TBG - Chapter 11: The Ocean's Edge

The drive was long, but the moment they arrived, the sight before them took Nadia’s breath away. The car came to a halt by the cliff’s edge, the moonlight reflecting off the vast, dark ocean below. The waves gently crashed against the rocks, and the only sounds were the whispers of the wind and the occasional distant calls of seabirds.

“Come on,” Theodore said, breaking the stillness. His voice was softer than usual, almost inviting. “Let’s take a walk.”

Nadia followed him, stepping out of the car. As soon as her feet hit the ground, she removed her heels, holding them in one hand as she walked barefoot on the cool grass. Theodore couldn’t help but watch her for a moment, his brow furrowing in curiosity. Why did she take off her shoes so casually? It was a strange, simple gesture, but it made her seem… freer than he expected. It made him wonder about her, about the kind of woman she was beneath the surface. 

Theodore, noticing her discomfort, quickly removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. She gave him a quick, grateful smile, the moonlight catching her eyes, and pulled the fabric tighter around her. Though she didn’t comment, he could see the slight relief in her expression as the warmth from his jacket settled over her.

“Thanks,” she said softly, her voice almost a whisper as they walked toward the edge of the cliff, sitting down on the grass.

The moon was high above them, casting a silver glow on the vast expanse of the ocean below. It was quiet, peaceful, and for the first time in a while, Theodore felt a strange sense of calm. The waves crashing below seemed to match the silence in his mind. But the peace didn’t last long. After a few moments, Theodore broke the stillness, his voice low and careful.

“You know,” he began, looking out at the ocean as if the words had to come from somewhere deep inside. “Sheena was my first girlfriend. My mother introduced us when we were both younger. Sheena’s a celebrity, and her parents are business partners of my father. She seemed like the perfect match for me… someone who understood the spotlight, the pressures of being constantly in the public eye.”

Nadia listened in silence, her eyes tracing the waves below them, but her mind was already working. She could tell there was more to the story than Theodore was saying, but she didn’t interrupt. He continued after a beat, his voice growing more distant.

“We were together for three years,” Theodore went on, the memories slipping out of him in pieces. “Sheena was a celebrity, and being with her meant living in the constant glare of the public eye. I loved her, but I couldn’t be that person, always under scrutiny, always on display. I want to live a private life, away from the public's gaze—completely different from what she wanted. She wanted to flaunt our relationship, to show everyone that I was her boyfriend."

Nadia, surprised by his honesty, shifted her legs, sitting cross-legged in the grass, trying to understand. The sound of the ocean seemed louder now, almost as if urging Theodore to speak more freely. He continued, his words less guarded, more personal.

“I broke up with her. I didn’t want to, but I knew I had to. And she—” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “She begged me not to leave. But for some reason, it was easy for me to walk away. I left her behind and just... forgot about everything we had. I don’t know why it was so effortless, but it felt like the only option."

Nadia felt a quiet sympathy for him. She had no idea what it must’ve been like for him.

“So, do you still love her?” Nadia asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. She didn’t know why she was asking, but something in her wanted to know if there was something unaddressed between Theodore and his past?

Theodore’s gaze shifted to her, his eyes suddenly intense. “No,” he answered firmly, but there was a flicker of something else behind the walls he had built. 

Nadia turned her gaze toward Theodore, her eyes narrowing slightly. “So, is that the reason why you agreed to that interview earlier? To announce our... fake relationship? This was all just to make sure she knew about it?” She tilted her head, studying his face for a hint of truth.

Theodore didn't immediately respond. His fingers traced the edge of the grass beneath them, his mind momentarily drifting. Then, his expression hardened, and he turned to face her, his voice steady and devoid of emotion. “It’s part of the plan, Nadia,” he said flatly. “It was intentional. I needed to make sure my uncle and cousin knew I’m getting married soon. That’s the only way to secure the inheritance from my father’s estate. The announcement had to be made, even if it’s all part of the act.”

Nadia remained silent for a moment, taking in his words. The gravity of his explanation settled over her like a heavy blanket. “So, it was all for the money?” she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. “You used me for that?”

She let the silence stretch between them as they sat, staring out at the ocean, the gentle breeze tugging at their clothes. The night was still, but in the stillness, there was a question hanging in the air. Theodore was a man of power, of wealth, but did he ever wonder if he was sacrificing something for all of it?

Nadia stood up slowly, turning toward him. “Let’s go,” she said quietly. She didn’t feel like talking anymore. 

Theodore followed her silently, his jacket still draped over her shoulders, the weight of the evening still hanging between them.

The ocean was endless, but the night was fading, and so was the moment of clarity that had almost been theirs.

Theodore carefully drove Nadia to the house he owned, the silence between them speaking volumes. When they finally arrived, Nadia immediately stepped out of the car, eager to see her brother. As she made her way to the front door, her younger brother Chris rushed toward her. His eyes were bright with an energy she hadn’t seen in weeks, and before she could even speak, he threw his arms around her in a tight hug.

“I’m doing better, Nads,” Chris said, his voice filled with relief. “I feel stronger than I’ve ever been.”

Nadia’s heart swelled as she hugged him back. Her face lit up with a smile, but her eyes betrayed her—tears began to form, unable to hide the emotion that flooded her at seeing Chris so much better. She had fought so hard to give him this chance, and seeing him truly alive and healthy was all she needed to feel like everything was worth it.

Meanwhile, Theodore stood at the side, watching the reunion quietly. A soft smile curved on his lips, an expression rarely seen. There was something about the genuine connection between Nadia and her brother that stirred something within him. He wasn’t one to show much emotion, but there was a warmth that spread through him as he observed the bond they shared. 

Though he had come to fulfill a deal with her, Theodore couldn’t ignore the small part of him that appreciated this glimpse of happiness Nadia found in the simplest of moments. He watched them quietly, content in his own way.