CHAPTER THREE

{Thea}

I was frozen in place by the scene before me. Jennifer’s fingers curled possessively around Curtis’ chest. My Curtis.

I wanted, more than anything, to slap the smug expression she had on, but I was too busy battling the chill that ran down my spine from watching Curtis curl his arm around Jennifer’s waist.

He pulled her into him and bit her lower lip, eliciting a moan from her lips.

“C-Curtis… What’s going on?” I wanted to reach out to hold him, but something told me I wouldn’t like the reaction I would get.

“Oh Thea, you poor thing. You really believed Curtis loved you, didn’t you?” Jennifer’s voice dripped with condescension as she spoke, her eyes mocking me. “He’s never once loved you.”

It felt like someone had grabbed my heart and was slowly squeezing it.

I waited for Curtis to tell her to shut up, and that this… this prank, had gone on longer than intended.

But as my eyes shifted to him, I saw the side of his lips curl into a cold smile.

“Thea,” he said, stepping forward. “I honestly didn’t want it to end like this. I hoped I’d never have to see you again.”

“Curtis, what are you saying?” 

I shook my head, refusing to believe the words that came out of his mouth.

“You see, I’ve had my eyes on Leighton Steels for years now, and being one of the biggest steel companies in America, you understood how important it was for me to have it.” 

He chuckled, “I’ve always loved that about you. But now that it’s mine, I don’t need you anymore.”

My heart thumped, and I could barely hear anything other than the beating of my own heart.

Then I remembered something, and relief flooded me instantly

“W-Wait… I never gave you the ownership documents.” My hands immediately clutched my handbag tighter, and I took a step back.

I saw the light slowly go out in Curtis’ eyes out of realization and I laughed in a short, small gasp.

“You sure about that?” Jennifer flashed me a smile, and my heart sank immediately.

“No.”

I quickly put my hand into my bag, and panic gripped me instantly.

“It’s not here. Why is it not here?”

I was sure I had them when I entered the building… or did it fall off in the cab?

“Security,” Jennifer called out, and the door opened.

A guard walked in carrying a familiar folder in his hand. The very same guard who had stopped me when I came through the door.

“No…” I shook my head, “How did you—”

“Thank you, Frank. You’ve been very helpful.” Jennifer smiled and collected the folder from him.

Then she looked back at me and narrowed her eyes, “You played right into my trap the second you walked through that door.”

And that’s when it hit me, and I felt my heart break right then and there.

I was so blinded by my need to see Curtis that I dropped my bag, walked through that scanner, and picked it up so fast I didn’t realize the documents had been removed.

Curtis laughed, but it was nothing like the warm laugh that I was used to. It was cold, and sinister. “Seems you’ve served your purpose, Thea. You may go now.”

“Curtis… please.” My voice cracked as I begged. “W-We’re… we’re married. You love me.”

“Love?” 

He scoffed, grabbing my arm and pulling me close so I could hear his next words clearly.

“I’ve never loved you, Thea. Never have, and never will.”

He beckoned to the security guard and shoved me into his arms.

“Get her out of my sight”

****

The guard threw me out of the building, causing me to stumble and fall into a dirty puddle of water.

The murmurs and laughter of the people walking past reached my ears, but I couldn’t care less.

I stood up to my feet, and without looking back at the guard or the building, I swallowed my embarrassment and walked away, clutching my bag to my chest like it was some sort of lifeline.

With each step, my head felt heavier and heavier. It seemed the jet lag had finally caught up with me, but where could I possibly go?

Curtis had sold our house, and now I had nowhere to lay my head. I was no better than a homeless person all because I chose to trust someone I believed loved me as much as I loved him.

This can’t be happening, it has to be some terrible nightmare.

Where am I going to go?

How am I going to get my company back?

I kept my face down and walked as far as my legs could carry me. The weight of my thoughts only worsened the dizziness I felt, and as the cool evening air hit my skin, causing me to pull my coat together, a taxi zoomed past me, and the driver yelled. 

“Get outta the road, dumbass!”

I jumped back in fright, and that’s when I finally looked up.

A huge building towered above me, and immediately, I had an idea.

I walked into the building and headed straight for the receptionist's desk.

“Mr’s Blackwood,” she greeted with a smile. “Welcome back to the Opal Crescent Hotel. Shall I prepare your honeymoon suite as usual?”

I forced a smile, “Not this time, Catherine. I would like a regular suite please, and put it under Mr Blackwood’s credit card like always.”

