Chapter 18

After taking photos, Asher handed back her phone, his expression carefully neutral. “You have a message”

“Ohp”

Thalia opened it, her face stiffening at Drake’s words. She knew message previews appeared automatically–Asher must have seen it.

She glanced back at him nervously, explaining, “My ex. We’ve broken up.”

“I see.” Asher’s expression remained impassive, his eyes unreadable.

“I’ve blocked him on everything else–forgot about his number.”

Thalia felt oddly flustered. She was twenty–five; having an ex–boyfriend was perfectly normal. Besides, she’d dated Drake before agreeing to the arrangement with Asher. She had nothing to feel guilty about.

Realizing this, she calmed herself. “I’ll block him now.”

She did so immediately, with Asher watching.

“Trust me,” she added, “once I agreed to our arrangement, any past relationships became exactly

that–past.”

Asher nodded, his dark eyes still inscrutable. But as Thalia turned away, the faintest smile played at his

lips.

After several days of exploring the city together, it was time to return to London.

She hadn’t told her family she was coming home, so no one from the Winters household was at the

airport.

Instead, Asher’s assistant met them with a black Rolls–Royce Cullinan.

“Shall I come in with you?” Asher asked as they pulled up to the Winters estate.

Thalia shook her head. “No need.”

“Alright.”

the gates, hesitating. Sensing

bell. Three years ago, she’d left without her keys. Now she

years, opened the door and froze. “Miss… Miss Thalia? You’re

home?”

voice cracked with emotion.

tightened as she

your father right away.”

“He’s not here?”

the office. Your stepmother’s

in relief.

to breathe before facing them all–her stepmother, half–sister, and the father she’d

as she’d left it, immaculately maintained.

daily.

knock. “Miss

dinner?”

a slight smile.

Clarke

been the one to carry young Thalia

daughter, Mrs. Clarke had stayed at Thalia’s hospital

Mrs. Clarke who coaxed her to eat,

might not have survived

15:55

Digger is Actually A

17.6%

Chapter 18

to her father in three

handed her a beautifully wrapped package. “The finest tea

make some for you

shook her head. “This is for you. I’ve had plenty. I wanted you to

“I couldn’t possibly-”

the gift into her hands. “Please. After everything

offer.”

eyes welled up. “Miss Thalia…”

out as a small

Winters looked up at her half–sister, eyes

adored Thalia, though Thalia remained distant. She couldn’t help associating Lucy with Victoria,

feelings about Victoria, Thalia couldn’t bring herself to be cruel to

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255