Thalia's POV I sat stiffly in my seat, silently fuming, my arms crossed tightly, as I glared out the window. We had been driving for over thirty minutes now, and the once-crowded streets had given way to long, deserted paths. It was just us and the seemingly never-ending road. "I can't believe you didn't let me talk to him," I snapped, finally breaking the silence. My words hung in the air, but Andrei didn't flinch. He kept his eyes on the road, one hand casually resting on the steering wheel. The first driver came down from the car a few minutes back."He knows where you're going either way" he replied dryly, his tone bored. "Whatever" I shot back, trying to sound more confident than I felt "He must be worried" Andrei blinked, then let out a sharp, humorless chuckle "Worried?" He repeated, "You're the least of his concerns right now. At best, he might send someone to follow us, but he has far bigger problems to deal with—problems I'm sure you're aware of" I narrowed my eyes at
Thalia's POV The car slowed to a stop. The crunch of tires against gravel, the only sound as I peered out the window, my breath caught in my lungs. This wasn't the church Four hours, I had spent nearly four hours driving into oblivion with Andrei, convinced we were headed to the church, only to end up here.I stared at the house, a chill creeping down my spine, it wasn't the eerie quiet of the place or the way the thick trees surrounding it cast gawky shadows over the house.No. It was the familiarity of it. The house sat near a lake, its surface shimmering faintly under the golden light of a lamp outside, the cobblestone path leading up to the house was bordered with moss and wildflowers, creating a somewhat scenic look."This isn't the church" I snapped at him. Andrei parked the car a few feet away from the house and turned off the engine, he didn't look at me as he replied "I know" Before I could question him further, he got out of the car. I hesitated for a moment, then I ope
Alexander's POV The car hummed steadily as it sped through the darkened streets, the glow of the city fading in the distance. It was already nightfall, and the board meeting earlier today had been postponed at my father's insistence—he'd wanted to be present when it took place.Beside me in the backseat, Liam glanced out the window "Where exactly are we headed?" "To the safe house" I replied, my hand resting firmly on the briefcase on my lap. Inside it, the hard drive felt like a ticking bomb."We can't risk decrypting this anywhere near Croft HQ. Not yet. Not until we know exactly what's on it and how dangerous it is" Nolan was driving, his sharp eyes fixed on the road ahead, Liam nodded before returning his gaze to his phone. The safe house was my property, located on the city's outskirts, it was unassuming: an old warehouse on the surface but equipped with top-tier security and everything we'd need for the task. Liam turned to face me, his dark eyes burning with concern."You do
Alexander's POV The door to the tech lab clicked shut behind me, and the hum of machinery filled the air, my shoulders were taut as I leaned against the nearest wall, dragging a hand through my hair. Outside, Nolan and Liam were in the main space. Liam was flipping through a flyer he'd found on the desk, his lips pursed in thought.Nolan, on the other hand, paced with a phone pressed to his ear, his free hand gesturing sharply as he spoke, the sight of them was oddly grounding; their restlessness mirrored my own.I crossed to the water dispenser, grabbed a cup, and filled it, needing the coolness to steady my nerves, the water slid down my throat, but it did little to soothe the growing unease nagging at me.Liam caught the movement and looked up "So? Is it done?" he asked, setting the flyer down and crossing his arms. I crushed the empty cup in my hand, tossing it in the nearby bin with more force than necessary"Seven days" I said "Maybe nine, that's how long it'll take to decrypt
Thalia's POV The first thing I felt was the warmth of sunlight, filtering through the cream-colored curtains, brushing my face, as if to lure me back to reality. The air was heavy with the earthy scent of petrichor, tinged with cinnamon and vanilla.It was so familiar, so achingly familiar, my chest tightened, and my body felt heavy, the remnants of unconsciousness still clinging to me as I sat upright, clutching at the sheets. This place... I knew this place. The jug of water on the bedside table gleamed under the beam of sunlight, condensation trickling down its surface. My throat burned with thirst. I reached for it, my fingers trembling as I poured myself a glass. The water was cool and soothing, but the simple act of drinking it couldn't calm the typhoon brewing inside me.I staggered to the window, its glass slightly fogged, with shaky hands. I wiped at the pane to clear my view. My heart sank as I took in the sight, of the pristine lake surrounded by pines, their leaves still
Thalia's POV "But we're here now" Lilith said, her voice wrapped with warmth, like she was coaxing me into forgiveness.My gaze snapped to her, sharp and unrelenting "You can go back to whatever Tartarus-like hole you came from" I spat, my tone laced with venom. Her smile faltered, the warmth draining from her features, she looked at me with wide, disbelieving eyes, as if she couldn't believe the words I was saying. I couldn't believe them either. Lilith had been my best friend, we were opposites in many ways—her a dreamer, me a realist... but our souls had always tangled, I used to imagine what it would feel like if she ever came back, alive and whole. I would have run to her, embraced her, and never let her go. Yet now, with her standing in front of me, breathing and real, her presence felt suffocating."We're here to stay, Thalia" Tobias said gently "It was wrong of us to leave, and we know that, we're sorry. Incredibly sorry. But we're here now, and we're not going anywhere. Ev
Thalia's POV "You are engaged to the assassin?" My voice rose higher than I intended, unable to contain my shock. Lilith didn't flinch, instead, she interlocked her fingers with Kirill's, a gesture that felt too intimate."Not engaged either," she said softly, her gaze steady on mine.I froze, the weight of her words sinking in, if they weren't dating and they weren't engaged, that left only one possibility. "You married the assassin?!" The words burst out of me, my voice louder now, vibrating with incredulousness. Kirill remained seated at the table, completely unbothered, he leaned back in his chair, his sharp features emitting a mask of disinterest as he folded the newspaper with deliberate precision."Yes, we're married" Lilith said slowly, her tone calm, almost pleading, as if waiting for my reaction was the hardest part of this conversation. Her eyes searched mine, flickering with a nervous sort of anticipation. What did she expect me to say? I was still grappling with the
Thalia's POV After breakfast I was done eating breakfast I found myself wandering toward the living room, the decor had changed a little, with new touches here and there but the main parts still remained.My eyes caught on the familiar photos lined up there, and my feet moved instinctively toward the mantle. I traced the edges of the frame with my fingers as I studied the images. There was one of Lilith, Tobias, and I on the lake, Tobias and I were taking a swim while Lilith stopped and was talking to someone out of the frame, the cool glass oddly soothing. My lips twitched at the faint memory of it. Next to it was a more recent photo. Lilith stood with Kirill, his arm slung over her as they posed in front of wide stone steps irradiated by bright lights— Santorini, I guessed. They looked… happy. Very happy My eyes fell on another frame, this one was all of us, Lilith, Tobias, our parents, and me, posing in the anteroom at the manor.My throat tightened as tears stung my eyes befor
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