He Caged Me, Just to Guard His Lover

Chapter 2

In just one night, word of Julian and Winnie's engagement exploded through the Carter household like scandalous gossip.

As the future Mrs. Carter, Winnie had the entire family tripping over themselves to please her—even my own parents didn't dare sit at the table until she'd settled into her seat.

Yet when faced with the extravagant feast, Winnie's face pinched in feigned hesitation.

"Something wrong? Doesn't the food suit you?" Julian's voice was laced with honeyed concern.

She shook her head, then let her gaze—soft as silk but sharp as knives—slide toward me at the far end. "I've heard Mia was personally raised by Old Master Carter. Your taste must be exceptional. Unlike me…" She gave a self-deprecating laugh. "A washed-up noble with no palate. Would you recommend the best dishes?"

Julian and Howard had been bitter rivals to the death. Since seizing control of the Carter Group, he'd forbidden even Howard's name from being spoken.

And me? Being Howard's favorite was Julian's ultimate trigger—the core reason he despised me.

Right on cue, Julian's expression darkened like a thunderclap as he stared me down.

The room froze like startled deer.

My father shot me a look that could flay skin, while my mother jabbed me between the shoulder blades—their silent order. Get on my knees and apologize.

This was our usual dance. If I kowtowed, Julian's anger would ease—just long enough for him to haul me off like a disobedient pet in front of everyone...

But not tonight. My nails bit into my palms. Never again.

As I opened my mouth to refuse.

Winnie's fingertip traced Julian's knuckles like a spider's touch. "Brother Julian," she cooed, fluttering her lashes like a damsel in a bad period drama. "Is that not allowed?"

With just those words, Julian's expression softened miraculously. "Of course," he said gently.

He shot me a sidelong glance and commanded coldly, "Mia, serve Winnie her food."

I froze, staring at him in disbelief.

He actually let Winnie call him "brother"?!

Back when we were kids, I used to follow him around like a lovesick fool, giggling as I called him "brother" over and over.

He'd always pretend to scold me, eyes crinkling with amusement as he teased, "Mia, only if you call me 'uncle' will you get candy."

But the next time I called him "brother," he'd still slip me candy anyway.

Then came the paternity test proving they weren't father and son.

He said the word "brother" only reminded him of the humiliation and torment he'd endured.

I remembered it too clearly—the last time I'd slipped up and called him "brother" in bed. His hand clamped around my throat, squeezing until my vision darkened and my lungs screamed for air.

Only then did he let go, his voice icy. "Never call me that again."

After that, I never dared.

Yet now, he was letting Winnie say it so freely.

When I didn't move, Julian pinned me with a glare. "Winnie is your auntie now. It's only proper you show her respect."

Winnie flashed me a smug look before cooing, "I'm not even your wife yet."

Julian chuckled, his voice thick with affection. "To me, you're already my wife."

Amidst their intimate moment, all eyes turned to me—filled with mocking grins and open contempt.

Once the ruthless heir of the Carter empire, I'd been reduced to Julian's mere plaything.

Rumors painted me as his groveling pet, so desperate for his attention I'd surrender the Carter empire itself.

Seven years of this had numbed me. Mechanically, I rose to serve Winnie, robotically picking dishes for her.

The entire evening, I stood attendant at her side until my legs burned with exhaustion, every muscle screaming in protest.

"I'm quite full now," she finally trilled, saccharine sweet. "How... thoughtful of you, Mia."

Julian's voice melted like honey. "Your happiness is all I care about, darling. Let's take a stroll."

Not once did he glance my way.

As the party dispersed, my mother's glare pierced me like knives. "Worthless. Can't even hold a man's attention."

Father just shook his head in disgust, abandoning me to the cold leftovers.

The picked-over dishes churned my stomach—I doubled over, retching violently.

Then my phone lit up. Leo's message glowed.

Leo: Boss, phase one is clear.

I exhaled sharply.

When Howard died, I'd been a powerless twenty-year-old—unable to steer Carter Corporation's crumbling legacy.

I'd considered letting Julian burn it all down... but the Carter empire's carcass was still vast, its corrupt networks spanning oceans.

So for seven long years, I acted the broken puppet—collecting evidence, tracing dirty money, biding my time to strike.

After years of waiting, justice was finally on the horizon.

I wondered if their sickening sweetness would last when the Carter family empire came crashing down around them.