Chapter 12

Thalia smiled faintly. "You're right—you don't know me at all." Turning to Sienna with mock sweetness, she added, "Sure you don't want that photo? I'm about to leave..."

Sienna's face tightened with frustration. She desperately wanted photos with the car, but her pride wouldn't allow it with Thalia inside. "I'm not interested," she said stiffly.

"If you say so! Bye!" Thalia waved cheerfully, accelerating and leaving them in a cloud of dust.

As the blue Bentley disappeared, Sienna fumed. "Drake, how did you end up with someone so attention-seeking?"

Drake massaged his temples. "She wasn't like this before. I don't know what's gotten into her lately—pushing for marriage, renting cars..."

"She probably feels threatened by me," Sienna suggested. "Trying to fit in with our crowd with rental cars." Sienna crossed her arms, shaking her head with theatrical sympathy. "But rentals are just rentals. She can take pictures, but it's not really hers. How sad."

"Stop. It's embarrassing enough," Drake said, heading back inside.

Later, Thalia parked the Bentley in a secure garage outside the gated community. She didn't want it in Drake's garage—not yet. She'd originally planned to reveal her background herself, but now? Let him figure it out.

That evening, another all-vegetarian dinner appeared. Thalia sat down with her takeout from Le Bernardin, the aroma of perfectly seasoned seafood filling the dining room. Drake couldn't help glancing at her food. Butter-poached lobster, pan-seared sea bass—the presentation was immaculate. The rich scent made his mouth water, especially compared to his plate of bland vegetables. Thalia savored each bite with obvious pleasure. He loved seafood too; they used to share meals at Le Bernardin, where Thalia would always save him the best bites. Drake's throat worked as he swallowed, watching her hopefully, expecting an offer. Instead, Thalia enjoyed every morsel herself.

Catching his stare, she asked innocently, "Something wrong?"

Drake covered his awkwardness with a cough. "Could you not eat such strongly flavored food?"

Before Thalia could respond, Sienna interjected: "Well, only common people need such heavy flavors. Thalia, maybe eat that somewhere else?"

Drake's expression soured. He'd been practically drooling over that food, and Sienna had called it common?

Thalia licked her lips, starting on another bite. "Sienna, you clearly don't know Drake well. Ask him if he likes 'common' food."

Sienna blinked. "Drake, do you...?"

Drake's eye twitched as he forced down some kale. "Drop it. Let's eat."

Thalia hummed happily through her gourmet dinner. After dinner, Sienna prowled the living room. "Drake, these curtains are awful. And that vase completely clashes with the room." She wrinkled her nose at the fresh flowers. "Plus, I'm allergic. Can we throw these out?" The curtains were Thalia's choice, the vase her purchase, the flower arrangement her design. Sienna knew this.

"Change whatever you want," Drake said carelessly. His eyes flicked to Thalia as he added, "If you're allergic, we'll trash them."

Thalia watched their performance silently. It wasn't her house anymore, anyway. Sienna, mistaking silence for hurt, felt triumphant. Thalia was losing.

Drake called Rosa to remove the flowers. Rosa hesitated. "Sir, but Miss Winters chose those…"

Drake's voice sharpened. "So what? Who owns this place? Who signs your checks?"

"It's fine, Rosa," Thalia said calmly. "Throw them out."

As Rosa left with the vase, she muttered under her breath about drama queens and their endless demands.

In the living room, Sienna draped herself on Drake's arm. "Take me shopping for new curtains tomorrow?"

Drake glanced at Thalia, irritated by her complete lack of jealousy. Why wasn't she upset about the flowers? The very qualities he'd prized in her—understanding, accommodation—now grated on him. A little jealousy wouldn't hurt. He was suddenly tired of her perfect composure.

When he didn't respond, Sienna pouted, tugging his arm. "Drake, are you listening?"

He grunted in acknowledgment, distracted.

The next day, Sienna went on a decorating rampage, ordering workers to replace curtains and accessories. Everything Thalia had chosen went into dumpsters. When Thalia returned, Sienna met her eyes triumphantly. Thalia merely glanced at the chaos before heading upstairs.

She'd packed most things already, leaving only essentials and a few days' clothes. She'd hoped these final days would pass peacefully, but Sienna seemed determined to force her out.