Dumping My Fiancé For His Uncle By Danielle Sayers

Chapter 2

"What is wrong with you to call off the marriage with the Hendrix family?" Ivy Rowland pointed at Thea, scolding, right after Thea got back to the Rowland mansion. "The Hendrix family is big league. Can't you just pretend nothing happened? Ditching the engagement will drag our name through the mud," Ivy continued.

Thea, feeling hot under the collar and as uncomfortable as ever, pulled a face and shot back, "Mum, if Emmalie was in my shoes, would you have made her stick it out?"

Ivy, slightly irked, retorted, "Always dragging Emmalie into this when you mess up. Do you think she'd be as lost as you? She even told me yesterday how much she missed you. What's with the attitude now?" Thea couldn't help but scoff, "That's all Emmalie's sweet talk to keep you in the dark."

Ivy, trying to cool down, snapped, "Enough. Pull yourself together. Emmalie will be back tonight, and you're not skipping the welcome-back banquet tomorrow. The Hendrix family's on the guest list, too."

Thea suddenly stared at Ivy, her eyes tinting red. "Mum, I think I'm sick. Can we go to the hospital?"

Ivy just gave her a cold stare, visibly annoyed. Thea managed a weak smile, fighting back tears, and hurried upstairs to be alone with her thoughts.

Ivy's voice trailed after her, filled with frustration. "I can't believe I raised a daughter who plays sick whenever things get tough. Why couldn't it have been her that got lost?

"My sweet Emmalie has been through so much, and here I've been, pouring my heart into raising Thea, only for her to turn out so selfish and moody. Anyway, Emmalie's coming back. Let's go check on the soup I made for her in the kitchen." Thea's limbs were numb and cold, just like her heart. Ever since that thing happened when she was sixteen, she had become the family's black sheep, always on the fringes.

There was a time when being sad wasn't really in her vocabulary because she had someone by her side, someone who'd smile at her like the sun breaking through the clouds. His eyes sparkled whenever he looked at her. He made her promises.

"Thea, I'm sticking by you forever."

"Think of me as your family now,"

"I'm going to love you for all my days, and I won't let anything hurt you, not even a little."

feeling sad. She brushed it off like it was nothing. But old memories had a way of crashing back in, like a tidal wave she didn't see coming. Suddenly, she was hit with the realization that those old hurts hadn't healed. They

strength she had left falling apart, she found herself curled up in a ball at the corner of

*****

the banquet with her choice of a

lips that popped against her pale skin. Her features were gentle and understated, yet this chilly, detached vibe came from her eyes. That mix of red lips with the

her side, spotted a bold

it, someone gently grabbed her from behind, pulling

today, it's only natural she'd want to spruce up and look her best," Emmalie said,

Thea in her moods. Honestly, I'd worry way less

chimed in, praising

Rowland family had two daughters and

Emmalie, had a rough start, getting kidnapped as a kid, but she bounced back incredibly, turning out super smart and

a VP position at the International Piano

up to become a young vice president at the Rowland Group, while the other son was the family's surprise packet, having set up a new venture overseas. Then there was Thea. She became the black sheep, notorious for her troubling past with bullying both at

sighed and said with a hint of irony, "Seems like Thea isn't

always on alert, had seen Emmalie approaching, set her glass down, and turned to

push me?" scenario. Thea was heading to the restroom to freshen up her lipstick. It was only when she reached the

The lady's face was flushed red, her halter dress

with his back to Thea, his tall and slender figure

overheard the woman's soft plea. "President Hendrix, I think I've hurt

at a party like this? Unheard of. What's he doing here?' Thea wondered. Mulling over his known temper and dark

killed the call before looking up and locking eyes