Thalia's POVAfter wandering around the manor for a bit, I returned to my room, feeling a bit relaxed. Once inside, I decided to change. I peeled off my skirt and replaced it with a pair of fitted denim jeans, next, I grabbed a warm brown jacket and wrapped a soft scarf around my neck, and then I pulled my hair into a quick twisted ponytail. On the dresser, my phone buzzed with a notification, picking it up, I saw a new message from Bella. I sighed heavily, my jaw tightening What now? For a second, I considered ignoring her, but curiosity won and I opened the message. "Hello there, Thalia. I know you don't want to talk to me after all that I did, but I'd really appreciate it if you'd at least try"I stared at the screen, debating whether to respond, part of me wanted to delete the message and block her number, but instead, I typed a curt reply; "Where are you?"I hit send, feeling equal parts irritated and intrigued, shoving my phone into my pocket. I glanced at the mirror one la
Alexander's POV Sierra's words struck like a thunderclap, leaving the house in deafening silence as she stormed down the stairs and slammed the front door behind her. "Alex, I..." Mother began, her voice trembling with the load of an excuse she hadn't yet found. Before she could continue, Cassandra's voice rang out from the top of the stairs, cutting through the tension like a knife. "Lorraine?" Cassandra called out, her tone sharp and demanding, her figure appearing at the top landing. Behind her, Liam appeared, his brows furrowed as he placed a steadying hand on her shoulder "Alex? We heard yelling. What's going on?" he asked, his voice calm but tinged with concern. Cassandra didn't wait for an answer, she started down the stairs, her movements purposeful, her gaze locked on Mother, who visibly flinched under her niece-in-law's scrutiny. Liam followed closely behind, his posture protective, his eyes darting between all of us.Mother looked at me, her eyes pleading—begging me
Thalia's POV "How could I let this happen?" My voice cracked, barely above a whisper, as I stared down at the table. Grace pulled up on her computer. "It wasn't your fault, Thalia." Grace replied gently, but I shook my head, unwilling to accept her reprieve."No" I said, my tone firmer now, though my voice wavered, "I remember when you came to me and showed me what Brandon was doing, I saw the proof. And I—I hid the documents. I let him do this" My voice faltered, fading into the quiet of the office. Grace stepped closer, her expression resolute."Yes" she admitted without hesitation, her words sharp and piercing "but it doesn't matter anymore. What's done is done" Her eyes locked onto mine"So you let him do it—fine. The question now is, what will you do to undo it?" I drew in a shaky breath, her words passed through me in the whirlwind of my own thoughts, he stepped aside, giving me space to approach the computer screen, where the stark proof of the company's current state stared
Alexander's POV I hadn't noticed when Father entered the room. He knelt behind Mother, helping her to her feet. She was still sobbing uncontrollably, her body trembling as she clung to him. Zach stood stiffly, anger radiating off him in waves, but his girlfriend tugged at his arm, trying to pull him aside, the air in the room was thick—tension simmering and ready to boil over. Father steadied Mother as she cried into his chest, her hands gripping his suit jacket as though it were the only thing keeping her upright, he murmured something softly to her before leading her out of the room. A moment later, he returned, his expression firm, his presence commanding. "Zach" Father said, his voice low and authoritative, the kind of tone that left no room for argument "You will apologize to your mother" "What?!" Zach snapped, incredulous “Father, she interacted with the enemy!" "And she has apologized" Father replied, his tone unwavering. "You know your mother, Zachary. She acts from emot
Thalia's POV I stood outside the penthouse, debating my next move. Should I swallow my pride and go see Bella? Or should I head to Alexander's and collect my things? I thought briefly of texting Cassandra, but Tobias had seen to it that I couldn't contact Alexander, or anyone he was associated with, for that matter. It was suffocating. With a frustrated sigh, I decided on Bella. The building loomed before me, a towering reminder of a past I couldn't quite shake, I parked outside and took a moment to steel myself before heading up to the penthouse. The house looked the same, its colors bold and cold. To anyone else, it might seem pristine, but to me, it felt monochrome and lifeless. I rang the doorbell and knocked for good measure, within seconds, the door opened, and there she was Bella. She stood there in a cozy navy-blue sweater and loose pants, her baby bump just beginning to show.Oh, right. She was pregnant, I'd almost forgotten, her face was as familiar as it was alien, sof
Alexander's POV Nolan's hands were steady on the wheel as we drove toward the safehouse. My mind, surprisingly, was calm.The task ahead was clear: get to the safe house, unravel the tangled mess Brandon and Eugene had created, and put an end to their scheming. That part I could handle. It was business, calculated,methodical. But there was another problem, one that I wasn't sure I could solve. One I couldn't even fully name without a tightening in my chest. It all began years ago, with the Asplundh family. A private plane crash. Everyone assumed the family had been wiped out except for one survivor; Thalia Asplundh, the second daughter. She was young then, just a girl, sent to a rehabilitation center after the crash. She wouldn't eat. She wouldn't speak. She was trapped in her grief, shattered and silent.Years later, she came out. Therapy had pulled her back from the brink, though the scars were still visible to anyone paying attention. She returned to claim her place as CEO of her
