Chapter 14%
Bianca wiped her tears, suddenly composed herself, and looked at me with sharp clarity in her eyes.
“Troy, why are you so confident?” Her voice was steady now, almost cold “Do you even realize how many cruel things you’ve done to Thalia for my sake all these years?”
She didn’t wait for my response. One by one, she began listing them
“You missed Thalia’s graduation day to attend my birthday dinner. You never brought her to family events because I said I didn’t like seeing her. And even after I hit her–smashed a heel right next to her head–you only grounded me for one day. One day, Troy
Her words echoed through the room like gunshots, brutal and undeniable.
“She’s not coming back,” Bianca said with a broken laugh, close to hysterics. “She really doesn’t want you anymore
I stayed silent, my expression unreadable. But inside, I felt the ground shifting beneath my feel/
“Tomorrow,” I said calmly, my men will take you back to the Groen estate. You’re going to meet the fiancé Dad arranged for you.”
Bianca’s eyes widened. “You’re really going to do that?!”
I looked at her, voice low but unwavering. “Isn’t that what you wanted? I’ll do as s you wish. From this moment on, everything will return to how it should be. Thalia is my wife. And you… you’re just my sister.”
I turned around and walked away without looking back, knowing full well this was the line that should’ve been drawn years ago.!!
Once in the car, I grabbed my phone and called my assistant. My voice was sharp. “Find out where Thalia is.“)
There was hesitation on the other end. For the first time, my usually composed assistant sounded unsure. “Mr. Green… maybe you should let her go.
I gripped the phone tighter. “Have you forgotten who you work for?”
A pause, then a bitter breath from him. “I haven’t forgotten. But I care about her too.“%
1 froze. “What did you just say?”
He didn’t hold back. “I said, I care about her. She’s warm, sincere, thoughtful like a fire in winter. Anyone would fall for her. You can fire me if you want,” he added with quiet finality l
I clenched the phone so tightly my knuckles turned white. “No. Do your job. If you don’t track her down, I have someone else do it.
I ended the call and sat alone in the dark car, a cigarette burning between my fingers. The smoke curled around me like ghosts I couldn’t shake.X
And there she was again in my mind–Thalia at twenty, in that red silk dress, standing at the foot of my study stairs, all fierce eyes and trembling lips. She’d looked like fire. She’d been so full of life once.
But marriage to me had snuffed her out. I remembered how she’d started dressing more simply, speaking less, always watching waiting. Always waiting.
She memorized how I liked my tea. She would iron my coat when it rained. She once waited all night outside the meditation room when I refused to let anyone disturb me.X
And what had I given her in return? Nothing but silence.
Most nights, she curled up on the living room sofa, whispering to herself. Troy, when will you finally look at me?”
My phone buzzed. A message from my assistant.
[Thatia is in New Zealand
I stared at it, brows furrowed.
New Zealand?
She went to… him?)
Xander?”
I stubbed out the cigarette and didn’t hesitate.X
I dialed my father’s number. “Dad,” I said, my voice low and resolute, “Til be the one to choose Blanca’s fiancé,
There was a pause, then he chuckled. “About time. I’ve got files on more than a dozen suitable men. Come by the old estate and take a look.”
“Alright,” I said, and ended the call, I booked the first flight to New Zealand immediately after)
Back at the Green estate, my father was in a good mood. He spread out a dozen photos of polished young heirs across the coffee table. “These are all top–tier candidates,” he said “Good looks, excellent family background, proper reputation. Each one worthy of Bianca”
I looked through them silently until one caught my eye.
“The youngest Smith’s heir” I said, picking the photo up. “He’s soft–tempered. He won’t make a scene. She won’t suffer
Father beamed. “Excellent choice. I’ve always liked that boy”
I rose from the couch, already thinking of my next move. “I still have matters to handle. I’ll head out.”
But just as I reached the door, my father called after me. “Troy, wait.”
I turned slightly, hand on the doorknob
