Lady Elisabeth gently knocks on Taylor's bedroom door, seeking permission to enter and conveying her genuine concern. Taylor, a mix of apprehension and curiosity, grants Lady Elisabeth access to her most personal space, giving her room to speak.
As they settle in a cozy corner of the room, Lady Elisabeth pauses for a moment, locking eyes with Taylor. In that instant, Taylor feels as if a colossal wrecking ball is about to hit her. She tries to maintain optimism, even in the face of uncertainty.
Lady Elisabeth begins to speak, her words flowing slowly. She leaves no room for questions, explaining that Adam is responsible for everything, and the omega was merely a victim of circumstances. The news shakes Clarice, as it contradicts her own desires for her life.
Lady Elisabeth blames herself and expresses her anguish for not pushing harder for Adam to marry Taylor earlier. She struggles to find the right words to convey her concern.
Taylor feels her heart racing uncontrollably, but Lady Elisabeth, deeply concerned, takes her hand, trying to provide comfort and solace.
Amidst the whirlwind of emotions, Lady Elisabeth gazes into Taylor's eyes and says, "Don't let it consume you." Her voice carries a blend of compassion and hope.
Pale, Taylor looks at Lady Elisabeth and responds with a shy smile, "I'll be alright." In a gesture of gratitude, Taylor holds Lady Elisabeth's hand, feeling embraced and understood.
At the Phillips residence, the atmosphere resembled a corporate meeting. Several people were present, including Callum's own family: his grandfather, Mallet Campbell, and his mother, Sarah Campbell.
Robert Phillips, a personal friend of Callum's grandfather and patriarch of the Phillips Family, gathered with his son, Jared, Jared's wife, Beatrice, and their eldest son, Oliver, and Clarice. They all anxiously awaited an explanation.
Oliver had attempted to explain multiple times that everything had happened so quickly, they barely had time to start a conversation when Adam and Callum abruptly stood up and walked off together.
Moments later, an overwhelming wave of pheromones swept through the room, causing several people, including Oliver, to faint.
Upon waking up, Oliver realized Adam and Callum were nowhere to be found, and he couldn't gather any information about their whereabouts. Initially, he considered the possibility of a targeted criminal attack on Adam or Callum, as they had both stood up simultaneously, as if they had sensed something. Oliver didn't rule out any theories.
It was Clarice's mother, Beatrice Phillips, who spoke first, which surprised no one. Callum was engaged to her daughter, and in recent months, Clarice had been experiencing mysterious persecutions and threats.
Beatrice began to speak, highlighting the public image of Clarice and Callum as the perfect couple, comparing them to well-known figures. She emphasized the significance of their commitment to society and how Clarice had invested her time and emotions into the relationship. However, Beatrice also expressed her concern about how Callum handled the situation, publicly humiliating Clarice in front of her family and friends.
Her eyes, adorned with ornate golden eyeglasses, gleamed with calculated ambition, hinting at the depths of her manipulative nature.
As Beatrice spoke, Clarice kept her head low, feeling exhausted and confused. She feared what it meant for Callum to have spent three days with the mysterious omega, imagining the possibilities of drugs, manipulation, or threats during that time.
The idea of Callum being with someone else was painful, especially after believing they were growing closer in recent months and that he would be the person she'd spend his rut and life with.
When Callum began to speak, Clarice lifted her head and immediately sensed that something had changed. His usual coldness was there, but there was something different in the air. Callum assumed a solemn tone, as if conducting a corporate meeting, and explained that the incident was a spontaneous pheromone shock caused involuntarily by him and Adam. He emphasized that there was no crime or manipulation involved.
The room fell silent as everyone processed Callum's words. He then continued in a professional tone, assuring the continuity of projects and economic partnerships between the Phillips and Campbell companies, emphasizing his commitment to business success.
Despite his advanced age, Mr. Mallet stood firmly by Callum's side, believing that an Alpha Prime would not be drugged into spending three days with an Omega. Robert Phillips shared the same thoughts as his friend Mallet and was concerned about Clarice's well-being. Both anticipated a complicated outcome, as Callum had postponed the marriage proposal they had proposed, revealing his unchecked ambition.
A sense of outrage swelled in Jared Phillips' chest. His eyes narrowed, and his voice practically shouted as he addressed Callum, "What do you mean by this? What is the meaning behind these words?"
Callum responded coldly, "It signifies the end of a cycle."
Jared's eyes sparked with anger as he asked, "So, it's the end of a cycle? I thought you were here to explain the scandalous three-day sexual involvement you had with an Omega. And now you say there are no apologies, no regrets, just the end of a cycle? All because of an Omega whose origin no one knows?"
Jared was furious, and sensing the tense atmosphere, Oliver intervened to try to alleviate the situation. However, Callum understood that ending an engagement was a painful process, and he sought ways to intervene and bring the matter to a close as quickly as possible.
"This marriage proposal was always a business partnership and an agreement to maintain appearances," Callum stated, feeling remorse for Clarice but aware that what had been done could not be changed.
He continued with an argumentative speech, asserting, "In ABO relationships, there is a need for belonging, and it implies attachment. There is a balance between giving and receiving. In our ABO system, we have a need for the order provided by convention and, to some extent, the predictability of pheromones. Although these abilities sometimes limit many relationships, they also make them possible, as they can reflect and meet the fundamental needs of an individual in an intimate relationship."
"Even as an Alpha Prime, these needs can restrict me, challenge me, demand obedience, coerce or control me for a moment or days. Our pheromones affect us, whether we want them to or not, as they put us in conflict with our personal desires and pleasures. Because of my status as an Alpha Prime, I cannot deny that pheromone bonding is a valid method of connection, as it goes beyond beliefs, prejudices, superstitions, classes, names, and money. Though rare, it is crucial for our survival and well-being."
"People cannot always choose the roles that destiny assigns them, but when it comes to pheromones, there is no right or wrong, guilty or innocent. Pheromones are manifestations of who we are."
Pheromones make us unique beings, and as Callum looks at Clarice, he feels the need to express his feelings sincerely. He takes a deep breath and addresses her with honesty:
"Clarice, I understand that my words and actions have caused you pain and confusion. I'm sorry for any suffering that has been caused during our relationship. I never wanted things to come to this point, and I acknowledge that there are things that cannot be changed. Please know that I respect you and value the moments we shared. I deeply regret any pain I may have caused you."
He looks into her eyes, seeking to convey his sincerity and remorse. Even though their relationship is coming to an end, Callum wants to make it clear that his feelings are genuine and that he regrets the negative impact his decisions have caused.
Clarice is left speechless, but at the same time, there is so much to say, so many things she could say and feels she should say.
To her, Callum is becoming an addictive habit, a love that functions on its own terms. It's all becoming too strange. She feels the darkness engulfing her.
Clarice realizes that all that love is like an iron anchor, not a remedy for her heart.
She gathers strength and determination from the depths of her soul, stands up, and walks out of the room towards her chambers without saying a word. She won't cry, scream, or humiliate herself in front of Callum Campbell.
Clarice's gesture surprises everyone, but it's a relief as the dignity and honor of the Phillips family remain intact.