Chapter Twenty Six

Thea stepped out of the penthouse hours later and much to her relief, Seth had left for the office. Butler John had a car ready to drop her off at her location and as instructed by Seth, a guard was assigned to her.

More like Seth's personal spy.

The car pulled over by the parking lot and a man in a suit stepped out, pulling off his shades.

“Good morning, Ms Thea. I'm Ethan and I'll be your personal escort from now on.”

“Nice to meet you Ethan but do me a favour, you'll be in the car when we get to my destination.” Thea instructed firmly.

“I'm sorry ma'am but Mr Seth told me to make sure I'm with you at all times.”

Thea chuckled, what is she? A child?

“Ethan, it's your first day at work and I d0n’t want to make this difficult for you. It's either we do it my way or things are not going to look good for you.” Thea said calmly.

It was a threat but somehow, she managed to make it sound like an advice.

Ethan swallowed. “I promise to stay out of your way ma'am.”

Thea smiled and settled in the passenger's seat while Ethan took to the wheels and drove off.

The bridal store was just what Thea expected, the most expensive one in the city. The exact one she was supposed to buy her wedding dress from if her wedding with Runes had gone as planned.

As Thea walked in, Posy spotted her immediately, rushing forward with an outstretched hand and a wide smile.

"Thea, darling! You actually came!" Posy's voice was sweet, full of exaggerated warmth. She pulled Thea into a tight hug.

"Oh, it means so much to me that you're here. After... everything." She even managed to squeeze out a single tear.

Thea refrained from rolling her eyes and offered a small, polite smile, allowing the embrace without returning it with much warmth.

"Of course. I'm happy to help." She glanced around, noting the hushed whispers among the assistants.

“Isn't that Thea Balmero? The one who got disowned?” One of them whispered.

“Yes! It's really her. Why is Posy hugging her? I thought Thea was a terrible sister to her?”

“My point exactly. My goodness, Posy has such a big heart!”

“Right? I wouldn't even let her near me if I were her!”

Posy smirked, having heard everything they were trying to be so discreet about, her plan was working!

"Come on, I've picked out a few dresses that I think might be 'the one'!" Posy chirped, linking her arm through Thea's as they moved deeper into the store.

Thea's eyes landed on Etham who had strolled in a few seconds after she did, what part of stay in the car doesn't he understand?!

Ethan kept his distance, pretending to be interested in the suits, an aisle away from theirs.

Thea groaned internally! Seth is crossing the line and she'll make sure to point that out to him tonight!

Posy kept up the show, turning to Thea every few minutes, asking for her opinion with an overly earnest expression. "What do you think of this lace? Does it make me look... ethereal?"

Thea gave calm advice, pointing out details, suggesting small changes, playing the part of the supportive, forgiving bridesmaid-to-be.

She knew Posy wanted her there for the optics, to show the world how "good" she was, how she could rise above scandal.

Her reasons don't matter, Thea was just here to watch the train wreck in live action! Until then, she'll play Posy's little game.

They had just finished looking at a lovely, sparkling gown when the heavy glass doors of the boutique opened again. Thea glanced at the door briefly.

It was Runes Sterling, his eyes glued to his phone with a small smile playing on his lips.

Posy's eyes flickered towards Thea, a devious smile on her face as she watched the look of surprise on her.

Thea hadn't expected him. He was dressed in a dark suit, looking as arrogant as ever. Her eyes went down to his phone and the smile on his face. Was Yumi texting him? She chuckled, it had to be Yumi.

Runes' eyes finally scanned the room, landing on Posy and then, unsettlingly, on Thea.

Posy beamed. "Rune! You made it! I'm so glad you're here!" She hurried over, kissing his cheek.

Rune offered a dismissive smile to Posy, his eyes still fixed on Thea who's face remained neutral.

“You didn't tell me she was going to be here.” Runes said , his voice rather cold.

Posy glances from Thea and Runes in forged surprise. “I'm so sorry. It totally slipped my mind. Thea offered to be my maid of honour and she's helping me dress shop so...”

“You look well.” Thea cuts in, her words directed at Runes with a hint of sarcasm. She couldn't believe she had a crush on this man for years, hoping that he would be her first only for him to discard so easily..

Runes chuckled, his expression cold and mean.

"Just a moment, Rune," Posy chirped. "I'm going to try on the 'Starlight Dream' gown! Thea thinks it's perfect." She gestured to the store assistant. "Be right back."

As Posy disappeared into a dressing room with two eager assistants, Runes walked straight towards Thea. Before Thea could even react, he reached out, his hand wrapping around her upper arm, pulling her close with a sudden, jarring force. His grip was surprisingly strong, digging into her flesh through the fabric of her dress.

Thea frowned, her eyes glaring at him. “What is this?”

Ethan, who was sitting on a couch far away, behind Runes, lunged out of his seat. One glare from Thea and he went back to his seat but his eyes remained fixed on Runes.

"Who is he?" Rune demanded, his voice low, meant only for her ears.

His face was close, disgustingly close to her face it could make her puke!

"Who is this man you married? Where did he come from? You think you can just move on, after everything?"

Thea didn't flinch, even when his grip around her arm tightened.

"Let go of me," Thea said, looking him dead in the eye.

He ignored her, pulling her closer, his face contorted in anger. "Do you think I don't know what kind of game you're playing? Marrying some nameless man just to spite me? To try and rebuild your pathetic reputation?"

“What?” Thea couldn't believe her ears.

Runes smirked. “You think I don't know? You're trying to get back with me aren't you? Hence all these stunts..”

Thea bursts into laughter, she glanced at Runes serious face and she couldn't help but laugh even louder.

“You falter yourself Runes Sterling. To be fair, this is expected. You're very much sought after by everyone.”

Runes laughs. “So you admit it. You're doing this to get back with me? Thea, come on. Have some respect for your sister!”

Thea scoffs. “Those words coming out of your mouth are laughable, don't you think?”

“What?”

“I don't give a damn about you Runes. You can rot in hell for all I care..”

Thea twisted her arm, yanking it free from his grasp. She then shoved him hard on the chest, putting all her anger into the push. He stumbled back a step, clearly caught off guard by her force.

"And my life is no longer your business." Thea stated, "My husband is certainly none of your concern either. Perhaps you should focus on your own wife-to-be, Mr. Sterling. From what I hear, she might need your attention more than you realize."

Rune stopped dead, his eyes widening.

“What do you mean by that?” He gritted.

Thea smirks, folding her arms.

His jaw tightened, a muscle jumping in his cheek. He opened his mouth, as if to retort, but no words came out.

The dressing room curtain swished open, and Posy stepped out, dressed in a lovely gown. "What do you think?" she asked, twirling slowly, completely unaware of the tension in the air.

Thea turned to Posy, her expression immediately softening into a polite, encouraging smile, as if nothing had happened. "It's perfect. I'm sure Runes would love it." she adds.

Posy beamed. " Thank you."

Rune stood rooted to the spot, his face a mask of barely controlled anger. What did she mean by that statement?

“Runes? What do you think? Do you like it?” Posy asked and suddenly, all eyes were on him. Thea's, Posy's and the attendants in the bridal shop.

He nodded, forcing a smile. “It's good. I have to go.” He turned abruptly and walked out of the store, the heavy glass doors closing with a quiet click behind him.

Posy, caught up in the moment, barely noticed his sudden exit.

"He must have had a very important business meeting. " she said, shrugging. "So, about the veil..."

Thea smiled.

Important business meeting indeed, she thought. She knew that her words would eat at him, make him wonder how much she knew..

The game was far from over. This was just the beginning.