Chapter 10

She called Asher. He answered quickly, his voice gentle. "Found a favorite among those gowns, Lia?"

"Yes," she replied. "Which one do you prefer?"

She heard his soft chuckle. "Didn't I say to get all three? My assistant's already secured them."

"That fast? I just posted."

"Limited editions sell out quickly. Wouldn't want to miss them."

"Thank you, Asher."

"Lia, you're my fiancée now. We're family. No need for thanks."

True enough, but she couldn't quite embrace the fiancée role yet. In her heart, Asher was still the patient tutor from next door.

"By the way, getting around New York by Uber must be tiresome. I've arranged for a car. Just send me the delivery address."

A pang of guilt struck Thalia. Asher must know why she'd fled to New York to escape their arranged marriage, why her father had cut off her accounts. She'd been living like any other working professional in New York—no car, no property. Her London friends had offered to support her, but she'd refused, accepting help only for the first two months and repaying them promptly. Now, Asher, the very person she'd run from, offered her a car without resentment.

Shame tightened her grip on the phone. "Really, ride-sharing is fine."

A hint of hurt crept into Asher's voice. "Are you still reluctant about our engagement?"

Thalia shook her head instinctively, then remembered he couldn't see her. "No, Asher. I agreed to this engagement because I want to. I just… I'm coming back to London in a few days anyway. A car seems unnecessary."

"No matter. We can have it shipped back."

"But—"

"Don't you have that court appearance in Jersey next week? Driving would be easier."

Thalia blinked in surprise. "How did you know about that?"

"You posted about it two months ago."

Thalia paused. The hearing was indeed scheduled for September 25th at the circuit court in New Jersey. She'd made a casual Instagram post joking about the "business trip," planning to try that famous ramen place and perhaps do some sightseeing.

Asher's voice carried a warm smile. "Having a car would make it more convenient. You could explore the area after court."

Standing in his London office overlooking the city lights, Asher's expression softened. Three years ago, learning about her modest life in New York, he'd desperately wanted to help—buy her a car, an apartment, anything. But he'd had no right then; any gifts would have been refused. Now things were different. Their engagement finally gave him the right to care for her properly.

Thalia felt something shift within her, like ripples spreading across still water. Her Instagram posts were set to delete after three days. Sometimes she forgot what she'd posted, yet Asher remembered every detail. Drake had never paid such attention. Even when she explicitly told him about business trips, he'd still call, confused about her absence. She'd mentioned wanting to travel countless times, but Drake never seemed to care. Places she'd wanted to visit two years ago remained unseen.

So this was what it felt like to be truly noticed. Thalia stopped resisting and gave him the Tribeca address.

"You'll be home tomorrow morning? I'll have it delivered then."

"Yes, I will."

Shortly after hanging up, Drake returned—with Sienna. Thalia was watching TV in the living room, barely glancing at them. Drake said nothing, but Sienna spoke up: "Thalia, we meet again."

Thalia lounged on the sofa, eyes fixed on the true crime documentary, ignoring her. Unfazed, Sienna sat down. "Such serious viewing habits."

"Going to shower," Drake announced, heading upstairs.

"You saw the video," Sienna said, dropping her smile once Drake left. "Drake loves me."

Thalia nodded absently, eyes still on the TV. "Noted."

Her indifference irritated Sienna. "Playing it cool? Let's see how long that lasts."

"You'd know about playing parts," Thalia replied coldly.

Sienna scoffed, heading upstairs. "Drake, let's shower together." She threw Thalia a challenging look, wasted on her disinterested target.

At dinner, Drake and Sienna sat together, Thalia alone. Rosa set down a plate of steamed broccoli. "That's everything."

Thalia frowned. "Rosa, why only these?" The table was covered in green: lettuce, spinach, kale, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cucumber salad.

"Sienna prefers vegetables," Drake said flatly.

"Prefers vegetables?" Thalia's smile was sharp. "Or marking her territory in green?"

"Thalia! What's wrong with you?" Drake's face darkened. "Watch your mouth!"

Thalia's eyes fixed on the obvious hickey on his neck. Sienna had left it there deliberately. Thalia smiled sweetly at Drake's anger. "Are you sure I'm the one who needs watching?"

Drake glowered. "Eat or don't. And Sienna's staying here for a while. Get used to vegetarian dinners or cook for yourself." They had a housekeeper, but Drake wouldn't allow extra dishes. She remembered he'd never been fond of purely vegetarian meals before. He'd rather inconvenience himself than spare her feelings. She knew he was still angry about the watch, but she felt no need to explain or apologize. She hadn't done anything wrong.

Thalia set down her fork and left. She could always order in.

The next morning, Asher's car arrived.