Chapter 612
Juniper lowered the cardboard box to the dusty floor, her movements freezing as the flickering television screen caught her eye. The news anchor was announcing a health update of the prince. Dominick had recovered fully and had returned to the palace last night.
She was relieved to hear the news, but it was quickly followed by a heaviness. She was grateful he was alive and well, but the reality stung her. She couldn’t even send a message, let alone see him. To him, she was a shadow he wished to forget; he despised her very presence.
She turned back to her work, stacking jam bottles onto the shelf to drown out her thoughts.
“You’ve been working for over twelve hours, Juniper. That’s enough,” he said in unusually soft voice. He held out a thick envelope. “You should go home and take some rest. This is your payment for the month p>
“Thank you,” Juniper said, forcing a small, weary smile as she took the envelope.
“Buy something for yourself on the way back,” he suggested, giving her a fatherly nod. “You look like you need a win p>
“Yes, thank you, sir,” Juniper stated, tucking the envelope into her bag.
As she stepped out of the store, the sharp morning air hit her face, stinging her cheeks. She pulled her cap lower and adjusted her gloves, breaking into a light jog to get home. The physical exertion helped distract her from the crushing news about Dominick.
When she reached the small house, she paused. The air was charged with a scent she recognized immediately. It was presence of a Beta.
Pushing the door open, she found Karmen standing in the center of the living room, looking as stoic and formal as ever.
“What are you doing here?” Juniper asked, her brow furrowing with suspicion.
“You’ve returned. Good,” Karmen said, straightening his posture. “Take a seat. I have an important message for you from Prince Gabriel p>
Juniper didn’t argue. She felt the weight of her twelve-hour shift in her knees as she sank into the sofa chair across from him as he sat on the sofa.
“Ophelia is dead,” Karmen stated. “Prince Gabriel wants you to vacate this house. He is granting you your freedom; you can go your own way and live on your own terms p>
“What if I want to live here?” Juniper asked.
“I can’t allow that,” Karmen answered firmly. “This property belongs to Prince Gabriel. If you want to negotiate, you’ll have to take it up with him directly p>
Juniper’s heart hammered against her ribs. This was the opening she hadn’t expected. “Will I be allowed to see him?” she inquired, her eyes searching Karmen’s for any sign of a chance.
“I can call him and ask,” Karmen replied. He pulled out his phone and dialed. After a few rings, the connection clicked open. “Gabriel, are you free? Juniper wishes to talk to you. Should I bring her to the palace p>
“No, just put her on the call,” Gabriel’s voice came through.
“Alright.” Karmen laid the phone on the coffee table between them and tapped the speaker icon. “You can talk,” he stated, glancing at Juniper.
“Gabriel, can I not stay in this house? I’ll pay you rent,” Juniper said with a desperate kind of practical plea. “My job is right nearby. I promise I won’t bother any of you. You won’t even know I’m here p>
“I think you should find another apartment for yourself, Juniper,” Gabriel answered without a hint of hesitation. “I’ll be leaving for San Ravendale soon, and I don’t wish for any troubles left in my wake p>
Juniper felt her last hope to have a stable life had finally ended.
“Fine. I’ll vacate the house by this evening,” Juniper stated, her voice trembling slightly. She didn’t wait for a goodbye; she stood up and walked toward her bedroom to start packing the few belongings she owned.
Karmen watched her go before switching off the speaker and bringing the device back to his ear. “I think Juniper deserves a chance, Gabriel,” he said softly, his voice low so she wouldn’t hear. “She’s working twelve-hour shifts at a grocery store. She’s trying p>
“Yeah. And I gave her a chance,” Gabriel affirmed, his tone hardening. “I haven’t forgotten what she said about Noah, Karmen. I never will. She made her choice back then, and I’m making mine now p>
“I get it. Don’t be angry,” Karmen told him, and the call disconnected.
He stood there for a moment, the silence of the house suddenly feeling very heavy. He walked toward the open bedroom door and paused in the threshold. Juniper was hunched over a small bag on the bed, her shoulders shaking as she wiped tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand. She was shoving her few pieces of clothing into the bag with a numb, frantic energy.
“Did you ever buy yourself a phone?” Karmen asked, his voice softening.
“No,” Juniper whispered, not looking up. She took a shuddering breath and finally turned around to meet his gaze, her eyes red-rimmed but determined. “Can I see Dominick? Just once p>
Karmen’s expression remained neutral, but he didn’t pull away.
“I have to talk to him about the alimony,” she added quickly, her voice gaining a bit of a defensive edge. “I won’t stay long. I just… I need to settle that p>
Karmen furrowed his brows.
“Sure,” he said, stepping back to let her pass. “Come with me p>
Juniper gripped the handles of her bag tightly.
“Keep it here,” Karmen told her, nodding toward the small table by the door. “You can come back and take it in the evening once you’ve found a place. Carrying that into the palace won’t look right p>
Juniper hesitated, then nodded and set the bag down. She felt strangely exposed without it, but she followed him out of the house. A black car was idling at the curb. Karmen gestured for her to get into the passenger side before he slid into the driver’s seat.