A Trap Or Not

Posy smoothed the skirt of her pale pink dress with one hand while the other held a small tasting fork.

The luxurious cake shop on Kingsley Avenue smelled of sugar, buttercream and roasted coffee beans. Glass cases gleamed with three-tiered show cakes, their fondant bows frozen mid-loop. A young clerk hovered nearby with a notepad as Posy sampled another bite of red velvet.

“This one,” Posy murmured, tilting her head. “And perhaps a second tier of lemon. Runes loves lemon.”

“Yes madam. You have such great taste! The combination is perfect! I'm sure Mr Sterling would love it." the attendant said cheerfully.

The mention of h8s name made Posy’s cheeks flush. Three days ago he had surprised her in the garden behind her parents’ house, kneeling again even though they were already engaged. He had held out a new ring; larger, heavier, more dazzling than the first and asked if she would marry him.

She’d squealed yes and the photographers snapped photos for the society column. Now, with the date moved up, she would be Mrs. Sterling in less than two weeks!

Now, she had to hasten up with the planning and she had promised to sort out everything else. She had told her mother about the new development but for some reason Gina didn't say a word.

She didn't seem happy, nor did she seem sad. She was just…quiet which infuriated Posy. She could understand why her father didn't want to talk to her but her mother as well?

Her phone buzzed with a congratulatory message from the post she made about Runes ‘second’ proposal. She smiled at the screen. That's it. Who cares if her parents are treating her like a ghost? She would be married to Runes soon, save Balmero and relish in both her parents begging for her forgiveness!

She turned to the clerk. “We’ll go with the white-on-white piping, no gold. It should look timeless.”

“My thoughts exactly! Oh, Ms Balmero, you have such exquisite taste!” The clerk cheered.

Posy blushed, beaming with pride. A soft chime from the shop door drew her eyes up. The smile froze on her face.

Thea stood just inside the doorway, hair loose, a neutral-coloured coat thrown over her shoulders. She looked like she’d come from a meeting but her gaze on Posy was cool.

For an instant, neither of them moved. The background noise of espresso machines and conversation faded.

Then Posy’s lips curved into a social smile, the one she had perfected for charity luncheons. “Thea,” she said lightly. “What a surprise.”

Heads turned almost instantly and whispers followed.

“Isn't that Thea Blackwood? Seth Blackwood's secret wife?”

"My, my, my! She looks breathtaking!”

“Oh! That jacket is a limited edition from Neon Frank! The most expensive designer in the country!”

Posy could see the glances, hear the whispers and she struggled to keep her smile in place despite the desperate need to shove Thea out of the store!

Thea stepped further in, glancing at the display case. “Hello, Posy.”

The clerk gasped on seeing Thea, eyes wide open in shock. “Ms Blackwood..” she muttered.

Posy glanced at the clerk whose full attention was now on Thea and groaned internally. Just moments ago she was kissing up to her. Now that Thea was here, she switched up.

Posy scoffed. That ass kissing…

The clerk hurried towards Thea. “What would you like to order Ms Blackwood..”

Posy stormed out of her seat and walked towards Thea, planting herself in between her and the clerk.

She smiled sweetly “Do you mind giving us some space? I would like to speak with my sister alone.”

The clerk nods, eyes still fixed on Thea like she had just met her childhood hero. “Yes ma'am”

The clerk walked away hesitantly.

Posy's hateful eyes met Thea's, whispering. “I didn’t expect to see you here. Are you stalking me?”

“I was nearby,” Thea said. “Thought I’d pick something up. Stalking you is a perfect waste of my time.”

“Of course.” Posy took a step closer. Up close, her perfume was sharp and expensive. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “You should leave.”

Thea blinked. “Excuse me?”

“This is my day,” Posy hissed under her breath. “You shouldn’t be here. Not as Blackwood’s wife.”

Thea chuckled in disbeleif. “I don't understand. I came here because they sell really beautiful cakes here and I craved one. So I'm here..”

Posy scoffed. “You think you can just waltz into any store because you're now a blackwood?!”

Thea nods. “I don't see anything wrong with that..”

Posy gritted her teeth. “I don't know how you managed to get Seth Blackwood to marry you but one thing is for sure. You seduced him. Blackmailed him maybe. No sane man would marry you after that mess you made.” Posy said, voice dipping with venom.

Thea’s jaw tightened. “How I met Seth?”

“Yes.” Posy’s voice cracked. “How? How did you slither from my fiancé’s bed to his rival’s? Aren't you ashamed of yourself?"

Thea’s eyes darkened. She took one slow step forward until they were nearly toe-to-toe. “ Shame? You. Posy Balmero. Dared to speak to me about shame?!”

