Chapter 112

The call ended abruptly. "Don't flatter yourself," the words echoed in her mind, a haunting curse. Thalia felt desolate; Asher's affection, once so abundant, ebbed away, moment by moment. Outside, the snow fell heavily, fierce winds howling, shaking the branches. Thalia stared blankly at the swirling snow.

After a moment, her phone rang insistently. Tears still drying on her face, the clamorous ringtone felt profoundly wearying. It was Randolph.

"Thalia, the Blackwood family came to dissolve the engagement today."

Her heart numb with pain, Thalia offered a faint acknowledgment. Randolph hesitated. "Have you seen the gossip about Asher and that actress?"

Thalia remained silent.

Randolph continued, "Tomorrow, I'll arrange a press conference to publicly announce the termination of our engagement. The responsibility falls entirely on them. Don't let this weigh on you, Thalia. There's no shame in a broken engagement. I'll find you someone far more suitable. My beautiful, accomplished daughter could have any man she desires."

Thalia remained silent, unsure how to respond. She hadn't expected the Blackwoods to move so quickly; Asher had broken up with her last night, and today the engagement was officially over. Were they truly so eager? Recalling the alluring female voice from the earlier call, a crushing pain gripped her chest. Was Asher rushing to distance himself to make things official with Laurina?

"Thalia, get some rest. After tomorrow's press conference, I'll send a car to bring you home." Once the press conference was over, the Winters family would have no further connection to the Blackwoods, and Malfoy would hopefully cease targeting them. Randolph added further comforting words, urging her to protect her health. Thalia responded with vague acknowledgments.

In a dimly lit private room at an exclusive club, Drake Ashcroft sat on a sofa, his face hidden in shadows, his expression unreadable. Around him, people drank and chatted, but Drake remained disinterested. He wanted only to sit alone, lost in thought.

In recent days, Thalia had disappeared. After his hospital discharge, he'd found her apartment empty. He had no idea where she'd gone, and her phone was unreachable. She had vanished from his world. He'd fallen into despair, numbing himself daily with alcohol.

Once, heavily intoxicated, he'd imagined Thalia's return. She wore the dress he'd bought her, smiling softly. "Drake." Overwhelmed, he'd embraced her, laughing and crying. Thalia gently touched his face. "You really ought to stop drinking. Come on, let's get you to bed." He'd covered her hand, nuzzling against her palm, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Thalia, I truly regret everything. Won't you come back to me?"

Thalia smiled softly. "But I have come back, haven't I?"

Red-eyed, he asked, "I swear I'll only ever love you, only be good to you. Can we start again?"

Thalia's gaze was tender. "Yes. I won't leave again."

"That's wonderful," he mumbled. "I thought… I'd lost my chance forever…"

He'd broken down, sobbing uncontrollably—a mixture of relief and remorse. His Thalia had returned. She was all tenderness, wiping away his tears before kissing him. Desire flared, the atmosphere growing heated. That night, he'd taken her repeatedly, abandoned to passion.

However, when he opened his eyes the next morning, the naked woman beside him was Sienna! His world collapsed. How could it be Sienna? Last night, it had clearly been Thalia. Humiliated and furious, he rebuked her harshly.

Far from being angry, Sienna gazed at him with tearful eyes, biting her lip. "Drake, you love Thalia Winters so much—I'll imitate her. Didn't you once say we look somewhat similar? I can copy her style, her makeup, her hairstyle. I'll do whatever you want, just don't send me away, please?"

Recalling the previous night, he hesitated. Sienna had truly resembled Thalia! Seeing his silence, she took his hand, pleading softly, "Drake, you enjoyed last night, didn't you? Don't pretend otherwise. Let me stay with you. I'm willing to be Thalia's substitute."

No man could resist such a plea, especially from a beautiful woman who loved him. Drake rubbed his nose, sighing deeply.

He missed Thalia desperately; he'd nearly gone mad without her. The moment Sienna pressed against him and kissed him, he surrendered. He thought defeatedly: a substitute was better than nothing.

From that day, Sienna remained by his side. She was a competent substitute, imitating Thalia's style, hairstyle, and even perfume. Drake enjoyed holding her from behind, inhaling her scent. Their silhouettes were nearly identical; they smelled the same, which delighted him immensely. He deceived himself, sinking deeper. Yet a substitute, however convincing, could never replace Thalia.

Now, sitting on the sofa, his longing for Thalia grew uncontrollably. His chest ached, making breathing difficult. He drank glass after glass, numbing his senses.

Someone mentioned, "Quick, look at Twitter—there's absolute dynamite trending."

Initially, Drake paid no attention. Then he heard Asher Blackwood's name. He turned sharply. "What did you just say about Blackwood?"

The girl looked up. "He's been spotted with actress Laurina Kensington! It's trending. Paparazzi caught them entering a hotel together, and insiders claim they're dating. Laurina's a proper A-lister—this is massive gossip!"

Celine interjected, "Isn't Asher Blackwood engaged to Thalia Winters? How could he…" She paused, looking at Drake. "Drake, you and Thalia were close once. Has she broken up with him?"

Sienna's expression stiffened, the dim lighting concealing her pallor.

"That's absolutely impossible!" Sienna raised her voice. "They were madly in love, about to be married. You must be mistaken." She was so close to success. Once she conceived an Ashcroft heir, she could use the child to secure her position. At this crucial juncture, she couldn't allow complications! Thalia and Asher couldn't break up.

"Here, Sienna, see for yourself. It's all over Twitter," Celine said, extending her phone.

Before Sienna could touch it, Drake snatched it from her hand.