Chapter 31

The next day at work, Sarah Thompson handed Thalia two urgent case files. “The appeal deadline’s imminent on this one,” Sarah explained rapidly. “Previous counsel left the firm. The paperwork needs filing today.” She thrust another file forward. “And this workplace injury case requires medical assessments—take the client tomorrow at the latest. We can’t let it drag into next week.”

Thalia nodded, accepting both files. These complex cases were precisely what she’d expected from London’s top firm, even if the timing felt suspiciously rushed.

By the time she finished work, darkness had fallen. The office was empty, her colleagues long gone. She hadn't even eaten dinner.

Walking home, her phone rang.

“Lia, are you home yet?” Asher’s warm voice filled her ear.

“Just leaving the office now, walking back.”

“Have you eaten?”

“No time. I was thinking of ordering delivery.”

“Ah,” amusement tinged his tone. “Your delivery service is already en route.”

“What do you mean?”

“Delivery boy Asher Blackwood, at your service,” he teased softly.

Thalia laughed, surprised by this playful side of him. The stern, aristocratic Asher she remembered would never have joked like this.

“Did you install a tracking device on me, Mr. Blackwood? That’s quite illegal,” she teased back.

His voice dropped, sending an unexpected shiver down her spine. “Then perhaps you should arrest me, counselor. I’m at your mercy.”

Thalia felt her cheeks flush. “You—you should focus on driving.”

“That’s what chauffeurs are for,” he replied smoothly.

Still smiling from their conversation, Thalia almost missed the figure waiting in the shadows near her building.

“Thalia,” Drake’s voice cut through the night like ice.

She froze, then quickly ended her call with Asher. “Have to go.”

Stopping a few feet from Drake, she asked coldly, “How did you find me?”

“Running away?” His eyes glinted dangerously.

“I told you I was going home. No running involved.”

Drake stepped closer. Thalia instinctively backed away, which only seemed to enrage him further.

“You said you were visiting family,” he growled. “Not that you were never coming back to New York. How long are you planning to keep this up?”

Thalia sighed in exasperation. “There’s nothing to ‘keep up.’ We’re done, Drake. Stop following me.”

“Done?” He laughed darkly. “This ends when I say it ends.”

“Are you insane? Go back to Sienna. Why are you here?”

“Jealous?” His expression softened slightly.

Thalia mentally rolled her eyes at his arrogance.

“Sienna and I are just friends,” he insisted. “Stop being dramatic.”

“Friends who sleep together?” Thalia’s tone dripped with acid.

Drake’s expression faltered. “What are you—”

“Don’t bother denying it. I know everything. I just don’t care anymore.”

Those last words seemed to hit him hard. “Don’t care?” His voice turned plaintive. “I’ve thought of nothing but you. I miss you, Thalia. Let’s fix this.”

The sudden shift from anger to wounded puppy made her skin crawl.

“Not happening.”

“Why not?” he shouted, drawing stares from passersby.

“Could you not make a scene?” Thalia hissed.

Drake grabbed her wrist roughly. “Come back with me!”

“Let go of me!” She struggled against his grip.

“No! I miss you, Thalia—” He tried to force a kiss.

“Get your hands off her!” A commanding voice cut through the night.

Drake turned to face the newcomer, his grip loosening slightly. “Who the hell are you?”