face a storm of anger. "What's gotten into you?" he demanded, his voice low and intense.
Anastasia met his gaze, her mind racing. She knew she had to lie, to spin a story to protect herself. Instantly, she shifted, adopting a victim's face, her eyes wide and pleading. "It's not my fault, Julius. Rem disrespected our kindness. I was only trying to—"
"It was a gift," Julius cut in, his tone sharp. "Rem has every right to do what she wants with it."
Anastasia tilted her head, her voice dripping with manipulation. "So what? Rem wanted that necklace, but her husband won't let her have it. Subaru's the problem here."
She pressed on, piling the blame on Subaru. "Her husband orders her around and doesn't even let her accept a gift. He's controlling her every move."
Julius shook his head, his expression hardening. "It's not our place to tell someone how to live, Anastasia."
She scoffed, stepping closer. "So what? Should we let him exploit Rem's kindness? I've talked with her about him, met him already. He can't even keep a simple job and lives off Rem. She has to provide for his lazy ass."
Julius's eyes narrowed. "He's not lazy. He's constantly looking for work, trying his best.Rem talk about him a lot"
Anastasia screamed, her voice echoing in the room. "So what if he's a burden to Rem? He manipulates her!"
She pointed a finger at Julius, her tone accusatory. "The festival won't make a profit—I'm sure of it. I sponsor it because I respect Rem, because she wanted to make her husband happy. But it's a waste. It won't make my money."
Julius stared at her, his disappointment palpable. "You've changed, Anastasia. When I first fell in love with you, you were someone who respected people's ambition, their trying. I remember how you told me that no matter what work someone does, they deserve respect and honest pay. You believed exploitation of people was evil, that people should be judged by their conviction and ambition, not their money."
Anastasia bristled. "If you don't realize, I still pay people honestly."
Julius's laugh was bitter. "Yes, slave labor. You pay them the minimum because you know they have no alternative."
She glared at him, her voice rising. "If I had your mindset, I'd never have built the Hoshin Company."
Julius's gaze hardened as he stared at Anastasia, his voice laced with disbelief. "Yes, and the fact that you wanted to fire an innocent maid?"
Anastasia shrugged, her tone dismissive. "So what? It's not my fault that some young maid is a loser who can't handle an adult life."
Julius's jaw tightened, his patience wearing thin. "From now on, I will not tolerate you threatening the maids, Anastasia."
She opened her mouth to protest, but the intensity in Julius's eyes silenced her before a word could escape. He stepped closer, his voice firm. "You're going to apologize to Rem and the maid."
Anastasia crossed her arms, her expression defiant. "No, I will not say sorry. It's Rem's fault for disrespecting you. If she apologizes to you, I might consider it."
Julius shook his head, his voice rising. "You're acting crazy, Anastasia."
Her eyes flashed with anger, but he pressed on. "What are you going to do with all that money? We don't even have kids to leave it to. Will you take it to your grave?"
Anastasia screamed, her voice breaking with emotion. "It's not my fault I can't have one!"
She glared at him, her words sharp. "It's not my fault I'm not Rem."
Julius's face contorted with frustration. "You're crazy!"
That was the last straw for Anastasia. She'd had enough of being called crazy. "How dare you call me crazy? It's Rem's fault for not appreciating us! I've given her so many opportunities!"
She pointed at Julius, her voice dripping with accusation. "You're all righteous, but masturbating to Rem, you have no problem with that!"
Julius's eyes widened, and he stammered, "I don't—"
Anastasia cut him off, her tone mocking. "Yes, like when instead of going to sleep, you sneak to the bathroom, or how I saw you staring at Rem's nipples like a pervert in the kimono shop."
Julius's face flushed with indignation. "I'm not a pervert! I would never cheat."
She interrupted again, her voice cold and cutting. "I know you don't even have the balls to do it with another woman."
ulius's eyes flashed with finality. "I've had enough," he said, his voice cold and unyielding. He turned toward the door, pausing only to add, "I'm leaving for my training. And I expect you to go and apologize to Rem. Now."
The door slammed shut behind him, leaving Anastasia alone in the room. The silence pressed in on her like a vice, amplifying the rage boiling inside. She paced furiously, her hands clenched into fists, her mind a whirlwind of fury. How dare Rem make Julius scream at me like that? It's all her fault. She thinks she can make me look bad in his eyes? I'm done playing nice.
Her thoughts darkened, twisting into something vicious. She'd hire ninjas—shadowy operatives from Kararagi's underbelly—to steal Rem's ring, that pathetic symbol of her marriage to Subaru. And they wouldn't stop there. She'd make sure they dug up everything about Rem's past. Anastasia had her ways—contacts in Lugnica, whispers from merchants. She'd use it all to break her.
The original plan had been simple: orchestrate a fleeting adventure between Rem and Julius, a spark to ease her insecurities. But now? It was over. She'd make sure Rem carried Julius's kid, a permanent mark that would shatter everything. Willingly or not, Rem would carry his baby in her belly. Anastasia could picture it, the inevitable outcome. She'd show Subaru how Rem got bred, how their marriage meant nothing. Nothing at all.
Anastasia stopped pacing, her breath ragged, a cruel smile creeping across her lips.