Chapter 66

Thalia lowered her gaze. Asher held her hand, their fingers intertwined. His voice held a mocking edge: “Reunite? As if Thalia would give such rubbish a second glance now that she’s with me.” Crude, perhaps, but not untrue.

Thalia smiled demurely, leaning closer, nestling against him like a contented bird. “Asher’s absolutely right. There’s only room for him in my heart now. Why would I spare a thought for a forgettable mistake from my youth?”

Drake’s smile froze, his expression darkening. Her words stung. Was that truly how she saw him? As utterly insignificant? His hand clenched at his side as he struggled to control his anger. A flash of jealousy, almost imperceptible, crossed Grace’s eyes. She silently gritted her teeth, mentally cursing Thalia.

Victoria interjected sharply: “Well, Miss Bennett, perhaps this explains your family’s questionable reputation. Chasing after someone Thalia grew bored with—rather desperate, isn’t it?”

“Who are you calling ‘someone she grew bored with’?” Drake snapped.

Eliza’s face flushed. She was about to argue but saw Sebastian and thought better of it. She couldn’t antagonize the Darwins.

“I’m talking about you,” Victoria replied coolly, crossing her arms. “Dating you seems to be Thalia’s equivalent of a criminal record. Thank goodness she came to her senses. Otherwise, I might have had to hold a knife to her throat to force a breakup. Weren’t you back with your ‘perfect ex’? Why not bring her for a stroll?”

Drake was practically apoplectic. As he neared a tirade, Grace quickly grabbed his arm. “Let’s stop arguing. This is a misunderstanding. It’s my fault—I didn’t know Drake and Thalia were previously involved.”

Grace bit her lip, tears welling as she looked at her brother, the picture of wounded innocence. “Brother, I truly didn’t know Drake was Thalia’s ex-boyfriend. I thought… I thought he was simply Eliza’s friend… Brother, you won’t blame me, will you?”

Asher was about to speak when Thalia, mimicking Grace’s affected manner, said, “Sister, it was merely an innocent mistake. How could I possibly blame you? Your brother won’t blame you either.”

Asher, though unsure of Thalia’s plan, supported her unconditionally. With a cold expression, he replied, “If Thalia doesn’t blame you, then neither do I.”

Grace was speechless, staring at Thalia in confusion. Thalia offered a sweet smile that sent chills down Grace’s spine. What was she plotting? Thalia laughed inwardly. If Grace wanted games, they would see who was more uncomfortable.

James, having observed the drama, spoke up: “Let’s eat and rest before the hike. We’ll need our energy.”

The spectators dispersed, setting up tables and chairs, laying out tablecloths, and preparing the evening meal. Grills, charcoal, stoves, cookware—all were available. Some prepared the barbecue, others hearty stews.

Thalia and Victoria gravitated toward the barbecue. Victoria whispered, “Why don’t you just send him packing?” (“Him” being Drake.)

Thalia calmly basted a rack of lamb. “It wouldn’t work. I’ve tried before. He’d just return.”

Victoria exclaimed, “Thalia, I was right! This Grace Bennett is devious. Would you sooner believe she didn’t know Drake was your ex, or that I’m Queen Victoria reincarnated?”

“I know she’s doing this deliberately; I suspect Grace and Drake have conspired to break up Asher and me. Since they’re so determined to make me uncomfortable, I might as well play along and see who ends up more bothered.”

Victoria gave a thumbs-up. “Spot on! I’m with you!”

Sebastian wandered over, eager for gossip. “Thalia, was that absolute tosser really your ex-boyfriend?”

Before Thalia could answer, Sebastian yelped, clutching his head. Asher’s cool voice came from behind: “Mind your own business.”

Sebastian’s expression turned wounded. “Why did you flick me? That hurt! I was just checking if Thalia was alright.”

Victoria shoved two platters into Sebastian’s hands. “Make yourself useful and grill these.”

Sebastian accepted wordlessly. Asher embraced Thalia, resting his chin on her shoulder. His tone was uncharacteristically tender: “Lia.”

Thalia leaned against him, tending the barbecue. “This lamb will be ready in a moment.”

“Mmm.” His presence enveloped her. He pressed soft kisses to her neck and nibbled her earlobe. Thalia giggled.

When he tried again, Thalia laughingly moved away. “Stop that! Everyone’s watching.”

Asher’s voice was deep and seductive. “Let them watch. Let them see how perfectly happy we are together.”

Nearby, Sebastian quipped, “Victoria, do you smell something?”

Victoria sniffed exaggeratedly. “What smell? I only smell delicious barbecue.”

Sebastian replied theatrically, “The sickeningly sweet stench of love.”

Still holding Thalia, Asher drawled, “Rubbish. Love smells perfectly delightful.”

Grace watched their display with barely contained rage, her knuckles white.

When the food was ready, everyone gathered. Thalia, Asher, Sebastian, James, Charlotte, and Victoria sat at one table; Grace, her friends, and Drake at the other.

As Thalia and Asher sat, Grace approached with a steaming bowl of stew. She placed it in front of Asher, leaning close. “Brother, I’ve made some beef stew. Try some.”

Asher subtly shifted toward Thalia, then pushed the bowl toward her. “Lia, it’s beef stew—your favorite. Have a taste.”

Grace’s smile froze. Thalia sampled the beef. After finishing, she turned to Grace with a sweet smile. “Mmm, it’s quite good. Thank you, sister.”

Asher then speared a potato and fed it to Thalia. “Try this one.”

The others admired Asher’s tactics. Well played—he’d politely refused his sister while pleasing his fiancée. Brilliant!

Victoria chimed in, “Aren’t they just the sweetest couple? Always displaying their affection. Grace, look how utterly devoted your brother is to your future sister-in-law.”