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.”

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

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

the door

home?”

voice cracked with emotion.

throat tightened as she

I’ll call your father right away.”

“He’s not here?”

Your stepmother’s at Lucy’s school

in

father she’d been at odds with

exactly as she’d left it, immaculately maintained. Someone had clearly

daily.

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

dinner?”

door with a slight smile.

course!” Mrs. Clarke

loving her like a daughter. She’d been the one

Mrs. Clarke

Thalia refused food in her grief, it was Mrs. Clarke who coaxed her to eat, who

might not have survived that period.

15:55

is Actually A True

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Chapter 18

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

something.” Thalia handed her a beautifully wrapped package. “The

I’ll make some for you tonight-”

is for you. I’ve

“I couldn’t possibly-”

her hands. “Please. After everything you’ve done for me, it’s the least I can

offer.”

Clarke’s eyes welled

small girl

Lucy Winters looked up at her half–sister,

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

herself to be cruel to such a sweet child who only

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