Chapter 3

Drake seemed to suddenly remember his girlfriend was still present. Like waking from a trance, he withdrew his hand from Sienna's waist and stepped back. His friends, noticing his gaze shift to Thalia, quickly attempted to defuse the situation.

"Let's keep playing," one suggested. "Sienna, skip the drinks if your stomach's upset—just do truth or dare instead."

"Yeah, truth or dare's perfect!" another chimed in.

Drake composed himself and returned to the sofa. He expected Thalia to be jealous, to show some sign of hurt. But she remained silent. Her indifference unsettled him more than any overt reaction would have. Something about her felt different tonight. A silence stretched between them.

Drake was considering an explanation when another round of cheers erupted from the group. "Sienna lost again! Truth or dare?" His attention snapped back to Sienna.

"Dare," she said, throwing Drake a pointed glance over her shoulder. "Alright, pick from the dare cards." Someone produced a deck of cards. Sienna drew one casually. The reader's eyes widened, darting nervously between Sienna, Drake, and Thalia. A girl peeked at the card and gasped.

"What is it?"

"What did she get?"

"Kiss any guy in the room of your choice," the reader announced, shooting Drake a nervous glance.

The temperature in the room plummeted as Drake's expression turned glacial. Sienna, seemingly oblivious to the tension, stood up with a playful smile and approached a handsome man nearby.

"Chase, mind if I kiss you?"

Chase glanced at Drake's murderous expression, frozen in place. When he didn't respond, Sienna leaned in, her arms sliding around his neck.

"Enough!" Drake's shout cut through the room. He stormed over, seized Sienna's hand, and pulled her out the door.

The remaining guests exchanged glances before turning sympathetic eyes toward Thalia. She took a sip of her drink, smiling easily. "Why are you all looking at me?" They quickly averted their gazes, pretending to be engrossed in their drinks and conversations.

Thalia nursed her drink, feeling her heart grow colder. In her experience, Drake rarely displayed strong emotions. This was the first time she'd seen him lose control like this. When her glass was empty, she headed to the restroom. Through the door, she overheard women talking by the sinks.

"Drake's lost it—leaving his girlfriend here to run off with Sienna." "Shows who he really cares about, doesn't it?" "Did you see his face when Sienna was about to kiss Chase? Terrifying." "Poor girlfriend, watching her man lose it over another woman." "She's just a replacement anyway." "They'll break up soon, obviously. Everyone can see Drake's in love with Sienna."

"Yeah, I—" The voice cut off abruptly as Thalia emerged from the stall. The women hurried out, avoiding eye contact. Thalia calmly washed her hands. They were right about one thing—she and Drake were headed for a breakup. But it wouldn't be him ending things. She was done.

Back at the penthouse, exhausted, Thalia fell asleep quickly after her shower. Drake returned the next afternoon. He pushed open the bedroom door and frowned at the open suitcase on the floor.

"What's this?"

Thalia looked up from behind the closet door. "Oh, you're back. I'm heading home for a while." Her eyes caught on a fresh mark on his neck. She looked away, unfazed. She was done caring about what—or who—he did.

"Why the sudden trip home? Still angry about last night? Running away?"

"No, just missing my family. Want to visit."

Drake's expression relaxed. "That's good." In three years, Thalia had never gone home. She'd spent every holiday alone. He couldn't leave his family to spend holidays with her, and he certainly couldn't bring her home for the holidays. His mother, Caroline Ashcroft, would never accept someone without the "right" background.

"I'm swamped with work, so I can't come with you. When's your flight? I'll have James drive you to the airport."

Thalia folded her favorite pieces carefully into the suitcase. "No need. I've got a ride." Drake tried to hide his relief. He'd dreaded her asking him to meet her parents. After three years, normal couples would be discussing marriage. But he wasn't normal. He was Drake Ashcroft, sole heir to Ashcroft Capital. Their social divide was an unbridgeable gap. He knew they had no future. Meeting parents would be pointless. He was grateful Thalia understood this, never pushing for more.

His friend's words echoed: "Keep both. If you feel guilty, just buy her nice things. Women are easy to please." Maybe he could marry Sienna, keep Thalia as his mistress. A woman like Thalia would never find another man of his status. She loved him too much to leave. He'd talk to her after she returned.

"Text me when you land," Drake said. "Let me know when you're back in New York—I'll pick you up." Thalia murmured a soft "okay." I won't be back, she thought.

Drake's phone rang. After a brief call, he turned to her: "I need to go. About last night—I shouldn't have left you there. I got you something. My assistant will drop it off." Thalia gave a noncommittal response.

As soon as Drake left, Thalia's phone lit up with a message from Asher.