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
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
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 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 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'
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 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
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
Thalia's POV EPILOGUE: SEVEN YEARS LATER The estate buzzed with life, Thanksgiving brunch was already underway, the air smelled of pumpkin spice and cinnamon, and the hum of conversation mingled with the occasional squeals of children running through the halls. Sunlight poured into the garden through the tall windows, casting warm and golden streaks over everything, making the moment feel as heavenly as it was. I stood on the patio, holding a steaming mug of tea, my eyes scanning the lively scene before me.Theo and Elise, now four, were chasing each other around the fountain, their giggles echoing. Theo, the notorious mischief-maker, grabbed a handful of fallen leaves and tossed them into the air, pretending it was snow."Elise, look it's snowing!" "That's not snow, Theo!" she scolded, her little hands on her hips, but she was smiling, her dimples making an appearance just like Alexander's when he was amused."They're at it again" Alexander said, stepping up beside me with a plate
Thalia's POV We stayed at the manor for two more days before heading back to Alexander's house, where Lorraine greeted us with another warm welcome. It wasn't anything extravagant, just a thoughtful display that felt genuine, I told her about my visit to Mom and Dad, and she listened intently, then suggested we go together next time, I agreed without hesitation. Later that evening, Cassie told me to get dressed, saying we were going somewhere, after some deliberation, I chose a silky whitedress with a Queen Anne neckline, pairing it with a touch of red lipstick, the look was simple but striking, just the way I liked it. As I descended the stairs, the soft fabric of my dress trailing behind me, I caught sight of Alexander standing by the doorway. Alexander was waiting, looking devastatingly handsome in a crisp shirt and tailored pants, his hair was styled as usual, effortlessly tousled yet somehow flawless. But tonight, it wasn't just his looks, it was the way his eyes found mine,
Thalia's POV As much as I wanted to stay curled up in bed with Alexander all day, to enjoy the warmth of his arms and the peace he brought me, today wasn't a day for indulgence.Lilith, Tobias, and I had agreed to visit Mom and Dad at the cemetery this morning, it was something we had never done together and while it was never easy, it felt like the right thing to do. The drive to the cemetery was quiet, the kind of silence filled with unspoken words and shared memories. When we arrived, I pulled the folded picnic mat from the trunk and laid it out on the grass in front of their graves, the air was crisp but gentle, and the morning sun filtered through the trees, casting soft light over the headstones. Lilith knelt first, her movements slow and deliberate as she placed the basket of pastries Gladys had prepared for us on the mat. "Good morning Mom" she said, her voice soft but steady. Tobias and I echoed her, our voices overlapping in a quiet chorus.“Good morning Mom". We all chu
Thalia's POV Dinner had been a perfect end to an emotional day, laughter echoed through the house. But now, the night had deepened, and the warmth of family faded into a quieter kind of comfort. After we'd all gathered in the living room to watch an old childhood favorite, I found myself seeking something more than nostalgia. Something…Someone… Alexander. The house was silent by the time we made our way upstairs. I held his hand, guiding him toward my room, the soft creak of the floorboards beneath us the only sound. Despite the hour, exhaustion hadn't settled in yet. I wasn't tired, not in the way sleep could fix, at least. What I needed wasn't rest but him. We stepped into my room, and he paused just inside the doorway, his gaze sweeping across the space. His smile was soft but curious."Your room is lovely” he said, his voice warm and laced with amusement. I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me."Thanks. I picked the one closest to the library" He arched a brow at me, his
