Sweet For You, Ruthless For Others-Chapter 22: Back in the House.

"...but I have to get back to the office," Niklaus explained. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

I raised an eyebrow. "I didn’t ask," I muttered, but the corner of my mouth betrayed me, twitching into a half-smile.

Niklaus just shook his head, amused.

Jared handed me the bag containing the dress—the dress—and another smaller one. "This is a complimentary gift for shopping with us for the first time," he said cheerfully.

"Thank you," I replied, surprised by how sincere my voice sounded. It wasn’t every day someone gave me anything without expecting something in return.

We stepped out of the store, my arms now heavy with shopping bags. The weight of the dress felt more than just physical—it was like I was carrying a secret.

"I’ll pay you back," I said as I hurried to keep pace with Niklaus, who was already a few steps ahead.

"Okay," he replied absently, not even looking at me.

I quickened my stride. "I mean, I can’t pay the full amount now, but I can cover 30 percent."

Still nothing.

"It’s not like I don’t have the money," I added, the words rushing out as if I needed to justify myself. "I’m just being financially wise."

Finally, his lips quirked into that faint, knowing smile. "And I admire that you’re economical," he said, his gaze flicking to me for a brief moment before shifting back to the path ahead.

I blinked. Economical. That was a new one.

"Then you’ll give me your account details?" I asked, a little more hesitant now.

Niklaus chuckled—a low, rich sound that sent an unexpected shiver down my spine. "I don’t take partial payments, Mia. When you have the full amount, you can come to me."

My stomach did an odd little flip at the way he said it. "Come to you?" I repeated, scrunching my nose, trying to pretend his words hadn’t sparked something strange in me.

"Take your time," he added softly as we reached his car.

He opened the door for me—graceful, effortless—and I slid inside, my mind spinning in circles.

As the car pulled away, I glanced at the bag beside me, the price of the dress looming like a shadow over the excitement I still couldn’t shake. "Six grand," I muttered to myself. "I’ve officially entered debt."

Niklaus smirked faintly, not bothering to look my way. "It’s not debt if it’s a gift."

I blinked, startled. Before I could respond, he’d already shifted his gaze back out the window, his profile sharp and unreadable.

We reached my neighborhood faster than I expected, Niklaus weaving through traffic like speed limits were just polite suggestions.

The familiar gates of the estate loomed ahead, a heavy reminder of the world I was about to step back into.

I gripped the edge of the shopping bag a little tighter as the car slid to a stop just outside the entrance. He didn’t seem to notice the sharp look the gatekeeper threw my way—it wasn’t like I was allowed to drive cars into the estate anyway. That would be considered flaunting. God forbid I looked like I had anything nice.

"Thanks for the ride," I said quickly, already halfway out of the car.

Niklaus barely glanced at me, checking his watch. "See you soon, Mia."

My jaw tightened. "It’s Hermia," I muttered under my breath, but he was already speeding off, tires screeching as if he had somewhere much more important to be.

I sighed, adjusting the bags in my arms as I stepped through the gates. The air felt heavier, the familiar weight of dread pressing down on my shoulders.

The path to the house was lined with perfectly trimmed hedges—too perfect. They always reminded me more of prison bars than something beautiful.

By the time I reached the front door, the small, silly smile I’d worn with Niklaus had completely faded.

Time to pass through fire, I thought grimly.

Inside, Mariela and Selena were exactly where I’d expected them to be—lounging on the velvet couches in the living room, watching some soap opera.

Mariela’s fingers tapped idly against her wine glass, while Selena twisted a strand of her hair, pretending I didn’t exist.

I kept my voice neutral. "Hello."

I didn’t wait for a response, making a beeline for the stairs. Maybe, just maybe, I could slip away before—

"Hermia."

Mariela’s voice cut through the air like a whip. Cold and sweet at the same time. "Come here. What is that?"

I froze. My stomach twisted into a knot.

Slowly, I glanced at the shopping bags in my hands, my brain scrambling for an excuse. "It’s nothing, just some—"

"Don’t make me repeat myself."

Her smile was all teeth—pretty but venomous.

Selena, of course, perked up. "Bring that thing you got. I want to see it." Her voice dripped with fake curiosity, and I could already hear the insult hidden behind her words.

I swallowed hard. "I—"

"No, Mother," Selena cut me off with a sickeningly sweet smirk. "Let her take whatever trash she bought upstairs. I’d rather be surprised when she inevitably embarrasses herself wearing it."

Mariela chuckled softly, swirling her wine like this was the highlight of her day. "Fine. Go. I can’t stand the sight of you anyway."

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm. "With pleasure," I muttered just loud enough for them to hear, turning sharply and heading up the stairs before they could change their minds.

My heart didn’t stop pounding until I was in my room, the door locked behind me.

I placed the bags carefully on the bed, letting out a shaky breath. If Mariela or Selena had seen the dress, they’d have torn it apart—either physically or with their words. It didn’t really matter which.

Sitting on the edge of my bed, I stared at the dress bag.

I hated how they made me feel—small, worthless, like I didn’t belong. Like I didn’t deserve anything.

But then... I thought of Niklaus.

The way he’d brushed off the cost of the dress like it was nothing. The way he’d said, Trust me, Mia. You deserve it.

His voice echoed in my mind, so different from the ones I was used to.

Before I could stop myself, I smiled. A tiny, defiant smile.

"I deserve two expensive dresses in a day," I whispered, a soft giggle escaping my lips.

It sounded ridiculous—absurd, even—but the thought of it filled me with a quiet sort of glee.

Who would’ve thought today would end with me owning something so luxurious?

I changed into simpler clothes, tossing my sundress onto the back of the chair. The soft cotton felt like a relief after hours of walking, talking, and surviving Jared’s over-the-top sales pitch.

After a quick trip to the bathroom, I stretched, the weight of the day finally sinking in.

I considered going downstairs for lunch—but the thought of sitting at the table with Mariela and Selena was enough to twist my stomach again.

No.

I needed a nap—some peace—before the evening’s chaos inevitably started.

But even as I crawled into bed, the same thought gnawed at me.

What if they lock me in and I can’t go out?