Chapter 22

hapter 22 +25 BONUS Thalassa sat on the couch in her bedroom, flipping through pictures of an old, wrinkled woman, her face adorned with a beautiful laughter and warm, welcoming eyes. Some of the photos were of the two of them together, capturing moments of shared joy and laughter.

She was so absorbed in the memories that she didn’t notice Luisa’s presence until she placed a hand on her shoulder.

“You really miss her, don’t you?” Luisa asked softly.

Looking back at the picture on the screen, Thalassa felt her eyes sting with tears. They’d lost Granny six months ago to dementia, which had worsened significantly in her final year.

On her deathbed, the old woman had taken Thalassa’s hand in her frail ones and confessed that she had realized, somewhere along the years, that Thalassa wasn’t truly her daughter, Agnes. Yet, she was still so grateful for all the love and light Thalassa had brought into her life in her last few years on earth. Right after that, she had passed away, still holding Thalassa’s hand.

Thalassa had never thought she would care about someone again as much as she cared for Granny. Even though she missed the old woman deeply, her consolation was that she had passed away peacefully with a smile on her face. “Yes. I miss her, but I also know she’s in a better place,” Thalassa said, finally responding to Luisa’s question.

They flipped through more of the pictures together. After a while, Thalassa put the phone aside and asked, “Are you prepared for our flight?”

Immediately, Luisa’s expression changed to a mixture of nervousness and uncertainty. Thalassa pursed her lips, knowing what was going on inside her head. She spoke before Luisa could.

“Look, Luisa. I wanted to do this alone. You insisted on coming with me. But if you’ve changed your mind, that’s absolutely fine.

This is my fight, not yours.

“That’s the thing, Lassa,” Luisa said. “Is the fight necessary?”

Thalassa shot to her feet, staring at her best friend incredulously. “What are you saying, Luisa?”

Luisa also stood up. “Hear me out, please. It’s been three years, Lassa. You’ve managed to build one of the most successful companies and you’re well-to-do. Why don’t you let everything go and move on with your life?”

Thalassa felt disappointed. If there was anyone who knew everything about what the Miller family had put her through, it was Luisa. So how could she even suggest such a thing?

“Let it go?” She huffed. “Have you so soon forgotten what they did to me, Luisa? Let me remind you. They humiliated me in the eyes of all of Baltimore and the world. They made everyone hate me for something I never did. But should I remind you about the worst thing?”

She stepped closer, her breathing picking up. “They killed my baby. They sent someone to attack and kill my unborn child. So how the hell do you expect me to let them be so that they can enjoy their lives?”

Just a month after moving to New York, Thalassa had seen an article in the news about Karen revealing that she and Kris had gotten married in a secret ceremony and were expecting their first child together.

Chapter 22 A few months later, it was announced that Karen had given birth, which compounded Thalassa’s belief that Kris had indeed cheated on her with Karen while they were married. He’d gone ahead to have a child with her, while he never cared when Thalassa had texted him to tell him that she had lost her pregnancy.

How could Luisa expect her to let go of all of that?

“That’s not what I’m trying to say, Thalassa. It’s just... Luisa let out a breath. “I’m sorry, but getting revenge isn’t going to bring your child back.”

Thalassa smiled bitterly. “I know it won’t, but my child’s death can’t go unpunished. Someone has to pay. And no, this isn’t revenge. This is me getting justice for myself and my son who they murdered!”

By the time she was done, Thalassa was breathing heavily. Luisa’s expression suddenly turned apologetic as she engulfed Thalassa in a hug.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

“It’s okay.” Thalassa said with a sigh, knowing that her friend was being sincere. “I’ll be leaving tonight as planned. You don’t have to come if you don’t want to.”

“No, I want to come, Lassa. I’m your business partner, remember? We’re in this together.”

Standing behind the door, Zeke felt his chest squeeze painfully as he listened to everything.

He was the one who had sent Luisa to talk Thalassa out of her plans. He’d had no choice since he knew he couldn’t talk to her about it.

Even though they’d lived in the same house for three years, he still felt that Thalassa was as distant as ever.

He’d done everything to make her feel comfortable with him, but even though she’d become more friendly towards him, he knew that her heart was still cold.

She didn’t trust him enough to tell him anything about her. Everything he knew, he’d either eavesdropped or been told by his sister.

He’d thought that his silent love and affection would make her heal, but obviously, she was never going to heal until justice was served.

Two Days Later...

Excitement thrummed through the air as various luxurious cars pulled up and guests trooped into the venue hosting the TT Fashion masquerade gala.

The guests consisted of designers and models from all over the world, each wearing their own extravagant designs to get more attention. They readily posed for the cameras, allowing as many pictures as possible The last guests to arrive were the Miller family. Because of the personal invitation they had received, they were given special treatment at the door, immediately being allowed in.

While his mother basked in the special treatment they were being given, Kris grew more suspicious. Out of all the guests, why was his family being given special treatment?

+25 BONUS Chapter 22 Since the invitation had been addressed to the family, his whole family had insisted on coming, including his brother and sister, Susan and Tyler, his aunt and uncle, and also Karen.

Karen was clinging so tightly to Kris’s arm that he felt irritated and suffocated, but he couldn’t push her away because they needed to keep up appearances.

Everyone was wearing a designer mask since this was a masquerade gala, but their family was easily recognized.

“That’s Linda Miller. Does she think the owner of TT Fashion is going to help save her dying fashion house?” one of the guests said, loud enough to cause everyone else to chuckle.

Linda fumed at the mockery, but Kris calmed her down. “Don’t listen to them, Mum.”

Linda beckoned a waiter to come closer. “Where is the host? Have they not arrived yet?”

“No, she is yet to arrive,” the waiter replied.

So the owner was a woman. Kris felt even more curious to meet her.

“Who does she think she is?” his mother fumed. “The gala started an hour ago and she isn’t here yet?”

“Exactly. Very rude of her, Karen agreed. Kris scoffed.

At that moment, the lights in the room turned off, leaving the place in total darkness.

“What is this? What is happening?” some of the guests began to complain.

A voice spoke through the speakers. “Ladies and gentlemen, get ready to meet the one and only owner of TT Fashion!”

Suddenly, a spotlight fell on the stage, revealing a striking woman. She was wearing a royal blue gown with a plunging neckline and shimmering silver embroidery woven in intricate patterns all over it. It glistened as the lights shone on it. It was obviously her own exclusive design.

The jewelry on her neck was simple yet elegant, and her dark hair was swept to one side, leaving cr**y skin bare on the other side. The mask she wore was simple yet beautiful, covering almost all her face except her small nose, eyes, lips, and chin.

She was strikingly gorgeous. Every guest in the room was awestruck.

“Hello everyone,” she finally spoke, her voice as smooth as silk.

Her eyes travelled across the room until it fell on the Miller family. “We finally meet...again.”