Chapter 72

Thea's mind raced as she replied to Joyce's message:

Thea: [I just got home. I had to work overtime today and haven't tested yet. What's up?]

A second later, Joyce called. As soon as they connected, Joyce launched into an angry tirade. "Seriously, your boss is outrageous for making you work overtime! Why don't you come work with me? It's nine to five, four days on, three days off, and I'll pay you top dollar. I appreciate your work ethic."

Thea felt helpless and gently reminded her, "Joyce, my boss is Nicolas."

Joyce's anger subsided, but she weakly added, "So what if it's Nicolas? I'm still winning you over."

Then, Joyce exclaimed, "Right! I just remembered! I wanted to tell you something about Nicolas. He's been so reserved all these years, and it's the first time I've heard gossip about him. I rushed to tell you the moment I found out."

Hearing it was about Nicolas, Thea's heart inexplicably raced. Anxiously fiddling with her shirt hem, she asked, "What is it? Did he get married, or did someone discover a hidden relationship?"

"How could that be? It's not that explosive!" Joyce laughed.

Thea felt relieved, trying to appear disinterested, but her ears perked up.

"Actually," Joyce continued, "I just found out he had a first crush abroad. Not many people know—my dad's one of them. He got drunk today, and I managed to get it out of him. Years ago, this woman saved Nicolas abroad, and his gratitude turned into affection." At this, Thea was distracted, suddenly recalling Jake's words: Nicolas already had a beloved woman. At the time, Thea hadn't taken it seriously. After all, if that were true, he wouldn't have proposed to her.

Joyce, oblivious to Thea's unease, continued chattering, "I'm bringing this up because that woman returned to Reasnatan today."

It took Thea a moment to find her voice. With reluctance, she asked, "Does he really love her? Then why haven't they been together or married after all this time?"

Joyce perked up. "I heard she's career-oriented and doesn't want to date, which is why Nicolas has waited for her for so long. But she probably can't wait any longer. According to my dad, Stefan's health is deteriorating, and he's threatening Nicolas to hurry up and get married, or he'll refuse treatment. This—"

Thea opened her mouth but couldn't speak, her throat tightening with bitterness. "Everything makes sense now. No wonder he agreed to my marriage proposal. No wonder he kept it hidden. No wonder he drank so much today. No wonder he keeps testing me about my feelings for Jake. It's because that woman in his heart has returned."

Chapter 72

Despite anticipating this, Thea felt an indescribable sadness.

"Thea? Thea?" Joyce's voice broke through her thoughts.

Thea hastily made an excuse and hung up. She gazed at the pitch-black sky and sighed. Her thoughts drifted back to her time in Yurtinas, where she seemed to have saved someone—dirty, silent, seemingly mute. 'What happened to that person?' she wondered.

Meanwhile, in the cemetery, Nicolas stood before a tombstone, his expression solemn and tinged with sadness. SEND GIFT