CHAPTER 49: CHAPTER 49 THE MEANING OF TULIPS

Caroline’s POV

Another day passed in a blur. My mind kept replaying the scene with Draven in Joseph’s office yesterday. At night,I still cried into my pillow,hiding my tears from Eleanor.

Rory had been unusually quiet this morning.

"I’m not sulking. I’m just... hurt," she replied softly.

"Alaric called out to me,Caroline. I know you’re angry at Draven,and I won’t forgive them that easily either."

I sighed as I focused on preparing breakfast for Liam.

"Good goddess,you look terrible," Eleanor said,walking into the kitchen wearing her silk pajamas. She cupped my face between her hands,examining me. "The concealer is doing overtime,but it can’t hide everything. Have you slept at all?"

"I’m hanging on by a thread,Elle. Between work,Liam,and..." I trailed off,unable to even say his name.

The intercom buzzed,interrupting our conversation. Eleanor went to answer while I continued feeding Liam his cereal.

Watching my son eat,his tiny hands clutching the spoon,brought a smile to my face. His beautiful violet eyes,so like someone else’s,sparkled with innocence as he babbled happily.

"You’re mommy’s heart,little wolf," I whispered to him,and he responded by clapping his hands and blowing me a sloppy kiss. The simple gesture filled my chest with warmth.

"Carrie,delivery for you." Eleanor appeared holding an enormous arrangement of red tulips,perfectly tied with a crimson ribbon.

My breath caught,I’d never received flowers before,not even from Marcus.

I helped Liam down from his chair and walked to the living room,holding his little hand in mine.

"These are absolutely stunning," Eleanor breathed,her eyes wide with appreciation. "Let me guess who sent them. You’re not going to throw them away,right? Because if you are,I’ll take them for the living room."

"The flowers are innocent in all this," I said,looking at them. "Is there a card?"

Eleanor handed me a small envelope.

Inside was a note written in Draven’s bold,confident handwriting:

[My beloved Caroline,

Tulips symbolize perfect love,and you are my perfect love,the woman who has captured my heart completely. I was a fool. I made an unforgivable mistake,and I will spend every remaining day proving how deeply I regret hurting you. Even if it takes forever,I won’t give up on us.

Always yours,Draven]

Tears blurred my vision before I could finish reading. Eleanor gently took the card from my trembling hands,scanning it quickly before pulling me into a comforting embrace.

"That arrogant Alpha," I sobbed against her shoulder. "He thinks he can just... just send flowers and everything will be fine?"

"But you want to forgive him," Rory whispered in my mind."I can feel your heart softening."

"Stay out of this," I shot back.

"It’s obvious you love him,Carrie," Eleanor said,echoing my wolf’s sentiment. "And that stubborn Alpha clearly loves you too. Maybe you should consider—"

"Elle,you heard what he said to me. The accusations,the distrust... I can’t just pretend that didn’t happen."

"He’s suffering too," she pointed out. "And he seems genuinely sorry."

"Good," I muttered petulantly. "Let him suffer. I bet by next week he’ll have moved on to his next conquest."

"I wouldn’t count on it," Eleanor said,studying me carefully. "What if he doesn’t give up? What if he keeps fighting for you?"

"He will give up eventually," I insisted,wiping away my tears. "Now help me get Liam ready for daycare before we’re both late for work."

Before we reached the Puma Global offices,my phone had already vibrated with over twenty call attempts. Draven was relentlessly trying to reach me,and I rejected every single one.

When I reached my cubicle,my new supervisor approached with his stride.

"Morning,Caroline! Holding up okay?" Mr. Reeves asked,his expression concerned.

"I’m fine,Mr. Reeves,thank you for asking," I replied with a smile.

"Excellent! I need you to join me for an important presentation this afternoon. We’ve got a new client interested in our security software package,and I’d like you to prepare the proposal." he added with an encouraging smile.

"I’d be happy to,sir. I’ll have the presentation ready and send it over for your review," I responded,grateful for the distraction work would provide.

The morning passed quickly as I immersed myself in the proposal.

Several colleagues stopped by to chat,and Ruby insisted I join her for coffee. The warm reception at Puma Global continued to surprise me,I’d never expected such a welcoming environment.

"This is what a healthy workplace feels like," Rory commented. "Maybe we can actually build something here."

By lunchtime,Mr. Reeves was praising my proposal,calling me "exactly the asset this team needed."

After a pleasant lunch with Ruby and some other colleagues from my department,Mr. Reeves summoned me for our meeting.

As we rode the elevator,he explained more about the software we’d be presenting,an integrated corporate system that monitored inconsistencies across departments,creating transparency and accountability throughout an organization.

I couldn’t help thinking that Thorne Enterprises could benefit from such a system,given the financial irregularities Draven had mentioned.

"After you," Mr. Reeves said,holding the door to the conference room open for me.

The moment I stepped inside,I froze. A familiar cedar and musk scent hit me first– powerful,masculine,and unmistakable.

Draven Thorne was sitting at the conference table,looking as devastatingly handsome as ever in his tailored suit,those intense violet eyes locking with mine.