Alexander's POV We arrived at the safe house just as Liam pulled in, it wasn't a coincidence; Liam had left earlier, claiming he had errands to run. Yet somehow, we ended up here at the same time. I didn't bother asking him why. With Liam, surprises weren't uncommon. As we entered the building and took the elevator down to the secure floor, Svetlana was already at her desk, stacking papers into neat piles, she paused mid-movement when she saw us."Good morning, Mr. Croft” she greeted me, her tone professional, her words sharp. But her eyes? They weren't on me. They were on Nolan I turned my head slightly, catching the unmistakable smile tugging at his lips as he returned her gaze. "It's done decrypting, isn't it?" I asked, my tone cutting through their silent exchange. Svetlana winced “Yes I believe so" she admitted, her smile faltering. "Come see for yourself” She led us to the tech lab. As expected, Evan was already at his station, his fingers flying across the keyboard, immer
Thalia's POV The first thing I noticed was the sound of crickets. It felt like they'd been chirping for hours, echoing faintly through the room.Slowly, my senses sharpened, pulling me out of the darkness. My eyes opened, greeted by the dim light of night spilling in through partially open curtains. I didn't recognize the room. My head felt heavy. No, not just my head—my entire body. It was like I'd been weighed down by an invisible force Panic flared in my chest as I tried to move. Nothing. My arms wouldn't respond, my legs stayed still, and even my voice was locked away. I tried again. Harder this time. Still nothing. It was suffocating, a helplessness I hadn't felt in years. My breathing was measured, and steady, like I wasn't even in control of that either. Every ounce of strength I could muster evaporated into futility. The door creaked open, the sound snapping me to attention. Bella peeked in, a slow, satisfied smile spreading across her face as her eyes locked on mine."Wel
Alexander's POV Thalia would be back today. This time, I knew it. Not hope, nor a guess, I knew.The plan was simple, almost laughably so, but Eugene assured me that simplicity was Brandon's greatest weakness. He would never see it coming. Still, a plan like this required precision, which meant bringing Tobias on board to ensure he could involve Elijah. As Patrick had pointed out, Tobias had his uses, and I intended to take full advantage of them. Elijah’s role was critical. Brandon had been hiding in Putnam County, smug and secure, dragging Thalia along like some bargaining chip. Today, he planned to bring her to the city under the pretense of having her sign documents, papers Eugene had conveniently arranged through a man Brandon didn’t know but agreed because he trusted Eugene.What Brandon didn't know was that the man wasn't who he thought, that man would be Elijah, playing his role to perfection. Eugene's task was straightforward: convince Brandon that once the documents were
Alexander's POVThe moment I stepped into the office, the energy shifted, the space was mine, every corner, every detail, every ounce of power that coursed through these walls belonged to me. I strode through the halls, nodding at those who dared make eye contact, and brushing past the ones who didn't.The elevator doors opened to my floor, revealing Vivian seated at her desk. She stood immediately when she saw me. Of course, she did. I'd told her I was coming in and that my morning schedule needed to be filled. Efficiency was expected"Good morning, sir” she greeted, her tone sharp "Morning, Vivian" I replied with a curt nod. "What's on the calendar for this morning?" "Just Michael Gianopolous and Raphael Clifford" she said, holding her tablet in one hand while the other hovered over her keyboard. "Forward the emails to me” I instructed, already turning toward my office, but her throat-clearing made me pause "The thing is..." she started, her voice hesitant, "someone is waiting
Thalia's POV I sat in the backseat of the car, Bella beside me. She was particularly chatty, a stark contrast to my silence.I didn't know where we were heading, but I recognized the place we'd been earlier, a secluded Victorian-style house in Putnam County. Bella had mentioned it belonged to Justin, as I expected. The uncertainty gnawed at me, but I didn't ask where we were going, asking would betray fear, keeping quiet on the other hand, was armor, masking the herd of thoughts swirling in my head.Let them think I was docile. Let them believe I had surrendered. It would make planning their downfall all the easier. Up front, Brandon muttered something to the driver. “Eugene says there's been a hiccup" he said, his tone clipped."What kind of hiccup?" I asked before I could stop myself. Brandon turned, shooting me a glare that could've frozen fire. “Watch your mouth" I swallowed hard, biting back the retort. Bella, however, leaned forward, her voice syrupy."Brandon, what kind of
