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.”

gates, hesitating. Sensing her reluctance, Asher didn’t

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

housekeeper of fifteen years, opened the door and

home?”

voice cracked with

throat tightened as she nodded.

your father right away.”

“He’s not here?”

Your stepmother’s at

exhaled in

stepmother, half–sister, and the father she’d been at odds with

left it, immaculately maintained. Someone had clearly

daily.

unpacking and showering, she heard Mrs. Clarke’s knock. “Miss Thalia? What would you like for

dinner?”

the door with a slight smile. “The usual, please.”

Mrs. Clarke

up, loving her like a daughter. She’d been the one to carry young Thalia in from the snow the

neglecting his daughter, Mrs.

Clarke who coaxed her to

might not have survived that

15:55

is Actually A True

17.6%

Chapter 18

her father in

beautifully wrapped

make some for

is for you. I’ve had plenty. I wanted you to try

“I couldn’t possibly-”

hands. “Please. After everything you’ve done

offer.”

welled up. “Miss Thalia…”

as a small girl ran forward,

looked up at her half–sister,

couldn’t help associating Lucy with

to be cruel to such a sweet child who

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

Comments ()

0/255