“Of course, Mr’s Blackwood.” 

She confirmed the available suites before handing me the keycard with her usual professional smile. “I’ve taken the liberty of requesting room service. Enjoy your stay.”

“Thank you, Catherine.” 

I took the keycard and disappeared up the elevator before the receptionist could somehow catch on to my little scheme.

The second I closed the suite door behind me, I let out a very long exhale, and my bag fell to the ground. I bent my head to look at it, and a tear fell from my eyes.

“Oh,” I sighed bitterly, and the tears began to flow freely.

I honestly don’t know how long I cried, but when I was done, I hopped into the shower and freshened up before making my way to the hotel bar.

I was in desperate need of a drink.

“Margarita. And don’t be stingy with the tequila.” I said, climbing onto the bar stool

The bartender gave me a concerned look, but I couldn’t be bothered.

“Here you go,” He slid the drink to me and went back to tending to his other customers.

I took a sip of my margarita, savoring the tang of lime and tequila, and before I knew it, I had finished the drink. 

“Another,” I said to the bartender, impatiently tapping my nails on the counter.

He gave me a look, but I brushed it off. He wasn’t paid to judge; he was paid to serve.

And serve he did.

By the time I finished my fourth glass, I knew I was heading into very drunk territory.

“Just one more,” I thought to myself, and tried beckoning to him with my hands, completely forgetting I could talk.

I barely noticed the bar filling up around me. The warmth of the tequila coursed through my veins, numbing the ache in my heart, just like I wanted.

I suddenly felt someone standing uncomfortably close beside me.

“What’s a beautiful woman like you doing here all alone? Let me buy you the next one.” said the man standing beside me. 

His suit screamed money, but his expression said one thing—entitlement.

He looked at me like he was a little kid in a candy store, and I was a Hershey bar. It certainly didn’t help that his smile was as slimy as the overpriced cologne that clung to him.

“I-I’m good... T-Thanks,” I slurred, waving him off.

But he didn’t budge.

“Aw, don’t be like that. I just wanna have a conversation.”

He tapped the bar counter to get the bartender’s attention, “A drink for the lady please.”

The bartender gave him a knowing smile, then slid another margarita my way. “Here you go,”

Not wanting to be rude, I thanked the man and took a sip, feeling myself relax slightly. 

But as I kept drinking and talking with the man whose name I came to realize was Jerome, the drink started to taste strange.

“I think... I sh-should... head back t'my hotel room... I’m star'in' t'get a bit... woozy…” I slurred.

“Come on, one more drink.” Jerome pressed.

“I-I said I’m good.” I said firmly this time, placing my empty glass back on the bar.

“Fiesty. I like that.” His hand rested on my arm, and I yanked it away in anger.

“D-Don’t… touch meee,” I snapped and stood up to leave, but the room spun the second I was on my feet, and my legs felt like jelly.

He stepped closer, “You’re not going anywhere, sweetheart.”

A trio of equally smug men in designer suits appeared behind him, all of them smirking like this was some kind of game.

Panic surged through me when they surrounded me, blocking my way.

“Leee’me ‘lone...” My voice cracked.

“You’re just drunk. We’re being helpful,” one of them sneered, grabbing my wrist.

Jerome suddenly stepped right in front of me and forced his lips on mine. 

I mustered up the last of my strength and pushed him away, but his eyes darkened, and he chuckled. “Tasty.”

He took another step, and I shook in fear.

“Get the fuck away from her!”

The men froze on hearing the voice, and they turned to where it came from.

I looked up as well, squinting through the blurry haze that was my vision.

A figure stepped forward, but I couldn’t quite make out their face cause of the dim lights of the bar.

“You heard her,” the voice said again, sharper this time. “She said no. Back off.”

The rich snobs hesitated, exchanging glances before one of them muttered, “She’s not worth it anyway.”

And just like that, they slinked away.

I swayed gently as relief overwhelmed me, but my legs gave out before I could utter a word.

Strong hands caught me just in time, “Easy,” the voice murmured in my ear, making the hair on the back of my neck stand.

I wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol in my system, but I felt a jolt of electricity surge through me.

I wanted to ask who they were, to thank them, but the tequila and exhaustion pulled me under, and I felt myself being lifted, cradled against his chest.

And then, the world began to darken. But just before the darkness swallowed me completely, I heard it—

He murmured near my ear, his voice deepening, low and yet somewhat familiar.

"You have no idea who I am... do you?"