“You drugged me the night of my engagement party,” Thea said quietly. “Remember? The drink you handed me? I stumbled into Seth Blackwood’s room because of you. That’s how.”

Posy’s eyes went wide. She darted a glance at the couple in the corner, then at the door. No one seemed to be listening. She leaned closer, her nails biting into the edge of the counter. “Shut up,” she whispered.

“I’m only reminding you.” Thea’s voice stayed even. “You begged me to be your bridesmaid. I’ll do just that, whether you like it or not.”

Posy’s hands trembled in her side.“If you ruin my wedding…”

“I won’t ruin anything,” Thea cut in. “Infact, I'm glad you and Runes are getting married. At least I will be certain that your man will stop coming to look for me..”

“You…” Posy almost launched at her but then she remembered she was in public and people were watching.

“You sick witch!”

Thea smirked. “I learned from the best. You should carry on with your cake shopping. You don't want to embarrass yourself in front of Fiona, do you?”

Before Posy could say a word, Thea walked past her and headed straight for the clerk that was attending to Posy.

She soon leaves with a box full of cupcakes in her hands before her security rushed over to help her with it.

Thea sent a smirk Posy’s way as she walked out of the store, the bell over the door chiming softly behind her.

Posy stood frozen in the sweet-smelling shop, breathing hard. Her heart hammered against her ribs. She had everything she’d ever wanted; Runes, the wedding, the headlines but one wrong word from Thea could topple it all.

She forced her hands to stop shaking and smiled weakly at the clerk who reappeared with a box of sample cupcakes despite her irritation with her.

Outside, the air was crisp and damp from a recent shower. Thea had only gone a few steps when she heard someone call her name.

“Thea.”

She turned. Gina stood on the sidewalk, holding a leather handbag, her blonde hair pulled into a neat chignon. Posy’s mother, her own stepmother. Her green eyes softened when she saw Thea, and the smile that rose to her lips wasn’t practiced society charm but genuine relief.

“You’re all right,” Gina said, reaching for Thea’s hands. “I’ve been worried sick.”

Thea shifted back, pulling her hands free. “I’m fine.”

It didn't matter if Gina meant well, the words she said to Thea that day was unforgivable. Thea turned to leave.

“Can we talk? Just us? Please.”

Gina’s voice was gentle but urgent.

Thea shook her head. “I don’t think we have anything to say.”

“We do,” Gina said. “More than you realise.”

“I’m busy,” Thea replied, starting to move towards her car.

Gina’s next words stopped her. “I believe you about Posy.”

Thea turned slowly. “What?”

“I believe you,” Gina repeated. Her voice wavered. “That she drugged you. That night.”

Thea stared at her. For months she had lived with whispers of infidelity and humiliation, everyone believing the story Posy’s camp had spread.

To hear Gina, Posy’s own mother, say this was like being plunged into cold water.

“Why are you telling me this now?” she asked.

Gina’s eyes glistened. She exhaled shakily and reached into her bag, fingers brushing over a small handkerchief.

“Because I have evidence. I overheard Posy on the phone with someone. I heard everything. I didn’t know how to come forward without destroying my daughter, but…” She trailed off, swallowing hard. “I can’t watch this anymore.”

Thea’s heart pounded. “You’ve known this all this time?”

Gina nodded, tears slipping down her cheeks. “I tried to tell myself she made a mistake,but I was lying to myself. What she did was wrong. There's no defending a wrong act. ”

The street noise faded around them: a bus sighing to a stop, a dog barking across the road. Thea felt the world tilt slightly under her feet.

“You’re serious,” she said finally.

“I am.” Gina’s voice was a whisper now. “Please. Let me explain somewhere private. We can go to my car.”

Thea stepped back. Her mind raced with images of headlines, of courtrooms, of Posy’s triumphant smile at the engagement party. She didn’t know whether to scream or hug Gina or run.

“I don’t know what you’re playing at,” Thea said carefully. “But if this is a trick…”

“It’s not.” Gina’s hand trembled as she extended it again. “I’m trying to do the right thing.”

Thea hesitated, then shook her head. “I can’t. Not right now.”

She turned and started walking away. Behind her, Gina stood motionless on the pavement, clutching her bag like a lifeline.

“Thea!” she called softly. “Please. We can end this.”

But Thea didn’t stop, she stepped into the car and allowed Ethan to shut the door behind her. She needed space, air, and time to think. Her pulse thundered in her ears.

Evidence.

All this time, evidence existed. If Gina was telling the truth, Posy’s entire story could collapse. Her wedding, her reputation, everything.

Half a block away Thea finally looked up at the windows, staring at the blinking light but seeing only the cake shop behind her. She could still feel Gina’s fingers on her hand, still hear the tremor in her voice. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply.

Could she be telling the truth? Should she trust her?