Chapter 241:

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Of course, the estate and ten thousand gold coins the King had granted me could buy half of Magnolia Street. But that money was a royal gift. Using it would attract unnecessary political attention and suspicion. It was my emergency fund—not to be used lightly for a business investment.

There was a knock on the study door. Demetri wheeled himself in. He raised an eyebrow when he saw my troubled expression.

“What problem has my strategist encountered?” he asked, a hint of teasing in his voice, breaking the room’s heavy silence.

I didn’t hide it. I told him about my day of house hunting and the financial predicament I was in.

I thought he would offer to help, or at least give me some advice.

However, after hearing my story, Demetri’s face showed a complex expression—a mixture of understanding, confusion, and searching inquiry.

He was silent for a moment, then asked in a tentative tone, “Haven, I remember you said before that this is your way of achieving self-worth. I understand it’s important to you, but I still want to confirm—are you truly enjoying this process, or is it just because you don’t trust the security I provide?”

His question stunned me.

He continued, his tone sincere but still stubborn, “The entire wealth of the Contreras family is yours. Every gold coin in the vault, you can take as you please. Whichever house you like, I can have Silas buy it tomorrow and put it in your name. I just… can’t understand why you insist on choosing the harder path.”

I looked at him, realizing for the first time that there was a huge chasm between us, one that couldn’t be easily crossed with words.

𝗪𝘩𝖺𝘁 𝘦𝘷𝖾𝘳𝗒𝗈ne i𝘴 𝗿𝖾𝖺𝗱𝗂𝗇g 𝗼ո 𝘨аl𝗻𝗼𝘷е𝗅𝗌.соm

In his world, he was the Alpha, the predator, the leader of the family. Providing everything for his mate was his duty and his honor. He couldn’t understand why I wanted to “work.”

And in the world I came from, economic independence was the foundation of personal independence. To rely on someone else’s wealth was to put a collar around my own neck and hand the leash to another.

Demetri Contreras POV

I watched Haven’s complicated expression, my confusion deepening. I could swear there was a mix of disappointment, helplessness, and even a hint of anger in her eyes that I had never seen before. Why? I offered her everything I had—why wasn’t she happy? This was beyond my comprehension.

Haven Kramer POV

I took a deep breath, trying to explain. “Demetri, this isn’t about money. It’s about self-worth. I need a career of my own, to create value with my own abilities, not just exist as the Alpha’s mate.”

He frowned, clearly still not fully understanding. “Your value doesn’t need to be proven this way. You healed me, you advised the Pack council. You are already the most valuable member of this family.”

He paused, then added, “By the way, your strategy was a great success. Arthur Baldwin left for the northern border today. As a reward, the council passed my proposal to fill the funding gap for the warriors and added an extra twenty percent.”

He thought this good news would cheer me up.

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