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."

old memories had a way of crashing back in, like a tidal wave she didn't see coming.

curled up in a ball at the corner of the stairs, hugging her knees and

*****

at the banquet with her choice of a dark

hair flowed behind her like seaweed, paired with these striking red lips that popped against her pale skin. Her features were gentle and understated,

ladies with Emmalie by her side, spotted a bold figure lurking in the background, and her eyes popped wide

about to lose it, someone gently grabbed her

it's only natural

helpless tap on her nose. "You're the only one who really spoils Thea in her

everyone around chimed in, praising Emmalie for being

family had two daughters

a kid, but she bounced back incredibly, turning out super smart and

at the International

the Rowland Group, while the other son was the family's surprise packet, having

the tension, sighed and said with a hint of irony, "Seems like

alert, had seen Emmalie approaching, set

up her lipstick. It was only when she reached the restroom that she heard a strange wailing sound. Thea paused, sneaking a peek around the corner with a mix

The lady's face was flushed red, her halter dress slipping to reveal more skin

back to Thea, his tall and slender figure

overheard the woman's soft plea. "President Hendrix, I think I've hurt my leg. Could you check it

like this? Unheard of. What's he doing here?' Thea wondered. Mulling over his known temper and dark reputation, Thea decided she wanted no part of

before looking up and