UNSETTLING GRIN

RACHEL

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Uh…”

“There.” He cut in. “You’re set.”

I forced a stiff smile and turned toward him. “Thank you,” I said quietly.

He led the way out. Marie clasped her hands together the moment I stepped out, her eyes litting up like she had just seen something rare and beautiful.

“Cette robe est faite pour vous,” she said with a broad smile.

“What?” I responded, confused.

“This dress was made for you. It’s so perfect,” she translated, smiling even wider.

I hadn’t even properly looked at myself because of— God. I shouldn’t think about what happened in the dressing room.

She gestured to one of the staff, who wheeled over a full-length mirror. I stared at my reflection, surprised by how beautiful I looked.

Just a simple, white, knee-length flare dress. Harmless. And elegant.

“Just a final touch.” Marie stepped behind me and pulled down my ponytail, letting my hair fall over my shoulders.

“Now that’s a ten.”

I smiled. “Thank you.”

She nodded, then winked at Thane. The two of them spoke quietly in a corner before he walked back to me.

The minute we got into his car, it suddenly hit me. He wasn’t dressed up.

He doesn’t plan on going like that… does he?

I was about to ask when he started pulling off his shirt.

“What the hell are you doing?” I shouted.

He glanced at me. “What does it look like?”

He started unbuckling his trousers.

My hands flew to cover my face. “You do realize this is inappropriate, right?”

“Changing in my car is inappropriate? That’s new.”

I heard fabric rustling and the sound of his belt fastening again.

“It wouldn’t have killed you to do that inside before we left. Do you always have to show off your…”

I stopped myself. There was no way I was finishing that sentence out loud.

He chuckled softly. A second later, the engine roared to life.

I slowly lowered my hands. He was already dressed. His white shirt on, black blazer over it. The top buttons were still undone, his hair slightly messy.

But he still looked… You know. Annoyingly hot. I hate that I noticed.

Finally, Thane pulled in front of the venue, killed the engine, and stepped out of the car.

My eyes wandered to the guests walking in with their partners. Mum didn't mention a red carpet. I expected a big three-star hotel.

But this? This was far more intimidating. I adjusted my dress nervously.

“You don’t have to be nervous.” Thane walked around the car with a proud grin and held out his arm for me. “I’m here.”

I rolled my eyes but took his arm anyway.

As if he were the star of the night, reporters and paparazzi suddenly swarmed toward us, cameras flashing, even with the bouncers trying to hold them back. 

Thane, of course, looked like he was enjoying every second of it.

Just as we stepped onto the platform, a hand grabbed him from behind.

We both turned, but I barely got a proper look before he swore.

“Fuck.” His face twisted with horror. “Mum?”

My eyes widened. Despite the noise, I clearly heard him say mum.

Wait. This woman is his mum?

He dropped my arm immediately. “I’ll meet you inside.”

And just like that, he dragged the woman he’d just called his mother away with him.

THANE

Three years felt like yesterday. Staring at the same woman who brought nothing but pain into my life felt like stepping into an old burn all over again.

I stopped somewhere away from the chaos outside and dropped her wrist.

“Honey…” she began, but I shut her down.

“Why the fuck did you come here?” My tone was restrained, but it took everything in me to keep it that way.

She didn’t answer. Her eyes searched mine with that same look that broke me years ago.

“I’m leaving if you don’t start talking. Do you understand?”

“Thane…” Her voice cracked with a shaky smile. “Honey, I’ve missed you. A lot.”

I scoffed and looked away, dragging a hand through my hair.

“I’m sorry I just barged in without—”

“That’s enough,” I cut in. “You knew you were never supposed to come near me or Pops…” My voice caught in my throat.

“You still listen to everything your father tells you?” Her eyes locked onto mine. “Simon is a monster clothed in human skin. I told you…”

“Stop it!. Alright?” I barked, my voice breaking. I couldn’t keep listening to this. I couldn’t. “You don’t get to call someone a monster. Not the man who stopped you from ruining our lives. Your life. I’m not letting you get into my head again.” I bit my lip hard. “You better make sure no one sees you. Pops’ gonna lose it if he finds out.”

My chest was pounding as I turned to walk away. But she ran after me and grabbed my arm. I spun around instantly and jerked free.

“You think your father locked me up in that wretched place just to keep me away from you? Or because of-of whatever lies he’s been feeding you?” Her voice trembled. “Look at me, Thane. Do I look crazy to you?”

My heart twisted because I knew she was desperate. Desperate to pull me to her side.

“Are you seriously asking me that?” I laughed bitterly. “Mum, you drained yourself with drugs—whatever you could get your hands on. And now you’re here spinning stories about Pops being a monster barely a week after you got out…”

I froze.

Shit.

Her eyes widened the next second. “You knew?”

I looked away, but she grabbed my chin firmly, forcing me to face her. “Thane, you knew I’d been released and you still…”

I pulled back. “It doesn’t fucking matter to me. Just leave.”

I turned and walked away. This time faster. Fast enough that her voice echoed behind me when she shouted my name.

The second I reached my car, I unlocked it, yanked the door open, and slid inside. Without thinking, I started the engine and sped out onto the road.

If I didn’t clear my head right now, I was going to lose it.

***

RACHEL

Thane’s been gone for almost an hour.

My mind keeps running through all the possible things that could be happening, whatever made him drag his mum away like that.

But he told me to wait for him.

So… that’s what I’ve been doing for the last thirty-five minutes. Smiling politely at everyone Simon introduces me to.

The strange part? He didn’t even question it when I said Thane went to pick Noah up.

Yeah. Stupid lie. But it was the best I could come up with. And now it’s about to blow up in my face.

Because Noah just walked in with… Yeah.

Tiara.

The moment T spotted me at my table, she squealed something, though the soft background music drowned out whatever she said. She rushed over and pulled me into a tight hug. I nearly choked on the last sip of wine in my mouth.

“Mmm… my baby,” she sang into my ear before letting go.

“Yo, Rachel.” Noah grinned.

Without wasting time, I dragged both of them away from the crowd, anywhere Simon wouldn’t see us from where he stood chatting with his partners.

“Whoa, whoa, easy girl,” Noah muttered when I finally stopped in the corridor.

“Did you see Thane outside?” I asked quickly.

They exchanged a look before turning back to me, confused.

“Wait… did something happen to Thane? Again?” Tiara frowned.

“Again?” Noah repeated, already turning to her.

“Yeah. Something happened before. I forgot to tell you.”

“Guys, please,” I cut in, my voice tight. “Just answer me. I told Simon Thane went to pick you up.” I pointed at Noah. “So if you’re here and he’s not… I don’t know what I’m supposed to tell Simon.”

“Okay, I’m officially confused,” Tiara said. “But have you tried calling him?”

“I wouldn’t be this tense if I hadn’t. He’s not picking up. That’s the problem.”

Tiara let out a dramatic sigh and gave me that exaggerated smile she always uses when she thinks I’m overreacting.

“Relax, babe. Thane’s a grown adult. And this might shock you, but he doesn’t need anyone, not even you, worrying about him. Once he puts his shit together, he’ll show up. He always does.”

She slung an arm over my shoulder and pulled me close.

“So let’s forget about the lost prince and focus on having fun.”

Right. What did I expect?

I groaned as they walked back toward the party. I followed slowly, still uneasy.

I had barely reached my table when a hand suddenly grabbed my wrist.

I turned slowly. A wide unsettling grin greeted me.

And… my heart dropped to my stomach.