Dr. Hawards rubbed her forehead in resignation. “This will only make her despise you more tee is mated to someone who behaves so extremely.”


    “Yeah.” Drake lowered his sleeve, his expression vacant. “She already told me that she said. Don’t try anything like that again.’ Doctor, doesn’t that prove she still cares about me?”


    Dr. Hawards didn’t follow his line of thinking, deftly changing the subject and redirecting Dear’s thongies.


    She gently guided him through the session, providing therapeutic support


    The treatment that daysted nearly four hours.


    At the conclusion, Dr. Hawards offered sincere advice.


    She rmended that Drake gradually distance himself from this rtionship and from the person who dominated his thoughts.


    Dr. Hawards told Drake he needed to shift his life’s focus and stop directing his attention toward that person


    Drake appeared to listen, even nodding vaguely as he left.


    In reality, he hadn’t absorbed a single word.


    Stay away from Thalia? That was impossible!


    Nightfall brought insomnia for Drake.


    He was still living in the apartment next to Thalia’s Tribeca t, but she had moved out.


    The night was silent and still.


    Drakey in bed.


    The room was unlit,pletely dark.


    Drake closed his eyes, and Thalia’s face appeared in his mind, over and over.


    Suddenly, a hateful figure forced its way into his thoughts.


    Asher gave him a taunting smile, then took Thalia’s face in his hands and kissed her passionately.


    “No! Stop!” Drake suddenly shouted. “Don’t touch her! Get away! Get out!”


    Drake yelled like a madman in the darkness of his room.


    Again and again, he tormented himself by imagining scenes of Asher and Thalia together, sweet moments and even passionate encounters.


    “No… Thalia… please don’t…” Drake curled up on his bed, muffled sobs echoing in the dark room. “No… no…<i>” </i>


    This six–foot–tall man had contracted into a ball, crying uncontrobly.


    Thalia had just woken from her afternoon nap and was feeling rather peckish when the doorbell rang


    She ran a quick hand through her hair, casually threw on a cream–colored fur coat, and went to answer the door in her fluffy slippers.


    “Good afternoon, Miss Winters. I’m the housekeeper Mr. ckwood arranged to cook for you.”


    Standing outside was a woman approaching fifty, dressed in a ck padded jacket, with a kind face.


    Thalia paused. “Just a moment, please. I should check on this.”


    Being cautious with strangers, she couldn’t simply let anyone in.


    “Of course! Please do confirm with Mr. ckwood. I’ll wait right here,” the woman replied cheerfully.


    Thalia dialed Asher’s number.


    “Did you arrange for a housekeeper to cook for me?”


    “Yes, she’s Mrs. Wilson’s daughter–inw. Mrs. Wilson is getting too old toe herself, but fortunately her daughter–inw has learned all her cooking techniques. I specifically asked her to cook for you, thinking you’d enjoy familiar vours.”


    Thalia was momentarily stunned.


    She remembered Mrs. Wilson.


    Her mother, Rosalind, had learned her cooking skills from Mrs. Wilson, and Asher had once taken her to visit Mrs. Wilson’s home.


    At that time<b>, </b>Thalia had only met Mrs. Wilson and her son, not this daughter–inw who hadn’t been present.


    She was touched that Asher had been so thoughtful, specifically asking Mrs. Wilson’s daughter–inw to cook for her.


    Women often notice these small gestures.


    Thalia’s heart softened instantly, bing as sweet and tender as candy floss.


    “Right, I understand now.”


    Thalia ended the call and politely invited Mrs. Wilson’s daughter–inw inside. “Pleasee in.”


    During their casual conversation, Thalia learned that the woman’s name was Mary, she was forty–seven years old, and had a daughter two years younger than Thalia who worked as a primary school teacher.


    “Miss Winters, Mr. ckwood told me which dishes you enjoy, so I’ve purchased ingredients for those. What would you like for dinner this evening?” Mary entered carrying tworge bags from Whole Foods Market.


    Thalia smiled. “If Asher rmended them, I’m sure I’ll enjoy everything. I’m not particr–please prepare whatever you think best.”


    “Lovely! Mr. ckwood specifically instructed me to shop at Whole Foods. It was my first time in such a ce! My goodness, everything was quite dear, but all organic and naturally sourced. Should be top quality, very safe to eat.”


    Mary was warm and straightforward, somewhat familiar in her manner, which Thalia rather appreciated.


    “You’ve grown so much, Miss Winters. I wonder if you remember me–I used to hold you when you were little.”


    Thalia was momentarily taken aback.


    With Mary’sment, she began to recall.


    Thalia smiled. “Please, there’s no need to be so formal. Just call me Thalia.”


    Mary asked, “Very well then, Thalia it is. Now, where might I find the kitchen?”


    Thalia pointed. “Just over there.”


    “I’ll get started on dinner, then. Mr. ckwood mentioned he’d be joining us this evening. Would a roast chicken with seasonal vegetables and a butternut squash soup be suitable?”


    Thalia nodded. “Perfect.”


    Having finished his work, Asher instructed his driver to take him to Pan Penins.


    This was where he had purchased the apartment for Thalia.


    To avoid any future awkwardness about not having a change of clothes, Asher had arranged for severalrge suitcases filled with new toiletries, bathrobes, loungewear, and everyday clothing.


    OC COL


    At the door, Asher rang the bell.


    Thalia opened it and was genuinely surprised. “Why on earth have you brought so many things?”


    Asher raised an eyebrow, a smile ying at his lips. “I’d hate to be caught without a change of clothes again if I stay


    over.”


    Thalia thought to herself: This seems rather excessive–it’s practically like moving in together.


    On second thought, if Asher were to suggest living together, she realized she wouldn’t actually object.


    Noticing he had rung the doorbell, Thalia asked curiously: “Haven’t you got a key? Why ring the bell when you


    arrive?”


    “This is the apartment I bought for you. You’re the sole owner now, so naturally, I would need your permission to


    have a key.”


    Thalia looked at him with amusement. “In that case, I’ll give you a spare keyter.”


    Asher followed Thalia inside, with his security detail carrying the suitcases behind them.


    “Don’t put it off–let’s do it today. I fear you might forget.”


    Thaliaughed. “I’m hardly that forgetful.”


    Sienna had been upset with Draketely.


    Drake had attempted suicide because of Thalia, and upon waking, his first words were to ask where Thalia was. Sienna was heartbroken.


    In a noisy bar with shing lights and a dance floor packed with revelers, Sienna sat with her friend Celine in a private booth, drinking.


    Celine swirled her ss. “I never would have guessed that Thalia was the Winters heiress. It wasn’t obvious at all.”


    “Ha,” Siennaughed bitterly. “Celine, do you think I’m just aplete joke?”


    Celine awkwardly pulled at the corner of her mouth.


    Truthfully, it did seem like a joke.


    (3)