Chapter 10

Chapter 10

She called Asher.

He answered quickly, his voice gentle. “Found a favorite among those gowns, Lia?”

“Yes,” she replied. “Which one do you prefer?”

She heard his soft chuckle. “Didn’t I say to get all three? My assistant’s already secured them.”

“That fast? I just posted.”

“Limited editions sell out quickly. Wouldn’t want to miss them.”

“Thank you, Asher.”

“Lia, you’re my fiancée now. We’re family. No need for thanks.”

True enough, but she couldn’t quite step into the fiancée role yet. In her heart, Asher was still the patient

tutor from next door.

“By the way, getting around New York by Uber must be tiresome. I’ve arranged for a car. Just send me the address for delivery.”

Thalia felt a pang of guilt. Asher must know why she’d fled to New York to escape their arranged marriage, why her father had cut off her accounts.

She’d been living like any other working professional in New York–no car, no property.

Her London friends had offered to “sponsor” her, but she’d refused.

She’d only accepted help for those first two months, paying them back as soon as she started earning.

Now here was Asher, the very person she’d run from, offering her a car without a hint of resentment.

Shame tightened her grip on the phone.

“Really, ride–sharing is fine.”

A hint of hurt crept into Asher’s voice. “Are you still so reluctant about our engagement?”

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Gold Digger is Actually A

9.2%

Chapter 10

head instinctively, then remembered he couldn’t see

engagement because I want to. I just… I’m coming back to

car seems unnecessary.”

matter. We can have it

“But-”

court appearance in Jersey next week? Driving would be easier.”

in

know about that?”

about it two months ago.”

Thalia paused.

made a casual Instagram post joking about the

a warm smile. “Having a car would make it more

area after court.”

his London office overlooking the city lights, Asher’s expression softened.

ago, learning about her modest life in New York, he’d wanted desperately to help–buy her a car, an apartment, anything.

different. Their engagement finally gave him the right to

shift in her chest at his words, like ripples spreading

posts were set to delete after three days. Sometimes she

paid attention to

she’d explicitly told him about business trips, he’d still call on the day, confused about

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Chapter to

mentioned wanting to travel so many times, but Drake never seemed to care. Places she’d wanted to

this was what it felt like to be truly noticed.

and gave him the Tribeca

morning? I’ll have it delivered then.”

“Yes I will.”

up, Drake returned–with

watching TV in the living room, barely glancing at

said nothing, but Sienna spoke up: “Thalia, we meet again.”

the sofa, eyes fixed on the true crime documentary, ignoring

sat down. “Such serious viewing habits.”

shower,” Drake announced, heading upstairs. Unclear who he was talking to.

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