Chapter 5

Maybe it was guilt, but Terrence stayed by Thea's side the following days, balancing remote work with wedding preparations. Then, an unavoidable corporate cocktail party arose, and he insisted that Thea join him. Before she could refuse, he had a stylist sent to their home. Only when they arrived did Thea realize Alyssa was there, too. Dressed in a curve-hugging V-neck dress, Alyssa approached them, smiling as she said, "Mr. Hatcher, Ms. Lundy." Thea studied Alyssa. She moved with effortless grace, her demeanor perfectly composed. It was hard to believe this was the same woman who had provoked her just the night before. She was every bit as good an actor as Terrence. Thea hadn't missed the tension in Terrence's gaze when he noticed Alyssa or the subtle bob of his Adam's apple. Yet, he kept her hand firmly in his, playing the role of the indifferent superior, offering nothing more than a nod of acknowledgment. Spotting Terrence, party guests drifted over, drinks in hand and eager to chat. A few socialites tried making small talk with Thea, but she stayed in character, feigning deafness and pretending not to hear them. Terrence smiled and explained on her behalf. Then, as if worried she might grow bored, he excused himself to get her favorite pastries, setting them beside her with a glass of juice. The guests remarked approvingly at his thoughtfulness. "Mr. Hatcher truly is the perfect gentleman." "I'd heard how much Mr. Hatcher spoils his fiancée, and now I see it myself." Thea kept her eyes downcast, long lashes masking the sarcasm in her gaze. During the conversation, Terrence's phone rang. He glanced at the screen, and his expression shifted. "Excuse me. A work issue needs my attention," he said apologetically. Before leaving, he signed to Thea, "Something came up, Thea. Stay here. I'll be back soon." Almost instinctively, she scanned the room and noticed Alyssa was gone. Moments later, her phone buzzed. Alyssa had texted her. Attached was a screenshot of a chat log. The screenshot showed Alyssa's bare back, the zipper deliberately undone at the base, inviting all manner of suggestive thoughts. Beneath it, she'd written, "Mr. Hatcher, I can't get my zipper up. Care to help me out?" Terrence's response was brief. "Where?" "He couldn't hold back. We didn't even make it out of the restroom. People were just outside. It was so intense. He took me twice and left me barely able to stand. That's something you'll never make him feel. "And we didn't use protection again. We've stopped counting how often that's happened. He said if I got pregnant, he'd let me keep it. Who knows? Maybe I'm already carrying his child." Thea closed her eyes, pressing a hand firmly against her chest as if she could push the pain away. Had Terrence really been so desperate that he couldn't wait a few more hours? Her phone buzzed again. She steeled herself for another taunt from Alyssa but instead saw a message from the death-faking service. "Ms. Lundy, your new identity is ready. Your flight to Elseria departs in five days at 6:00 pm. We require final confirmation. Do you still wish to leave?" Thea activated her camera, positioned herself in frame, and recorded a brief video. "I confirm my decision to leave." The words had barely left her lips when a frantic voice interrupted from behind her, "Leave? You're leaving, Thea?"