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.”

stood at the gates, hesitating. Sensing

the bell. Three years ago, she’d left without her keys. Now she needed to be buzzed

of fifteen years, opened the door and froze. “Miss… Miss Thalia?

home?”

voice cracked with emotion.

as

call your father right

“He’s not here?”

He’s at the office. Your stepmother’s at Lucy’s school

in

breathe before facing them all–her stepmother, half–sister, and the father she’d been at odds with for years. Each relationship was

exactly as she’d left it, immaculately

daily.

she heard Mrs. Clarke’s knock. “Miss Thalia? What would

dinner?”

opened the door with a slight smile.

course!” Mrs. Clarke

daughter. She’d been the one to carry young Thalia in from the snow

Rosalind’s death, neglecting his daughter, Mrs. Clarke had stayed at Thalia’s hospital bedside through her fever.

in her grief, it was Mrs. Clarke who coaxed her to eat, who held her through the worst nights.

Mrs. Clarke, Thalia might not have survived

15:55

Gold Digger is Actually A

17.6%

Chapter 18

spoken to her father in three years, she’d still called Mrs.

handed her a beautifully wrapped package. “The finest tea from New York’s best shop.”

some for you tonight-”

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

“I couldn’t possibly-”

After everything you’ve done

offer.”

Clarke’s eyes welled up.

back!” A young voice rang out as a small girl ran forward, throwing her arms around

so much!” Eight–year–old Lucy Winters looked up at her half–sister, eyes shining with joy.

had always adored Thalia, though Thalia remained distant. She couldn’t help associating Lucy with Victoria, her stepmother–her mother’s former best friend.

Thalia couldn’t bring herself to be cruel to such a sweet child who only wanted

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