Chapter 116

Laurina tossed her hair flirtatiously and slipped her arm through Asher’s, staking her claim. “You must be Miss Winters? Hello, I’m Laurina Kensington, Asher’s girlfriend.”

Thalia lowered her eyes, her gaze fixed on Laurina’s hand resting in the crook of Asher’s arm. Her heart felt as though something had pierced it.

Asher stood motionless, his eyes briefly flicking to the woman’s hand on his arm. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, wanting to explain but unable to speak.

Victoria couldn’t bear to watch. She lunged forward and yanked Laurina’s hand away. “Get your bloody hands off him!” she exclaimed. “If you want to flaunt your relationship, do it elsewhere! This isn’t the place for your little display!” Victoria’s face flushed with anger, her eyes blazing. “What’s the matter? Can’t the mighty Blackwood heir afford a hotel room?”

Sebastian looked alarmed and quickly stepped in as peacemaker, pulling Victoria back. “For God’s sake, calm down. We’re all friends here—let’s not make a scene.”

Victoria struggled against his hold. “Let go of me! Don’t hold me back!”

Sebastian maintained his grip, desperately trying to communicate with Victoria through meaningful glances.

Laurina, unoffended, smiled good-naturedly. Her voice softened as she addressed Asher. “Darling, it seems your friends aren’t particularly welcoming. Perhaps we should book our own room and enjoy a private celebration instead?”

Laurina, true to her award-winning actress reputation, possessed the demeanor of a calculating, sweet-faced manipulator, perfected to the last detail.

Thalia’s heart ached hearing these words. Her doe-like eyes immediately misted over, her nose stinging with the effort of holding back tears. She refused to cry in front of Asher and Laurina.

She fixed her gaze stubbornly on Asher, her voice quavering despite her attempt to appear calm. “Asher, there’s something more to this, isn’t there? Please tell me. I’ll understand. Don’t do this—it’s tearing me apart… Can’t we just talk properly?”

Her eyes grew wetter, her voice betraying the imminent tears. “Didn’t you promise that as long as I never mentioned breaking up, you would never leave me?”

Asher’s dark eyes were as deep and unreachable as a lightless ocean. His lips curled into a mocking smile. “Miss Winters, we’re all adults here. Did you really believe that sort of childish promise?”

All color drained from Thalia’s face. Her eyes filled with pain as her lips moved, trying to form words, but no sound came out.

Asher, wounded by her expression, unable to bear the sight any longer, looked away. His voice was cold as ice. “Miss Winters, I’ve made myself perfectly clear. Let’s not engage in pointless emotional entanglements. Let’s all maintain some dignity.”

Thalia deflated like a punctured balloon, her shoulders slumping. She swayed slightly, unsteady on her feet, and moved two steps to the side to clear the doorway.

Charlotte, concerned for Thalia, quickly moved to embrace her. “It’s all right, Thalia. You still have us. Everything will be fine…”

“Asher, don’t be such a complete bastard!” Victoria, furious, tried to lunge at him, but Sebastian held her firmly in place.

“Victoria, don’t! Calm down!” Sebastian pleaded desperately.

While comforting Thalia, Charlotte caught her brother Mason’s eye and gave him a meaningful look. Mason went over and whispered something to Asher. Asher left with Laurina.

“I’m absolutely livid! I can’t believe how utterly horrid they were!” Victoria continued to rage. Sebastian held onto her, looking thoroughly stressed.

Suddenly, Victoria whipped around to glare at Sebastian. Sebastian immediately sensed impending disaster. Sure enough, Victoria took out her frustration on him, delivering a punch to his arm. “You can bugger off too!”

“Oh come on, this isn’t my fault!” Sebastian protested, feeling unjustly accused.

Victoria blazed with anger. “If you hadn’t been thick enough to invite Asher, would any of this have happened? Today was supposed to be about cheering Thalia up, but instead she’s been hurt all over again. Get out, get out, get out! You get out too!”

Victoria began shoving him toward the door.

Charlotte turned to her brother Mason. “Mason, why don’t you go with Sebastian? Victoria and I will stay with Thalia. We girls need some time together.”

Mason said nothing, merely nodding before leading Sebastian out.

As soon as Asher and Laurina closed the door behind them, he immediately removed her hand from his arm. Laurina shrugged, unbothered. They walked to the lift.

Laurina asked casually, “What’s your plan now? Thalia looked utterly devastated. How do you intend to fix this when the time comes?”

Asher’s lips formed a tight line, his long fingers clenched into fists at his sides. He didn’t answer. His mind was filled with the image of Thalia’s bloodless face and wounded eyes. Saying those hurtful, insincere words had caused him as much pain as they had caused her.

After the men left, the room fell quiet. Victoria took two bottles of fine red wine from the bar. “Thalia, don’t waste your tears on that cheating wanker. He’s not worth it. Tonight, we’re getting properly plastered. You’re gorgeous and loaded—you could have any bloke you want.”

Victoria continued as she uncorked the wine. “The world is absolutely heaving with men! Next time, we’ll line up some proper male models for you—how about ten of them?”

Thalia sat on the sofa, her eyes reflecting her pain, unable to muster any enthusiasm. After several glasses of wine, Thalia began to feel lightheaded. This was her first time drinking alcohol.

Victoria held her wine glass in one hand and her phone in the other, opening Instagram. “Thalia, listen, I know loads of fit blokes. Look at this one—he’s 6’2”, has an eight-pack, and he’s still at university.” Victoria leaned closer to show Thalia the photo. “Not bad, eh?”

She had been about to say that although this young man wasn’t as handsome as Asher, he was considered quite the catch at his university. More importantly, he was a young university student, vibrant and energetic—something the older Asher couldn’t compete with. But she caught herself before the words left her mouth. Best not to mention Asher.

Thalia’s gaze swept over the photo on the phone. In her tipsy state, she smiled. “He does look quite nice.”

“Right? I’ve got plenty more. Let me find some.” Victoria scrolled through her screen. “Look at this one—he’s 6’3”, a sports science student with a fantastic physique. His skin’s a bit dark, but that sun-kissed look is more wild and sexy. Shall I introduce you?”

Thalia, unable to hold her alcohol, was already quite drunk. She giggled and said, “Why not?”

The three women drank and chatted, and time passed quickly. The New Year’s countdown began. “Ten, nine, eight, seven…” The three friends raised their glasses and counted down together, shouting in unison: “Three, two, one, Happy New Year!” Brilliant fireworks exploded across the night sky. Below, crowds filled the streets in celebration.

Thalia sat cross-legged and barefoot on the cashmere rug by the floor-to-ceiling windows, watching the spectacular fireworks with dreamy eyes. A new year had begun.

Asher, I should say goodbye to you too. For the new year, I wish you happiness every day. Goodbye, Asher.