Alexander's POVI scoffed, my voice laced with venom “Oh, is he now? I didn't notice” Patrick glanced at me, his tone calm but firm"What Tobias did was wrong, but he still reached out to you, he admitted the lie the moment you asked, and he came to you the second something went wrong. That's a sign of respect—whether you like it or not” "Patrick, just drive” I said, closing my eyes. He sighed but complied, the engine humming as we pulled onto the road. After a long stretch of silence, he spoke again."Are you done moping yet?" I opened my eyes, glaring at him “What about this looks like moping to you?" He smirked, glancing at my clenched hand."You've got the ring caged in your fist like it's the last piece of her you'll ever hold, that seems like heartbreak to me.” I scoffed, the sound bitter to my ears."She took off her ring, he lied to her so thoroughly that she took off her ring, and you want me to think about helping him?" "You're right" Patrick said, his tone shifting,"Don'
Alexander's POV We arrived at Elijah's office earlier than expected, and yet, Tobias was already there, seated in the conference room as if he'd been expecting us. The secretary led us inside, and I immediately spotted Elijah leaning back in his chair, arms crossed, looking entirely too amused for my liking. Tobias sat two seats away from him, his sharp gaze shifting toward us, and Andrei was positioned near the end of the table, his stoic expression giving nothing away. Elijah was the first to speak, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Alexander, it's always a pleasure to host meetings with you, especially when I have no idea they're happening.” I didn't dignify his comment with a response, but Patrick smirked. The kind of smirk that promised trouble. Elijah's eyes flicked to Patrick, his brow arching "And you brought... a friend." Patrick didn't miss a beat "Always a joy to see you, Elijah, especially since you've been making such an effort to avoid me." Elijah gave a casual shru
Alexander's POV I wandered through the house until I found Liam. He was with Cassie, Sierra, and, to my surprise, Patrick. They were in Edith and Silas's room, a space that still hadn't been fully cleared out since the day they left. Neither Mother nor Cassie had been able to touch the room until now. Cassie often came here when she felt upset, it seemed to calm her for some reason. Sierra, on the other hand, hated the room, she had moved her room upstairs just to avoid being near it, yet here she was, helping pack. When I stepped inside, I saw boxes scattered everywhere. Cassie carefully wrapped Edith's favorite drapes, Liam helped fold items, Sierra sealed the boxes, and Patrick stacked them in a neat row. "Alexander” Sierra said, noticing me enter. Her tone carried a hint of teasing as she crossed her arms."Here to give me my formal apology?" She wasn't wrong. Though she was teasing, I owed her one. I nodded, taking a step closer “Sierra, I sincerely apologize, for everything
Alexander's POV I stood motionless in the doorway, staring at the man in front of me. Tobias Asplundh. Alive. "And you are?" I finally said, feigning ignorance, my tone was casual, but I knew damn well who he was.He smiled, an amused, knowing smile that showed he wasn't fooled, clearing his throat, he spoke again."I'm Tobias Asplundh" he said evenly "Thalia's brother. Which makes me your brother-in-law, I suppose" His tone was light, but there was something behind it, something sharp. Ah, yes. The dead man comes back to life. "I see" I said, the words clipped and short."Yes, that's right" he continued, his smile fading slightly "I imagine this is a shock to you, but explanations can wait. Right now, I need to know where my sister is." That's when his words registered fully. He doesn't know where Thalia is, she was last seen at Brandon's house, according to the police, and if Tobias hadn't involved them himself, it was no doubt because of his inconvenient 'dead' status. "Thali
Thalia's POV The air was crisp as I opened the windows wide, letting in the soothing hum of birdsong and the soft caress of the wind. The room's height wasn't frightening, and escaping through the window was tempting, but I dismissed the thought almost instantly. I wouldn't leave, not yet. Not until I reduced Brandon to nothing but ash and regret.Looking out, I tried to discern where I might be. According to Bella, we had traveled by private jet. If that was true, I wasn't in New York anymore. I scanned the landscape, but the unfamiliar surroundings told me nothing concrete. The only certainty was that wherever we had flown to, I needed to know where. Turning to the small drawer in the corner, I rummaged through it with a faint sense of purpose. The first drawer was empty, only filled with some tissue papers and body balm but the second surprised me. A phone. What were the odds? It seemed almost too convenient. I switched it on, and it hummed to life The screen displayed the time
Thalia's POV The world blurred around me as Brandon's admission settled in my mind.Justin—Brandon's father—had killed my parents. I had never truly believed the Crofts were responsible for the crash. I convinced myself it was an accident, a cruel twist of fate. I didn't feel anger or thirst for vengeance after they died, even when I thought I had lost my parents and siblings (who, as it turns out, are alive) I wasn't consumed by fury. I was simply hollow. The grief had left me existing rather than living, I became numb and utterly alone.But now? Now that I know it wasn't an accident, now that the murderer himself had spat the truth in my face, sadness no longer consumed me. It was anger that burned in its place, and once the initial shock wore off. I made a silent vow to myself. I would end Justin Davis, the same way he ended my parents. I would reduce him to ashes, strip him of everything until nothing remained.My parents had been everything, they were brilliant, generous, and