The rain had stopped, but the world outside the mansion still seemed soaked in gray. Caleb stood by the window, fingers lightly pressed against the cold pane. Even the sun looked reluctant to touch the estate. A fitting reflection of the life caught inside it.
The mansion felt different the next day — quieter, colder, as if the walls remembered the way Lucian had looked past him.
He had just set down a mug of tea when a knock echoed off the polished walls.
"Mr. Arden," came Mr. Han's voice, neutral as ever. "You have a visitor."
Caleb's breath stalled.
A visitor? Here? Who on earth—
He hurried down the grand staircase and reached the foyer just as the doors were opened… and in stepped a figure he hadn't expected to see again so soon.
"Ca-leeeb!!" Evan sang, arms spread dramatically as he stepped inside.
Caleb froze.
Evan Arden — his younger Omega brother. Beautiful, cheerful, delicate… and possibly the last person in the world Caleb wanted to see today.
But he forced a smile. "Evan… What are you doing here?"
Evan didn't answer right away. He waltzed forward like he belonged here, eyes sweeping across the chandeliers and imported marble floors as if personally evaluating them.
Two servants followed behind him, carrying stacks of neatly wrapped boxes.
"I was just in the city," Evan said airily, as if this mansion and its heavily-guarded gates were a bakery he'd dropped by for a baguette. "And I thought, how rude of me if I didn't check on my dear brother after his… historic wedding."
There was a glint in his eyes. Sharp. To the point.
Caleb straightened. "You don't need to worry about me."
"Oh, but I do." Evan fluttered his eyelashes as the gifts were arranged on the floor. "I mean, marrying into this family? The great Lucian Thorne? You poor thing. You must be miserable."
"…I'm fine."
"Sure," Evan said, voice light and amused. "And I'm the moon's chosen Omega."
He looked around, then gestured toward the servants. "Let's set up in the tea lounge. It's less tragic than this crypt."
Caleb said nothing as the parade moved. The lounge was elegant, covered in soft blue and white tones that felt less suffocating than most of the house. Servants laid out tea sets, cakes, food—from what Evan had brought.
Caleb sat stiffly while Evan arranged himself on the couch like a crowned prince.
"These are for you," Evan said, motioning to the tower of gifts. "Designers. Brands. Things I know you won't buy yourself."
Caleb felt his stomach tighten. "Evan, I don't need—"
"Oh sweetie," Evan cut in sweetly. "Everything in your life has changed. You need everything."
Caleb's jaw tightened. But he knew enough not to fight. Not now. Not with Evan.
"So," Evan said, crossing his legs. "How is married life?"
Caleb pressed a soft sigh into his tea. "…It's complicated."
"Complicated?" Evan laughed like it was both adorable and pathetic. "You mean cold, right? I mean—Lucian was always like that, but with me he relaxed sometimes. Especially when we trained together."
Caleb stilled.
Evan's smile was sugar-dipped poison. He sipped his tea delicately, lashes lowered just enough to watch Caleb's face.
"You trained with Lucian?" Caleb asked quietly.
"Oh, all the time," Evan replied. "He used to correct my posture when handling weapons. Sometimes he stayed behind just to walk me home. I always thought—ah, never mind."
He waved it off dramatically.
It wasn't the words that cut Caleb.
It was the way Evan said used to.
Casual.
Careless.
Crushing.
"Anyway," Evan continued brightly, like gossiping over brunch, "I know it's a shock to suddenly be dropped here. All of this must feel… out of place. Especially since someone else was originally meant to be here. But hey—at least you got the expensive ring, right?"
"Evan." Caleb met his eyes, voice strained. "Please don't."
"What?" Evan pouted. "I'm just being honest. This house… it's not really yours, right? I'd hate for you to feel like you have to pretend you belong."
The words slid like blades beneath the soft tone.
That was when Caleb understood.
The gifts weren't kindness.
This visit wasn't care.
Evan had come to remind him — remind everyone — that he was the person Lucian wanted.
And Caleb was the replacement.
Suddenly, the walls felt smaller.
The air thicker.
Caleb knew Evan, knew how skilled he was at wrapping insecurity in sugar. This was guilt disguised as generosity. Jealousy disguised as concern.
He rose. "Thank you for coming. I—"
Evan stood too, smile frozen in place like a mask. "Leaving so soon? We haven't even talked about the wedding night—"
His words died.
Because the air shifted.
Boots echoed from the hallway.
Both of them turned as Lucian Thorne stepped into the room.
He stopped in the doorway.
His blue eyes scanned the space, paused, then landed—
Not on Caleb.
But on Evan.
"…You're here," Lucian said.
And Caleb had never heard that tone.
Warm.
Surprised.
Softened.
Lucian walked forward, every movement controlled but unmistakably different. He stopped beside Evan and placed a hand briefly on his shoulder.
Caleb's chest caved.
Evan smiled with innocent delight. "I brought Caleb some things. You should've seen how quiet your staff were—so I gave them something to talk about."
Lucian's expression didn't change. But the corners of his mouth eased.
"You shouldn't have come alone," Lucian said, voice careful, low. "You know how unsafe it can be."
Caleb stared.
He had never been warned.
Never been considered.
Evan shrugged prettily. "I knew you'd protect me if anything happened."
Lucian's jaw tightened — but not in anger.
In worry.
In concern.
Caleb suddenly felt like a ghost in his own marriage.
Left out of conversations, left out of glances, left out of a past he wasn't allowed to be part of.
His hands trembled.
Lucian's eyes finally flicked to him — cold as a glacier.
"Have the servants help you sort through the gifts," Lucian said. "And make sure none of this disrupts the household."
Then he turned back to Evan.
"You should eat before you leave."
Not even looking at Caleb again.
And in that moment, Caleb understood something sharp and aching.
Lucian could soften.
He had treated someone with gentle familiarity before.
Just not him.
And that was almost worse than cruelty.
Because it meant Caleb wasn't just unwanted.
He was replaceable.