Chapter 48

Thea lacked the energy even to mock Jake's audacity. Hearing his plan to take her to Stefan nearly brought her to her knees.

Before she could utter, "Are you insane?", Jake seized her hand and pulled her forward. She struggled, her wrist reddening from his grip, but he wouldn't let go.

At the door, Jake shouted, "Grandpa!"

Thea's face paled, and she hung her head. Footsteps approached, but the voice that greeted them wasn't Stefan's. Nicolas stood there, his gaze icy. He glanced at Jake's grip on Thea's wrist, then said, his voice as frigid as frost, "Dad's resting. What do you want with him?" Thea exhaled in relief.

But a second later, Jake spoke again. "If Grandpa's not here, I'll ask you. I want permission to marry Thea. The Rowland and Hendrix marriage remains as planned." A cold chuckle escaped Nicolas as his eyes narrowed. He didn't answer, instead turning his gaze to Thea.

Though Nicolas didn't seem angry, Thea felt a suffocating pressure, as if a hand were clenching her heart.

Driven by instinct, Thea wrenched her wrist free and blurted, "Mr. Hendrix, I never agreed to this! Jake's forcing me. I don't want to marry him!"

Jake shot her a furious look and snapped, "Thea, this is your last chance. If you continue causing trouble, there will be nothing between us. Don't even think about marrying me." Nicolas nodded slightly, his voice calm but sharp. "Exactly. This is your last chance. If you say the word, I can ensure you marry Jake…or get rid of me now."

Thea's head snapped up in shock. "What does he mean? Aren't we already married? Is he trying to…?" she wondered.

A torrent of thoughts overwhelmed her, tightening her chest and stinging her eyes. For a moment, she was speechless.

Jake smirked, satisfied. He knew it. Thea wouldn't give him up. She's just too stubborn, spoiled by my leniency all these years. That's why she's so inflated now, Jake thought.

Meanwhile, Nicolas' eyes grew colder.

Nicolas was about to speak when Thea finally said, her voice laced with quiet despair, "I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I will never marry Jake, not even over my dead body. He has betrayed me. From now on, he has nothing to do with me."

"Thea!" Jake's voice trembled with barely controlled rage.

He was about to retort when Nicolas raised a hand, the icy edge in his gaze softening slightly. "She's made herself clear. There's no point in forcing it. Respect her decision and go get some rest."

Jake, unwilling to surrender, continued, "Thea and I have been together for so long. I don't believe she has any feelings for me. Thea, can you swear, right now, that you don't feel a thing for me anymore?" Thea lowered her head, lost in thought, barely hearing him.

Nicolas glanced at her, his fingers tightening, the sharpness returning to his eyes. "Didn't you hear what she said?"

Jake opened his mouth to argue, but Nicolas' expression silenced him. Despite his resentment of Nicolas' control, Jake couldn't deny the fear his uncle inspired.

With a dark look, Jake left, defeated and furious.