Chapter Thirteen

The car pulled over at the Balmero estate; A knot formed in her stomach as Thea stared out.

It had been weeks since she was last here, thrown out of the very home she had grown up in. She shuts her eyes to steady her breathing, all she had to do was go in there, listen to what her father had to say, and be on her way out.

There's no reason to panic. She's no longer a Balmero, she had nothing to lose either way.

As she stepped out of the car and before she could even reach the front door, it swung open, and Posy emerged.

She gasped, hands over mouth like she just discovered what acting was. Thea scoffed, Posy wasn't even trying to be convincing anymore.

"Thea! Oh, Thea, you're here!" Posy rushed forward, her short dark hair bouncing with her hurried movements.

Her arms outstretched as if to embrace Thea, a look of innocence in her eyes. "I've been so worried about you!"

Thea stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes met Posy's, unblinking. The pretense was sickening. She didn’t smile or pretend to acknowledge her or her hug. Just a blank stare and a deafening silence that hung heavy between them.

Posy's outstretched arms faltered, then dropped awkwardly to her sides, and her forced smile fell under Thea’s intense stare.

“You could at least say hello,” Posy said, her voice laced with irritation.

“I believe we've gotten past the pretence. There's no one here to put up a show for so, you can speak more comfortably.” Thea replied calmly, face devoid of emotion.

Posy chuckled, folding her arms as she glared at Thea.

“You don't have anything, yet you act all high and mighty. Shouldn't you act more of your status? You're no longer a Balmero.” Posy reminded, a twisted smile on her face.

Thea nodded. “Yes. You're right. I'm not. And that makes you the only daughter of the Balmero family. How's that going for you?” Thea asked and Posy's smile began to waver.

Thea smirked, of course, it's been terrible!

“It's been surprisingly easy! I don't know why you make the things you do look so difficult. You sure love giving yourself credit where it isn't due.”

Thea's smile remained in place, she could see right through the pretence.

“I'm glad you're doing a great job.”

Posy smirks. “I'm doing a better job than you, to say the least.”

Gina appeared at the grand stairs in the centre of the room, approaching the doorway. She seemed relieved to see Thea, her face softening momentarily.

"Is that Thea?” She asked, struggling to see past Posy's back standing by the entrance.

“Yes, mother! I'm so glad she's safe.” Posy said.

Gina approached the door, a look of relief in her eyes. “I'm glad you're okay. I know things have been…a bit rough but I hope we can figure things out as a family.”

Thea stayed silent, she had nothing to say. Gina sighs, nodding slightly.

“Come in. Adam is waiting in the second living area." Gina offered, leading both girls towards the second living area.

They entered the second living area, a spacious room overlooking gardens. Adam was seated in his favourite armchair, a cup of coffee in his hand, staring out at the lush greenery, his posture as rigid as ever.

“Adam? Thea is here.”

Adam sets his coffee on the table slowly before turning his eyes towards Thea. She stared right back at him, no greetings, not even a small smile was sent his way.

“You called for me,” Thea said simply.

“Thea, come on. Dad has been worried since you left that day. The least you could do is apologise.”

Thea glanced at Posy, she could try to tolerate her if her mouth was shut.

“And all the news in the tabloids? It's giving Dad a headache. Just apologise, admit you're wrong.” Posy adds.

“If you called me here so I can apologise, you are mistaken. I am not sorry. And I won't apologise.”

“But…” Posy started.

“It's enough. She just got back home, let it rest..” Gina paused as her gaze fell on Thea's left hand. Her eyes widened, focusing on the diamond ring on Thea's ring finger.

It wasn't Rune Sterling's engagement ring; Gina knew that one well, she had helped him choose the right ring! Besides, thea was wearing two bands, a plain gold ring stacked on a diamond ring.

"Thea, what is this?" Gina finally blurted out, her eyes still fixated on the ring. "This ring... are you... Are you still holding on to Rune? Or is this a new engagement ring?"