Thalia's POV Justin staggered back, denial painted across his face, his panic concrete."It can't be. You were both dead!" he yelled, his voice cracking under the weight of his terror as his eyes darted between Tobias and Lilith. Tobias stood unyielding, his expression void of anything but icy contempt.“Guess you're not as precise a murderer as you thought you were," he said, his voice chillingly even, his cold gaze drilling into Justin. Justin's wild eyes shifted to Eugene, his desperation taking over."You! You set us up!" Justin roared, lunging forward. Eugene didn't flinch. He pushed Justin back with a force that sent him stumbling."Lay another finger on me” Eugene warned, his voice sharp “and I'll personally make sure you wind up on death row”. Brandon stepped forward, his fury burning hotter than Justin's desperation.“He's not winding up anywhere” Brandon seethed "You're right, Brandon. You both are” Tobias's voice broke the tension, and just as the weight of his words set
Thalia's POV Justin and Brandon thought Eugene was hiding out here, in this dingy downtown house-turned-office. Eugene, put on his acting mask and pretended to be frantic, packing like he had every intention of disappearing off the grid. The moment Justin and Brandon stormed in, my breath hitched because there he was. Justin. A man who'd ruined countless lives with his schemes. Just seeing him sent a surge of anger through me. I felt Alexander's hand squeeze mine firmly beside me, grounding me, to my left, Lilith stood tall, her sharp eyes fixed on the screens. Kirill was beside her, silent and unreadable as always. Tobias was leaning casually against the wall behind us, his posture deceptively relaxed, though I could see the alertness in his gaze, Katherine was beside him. Across the room, the tech team sat huddled near their equipment, four of them with headphones on, monitoring the live feed, they were oblivious to the drama unfolding before us, focused entirely on ensuring th
Thalia's POV Alexander coming in to tell me how proud he was of me that morning was the cherry on top of everything. Sure, good things had happened, but nothing could compare to the way Alexander made me feel, that man could have said "I'm proud of you for existing" and I'd have cried happy tears on the spot. Now, as we walked into the conference room where everyone was waiting, my nerves prickled. Everyone was here. Tobias with Katarina. Patrick and his brother, that Elijah guy who seemed permanently unimpressed with life. Nolan was seated next to a woman I didn't recognize, right beside Liam and Eugene. Even Lilith was on her way, dragging Kirill with her."Well, about time. They're here” Elijah drawled, his voice laced with the kind of sarcasm that could peel paint off a wall. "Well, good" Eugene jumped in, not missing a beat. "Because we have to leave now. They're already on their way" "What? So soon?" Alexander's voice sharpened "How'd they agree that fast?" "They're comin
Alexander's POV As much as I hated the sudden change of plans, I couldn't deny the satisfaction bubbling in my chest. This was it. The beginning of the end for Brandon and his little schemes. Every move he made was crumbling under the weight of our counterattack, now, all we had to do was wait and let the dominos fall.We were on our way to the company to meet Thalia, I hadn't wanted her involved in the final phases of this, but even I couldn't argue with the reality of the situation, she and her siblings were vital.Besides, I'd be nearby, monitoring everything like a hawk, if anyone so much as thought of stepping out of line, they'd answer to me."Woah" Nolan said from the front seat, his tone laced with amusement "The devil works fast, but your girl works faster Alexander" "What are you on about now?" I asked, my attention drawn away from the window, Liam and I both turned to look at him as Callum threw Nolan a side-eye "Check the news” Nolan said, smirking like the cat that go
Thalia's POV"All these years striving to keep the company afloat, and he thought he could take it from me” I said to Amanda Bennet, the lawyer sitting across from me. She had just finished outlining the damage Brandon Dahl's actions had done to my company.Amanda, sharp and polished as ever, was from Sorin Alcott & Pryce, one of New York's top law firms. If anyone could help the company, it was her. "It will be easy to overturn” Amanda said with a calm confidence that reassured me."His actions violated at least three governance laws, the board will have no choice but to nullify his decisions”"Good” My voice was steely, my resolve unshakable as I nodded firmly."I don't care if I have to fight every investor he dragged in. This is my company” "Understood" she said, already rising to her feet, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor as she gathered her briefcase."I'll draft the paperwork and circle back with you. In the meantime, you'll need to speak with your team, and make