Chapter 6 You Should Know Your Place

The following morning arrived.

Caitlin wrapped up her morning routine and stepped into the hall, bumping into Shawn right as he left his room. She shot him a bright smile and waved. "Good morning, sweetheart. Looks like our timing's perfect. Let me take you down for breakfast."

Without a word, Shawn allowed her to step behind his chair. For once, he didn't complain about being pushed.

Caitlin had braced herself for another grumpy protest, but the guy just let her take charge?

Was he scheming something now?

She rolled Shawn into the dining room, where everyone else had already claimed their seats. Only two spots remained open.

Nikolas spotted them and wasted no time throwing shade. "First day as a member of this family, and you're already making the elders wait for food? Someone thinks pretty highly of herself!"

"Let's be fair, Nik," Betsy chimed in, not missing a beat. "With her background, expecting perfect manners is a stretch."

Their comments were a not-so-subtle dig at Caitlin's upbringing.

Caitlin just laughed to herself, refusing to take the bait. She maneuvered Shawn to his place at the table and parked the wheelchair.

When Nikolas saw she wasn't reacting, he scowled at her. "Hey, I'm talking to you. Did you hear what I said?"

Ignoring him, Caitlin helped Shawn with his breakfast. She turned to him with a gentle smile. "You must be wiped out from last night. Eat a little more, okay?"

Shawn shot her a cold look, as if he was trying to figure out her game.

Her words didn't go unnoticed around the table.

At the head, Harold observed Caitlin with mild curiosity. He'd never thought much of her looks, but managing to cozy up to Shawn this quickly was no small feat.

Beside him, Brea Harris-Shawn's mother-tensed at Caitlin's words but then offered a careful smile. "Shawn's never let anyone else handle his chair before. You two must have gotten along last night."

Caitlin instantly recognized the elegant woman as Shawn's mom. The file had mentioned she'd kept her distance from Shawn ever since his father passed away.

Nothing about their reactions surprised her.

Caitlin flashed a confident smile. "I'm not just anyone else. Shawn and I are a couple now. Isn't that right, Shawn?"

Shawn didn't say a word. Instead, he started eating the piece of toast she'd just placed on his plate, handling each bite with calm precision.

Nobody at the table moved. The sight of Shawn actually eating food Caitlin served left them stunned.

Nikolas rolled his eyes and let out a low chuckle. "Guess Shawn's desperate for attention now. Willing to eat whatever this plain Jane dishes out."

"What matters is that she's family now. If Shawn's okay with her, that's enough for me," said Betsy, playing the peacemaker.

Nikolas insisted, "She comes from nobodies and barely turns a head. How did Shawn end up settling for this?"

The jab sounded like it was meant for Caitlin, but it was clear he was trying to stir Shawn up.

Fork in hand, Caitlin looked right at Nikolas. "So, trashing my looks is the best you've got? Maybe your manners aren't much better than mine."

"Where's the lie? If women with any real status wanted Shawn, you'd still be nowhere near this family," Nikolas responded without hesitation. "You should know your place. Hide your face instead of embarrassing everyone. Shawn deserves better."

Caitlin laughed, sharp and unbothered. "If the Harris family can raise a fool and actually brag about it, why should I hide my face?"

The room fell silent for a moment.

Nikolas slapped his palm against the table and shot up from his chair. "I dare you to repeat that!"

Brea's expression tightened. "Miss White, you could try showing a bit more respect. Or do you not know how?"

Betsy spoke in a soothing voice. "Let's not make this worse. Miss White, just apologize to Nikolas."

Unfazed, Caitlin retorted, "Maybe you need your ears checked, and your head too. Besides, you guys started with the insults. If you can't take it, maybe you should think before you speak."

Finally, Caitlin turned to Shawn and gave him a half-smile. "You know, I am your wife now. They keep calling me Miss White, but that really doesn't fit, does it?"