Thea glanced down at her finger as Posy and Adam's attention drew towards it.

Before Thea could answer, Posy cut in, her voice laced with irritation. "That's not Rune's ring! Rune's ring was... different. Smaller." She glared at the stone on Thea's finger.

Thea tucks her hands away. “We're not here to discuss my business, are we?”

"You got married, didn't you?! Without telling anyone? Without involving us?" Posy's voice rose. “You have two bands, that means you're married right?”

Adam slowly turned his head towards Thea. His stern gaze was now overshadowed by a look of surprise.

"Is that true, Thea?" he demanded. "Have you married someone without our knowledge?"

Thea met his gaze, and a bitter laugh escaped her lips. "Why do you care, Father?" she asked, her voice calm. "By all standards, I am no longer a Balmero. You disowned me. Who I choose to marry, or not marry, should not bother you in the slightest." Her words hung in the air, cold and direct.

“Who is he? Some lowlife without a future? Is that thing even real?” Posy snapped.

“Excuse me?” Thea replied, brows furrowed.

“Is that diamond real? It has to be fake. There's no way any sane member of the elite society would marry you after what happened!”

“Posy!” Gina cautioned.

“So you're telling me that you got married without sending us an invitation?” Adam asked, but he couldn't seem to believe she would do such a thing.

“You made it clear that I don't have parents anymore so I did what any orphan would do on their wedding day. Why are you upset? Posy is your only daughter now.”

“Can you hear yourself?” Adam growled, flaring at Thea who stood still, unfazed.

Gina, sensing the argument escalating, quickly stepped in. "Now, now, let's not start. This is not the time for arguments. Thea, dear, we were just concerned."

She shot a warning glance at Posy, who, despite being quiet, was fuming. How could she have moved on so quickly? She didn't even let the dust of her relationship with Runes settle before jumping to someone new! Posy clenched her jaw and her fist in anger.

Adam exhaled, leaning back into his seat. “Who is he? And I want to meet him.”

Thea chuckled. “No. You're not going to meet him.”

“Thea, dear, please. Don't upset your father anymore than he already is.” Gina pleaded but Thea ignored her.

"Thea," Adam began, his voice authoritative, "your sister, Posy, has pleaded with me that you attend her wedding. It would reflect poorly on the family if you were absent, especially after recent... events."

Thea scoffed aloud, a harsh, humorless sound that broke the silence. She couldn't believe her father's audacity.

"You expect me to attend Posy's wedding?" Thea asked. "After everything?”

“What Adam is trying to say is, we're a family and it won't reflect well on us if you're not present,” Gina explained.

“I doubt anyone would care. Everyone knows I'm no longer a Balmero so don't worry, you don't need me to save face.” Thea said simply.

“Thea!” Gina cautioned.

"No. I will not be attending.”

Adam's face darkened, a muscle twitching in his jaw. Gina looked aghast. Posy, seeing her plan was starting to crumble, burst into dramatic tears. She sank to her knees, clutching her hands together in a desperate plea.

"Thea! Please, don't say that!" Posy sobbed, tears streaming down her face, "It would mean so much to me! Please, just for me! Please come to my wedding! I'm begging you!"

Thea chuckled, Posy was getting better at playing the victim, she almost fell for it!

“Why?” Thea asked and Posy’s sobbing stopped abruptly. She knew the answer to that question but couldn't say it out loud. Not here. Not when her father and mother watched in silence.

“You're my sister.” Posy started, her voice quivering. “I've always dreamed of having you as my maid of honour. My wedding will be incomplete without you.”

Thea remained unmoved. Her cold gaze fixed on Posy, seeing through the act. She chuckled. “You make me laugh.”

Without another word, Thea turned and walked out of the living area.

"Thea! You defy me?!" Adam bellowed in anger.

“Thea please! I'm begging you..”

“Thea…thea..”

She ignored all their calls, she had a husband to get back to.