Chapter 3 The Mistake

Thira stood on the sidewalk in front of her house, clutching her torn hoodie around her body. The morning air felt sharp against her damp cheeks. Her feet dragged as she walked up the driveway, exhaustion and fear weighing her down.

She just wanted to see her father. To explain everything. To tell him it wasn't her fault. That she was tricked.

But when she reached the front porch, her father stood there waiting, arms crossed over his chest. His eyes were cold, like dark stones.

"Papa..." she started, her voice shaking. "Please, just let me explain-"

He raised his hand sharply, cutting her off. "Your sister already told me everything."

Thira froze, mouth open in shock.

"You've ruined this family's name," he said, his words slow and harsh. "Your mother would be ashamed to see what you've become."

Her chest hurt so badly it felt like something was breaking inside her. "Please... it's not true. Vela set me up. I swear. I would never-"

"I don't want to hear your lies," he snapped. "Leave. Now."

Tears burned her eyes as she looked at him, hoping for a flicker of softness. But he turned away, walking back into the house and closing the door behind him without another word.

The click of the lock echoed in her ears.

With nowhere else to go, Thira walked quickly to Darian's apartment. The city felt too big and too cold around her. She hugged herself tightly as she climbed the stairs, her fingers numb against the metal rail.

Maybe he'll listen. Maybe he'll believe me.

His door was unlocked. She pushed it open quietly, stepping inside. The smell of strong cologne and sweet perfume filled her nose. Her heart beat faster with nervous hope.

"Darian...?" she called softly.

No answer. She walked further in and stopped.

Red lace lingerie lay on the living room floor. Her stomach twisted painfully. Her hands shook as she picked it up, then dropped it quickly like it burned her fingers.

Slowly, she pushed open his bedroom door.

The sight hit her like a punch to the chest. Darian was lying in bed, half-covered by the sheets. Vela lay beside him, her blonde hair spread across the pillows, her naked body pressed against his side.

Vela looked up lazily, eyes meeting Thira's. She let out a small laugh. "Why are you so dramatic? He clearly wanted someone real."

Thira's lips parted but no sound came out. Her vision blurred with tears as she stumbled back from the door, then turned and ran out of the apartment, her heart shattering with every step.

When she got back to her house, the front yard greeted her with boxes and bags scattered near the gate. Her clothes lay in a torn pile, some already damp from the morning dew.

A housemaid she barely knew stood beside them, looking uncomfortable. She held out a small backpack to Thira.

"Your father burned your things," the maid said quietly. "I saved what I could before he told me to throw the rest out."

Thira took the backpack slowly, her hands trembling so badly she almost dropped it. She wanted to scream, to collapse on the ground and cry until her chest gave out. But no tears came. Only a deep emptiness.

She looked up at the sky, grey and heavy above her, and started walking. Her feet carried her down familiar streets, past grocery stores and bus stops, until she stood in front of the only place she could think of.

Carden's apartment.

She raised her hand and knocked weakly. The door opened within seconds. Carden stood there, eyes wide when he saw her shaking, with her clothes stuffed into a small bag.

"Thira..." he whispered.

She tried to speak, but only a broken sob came out. He stepped forward quickly and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest. She clung to him, crying softly, feeling his warmth seep into her frozen skin.

"It's okay," he murmured into her hair. "I've got you. I've always got you."

~~~

Vela sat cross-legged on her pink velvet bed, filing her nails while humming to herself. Her phone buzzed beside her. She glanced at the unknown number and rolled her eyes, answering with a bored voice.

"Hello?"

"Good morning. May I speak with Miss Vela Calderon ?" a formal male voice asked.

"Speaking," she said, smirking. "Unless you're a debt collector, then I'm the President's daughter."

"This is Julius from Dax Holdings," the voice continued smoothly. "I'm calling to let you know Mr. Riven Dax would love to meet with you today,"

Vela froze, her nail file dropping onto the bed. "I... excuse me? Meeting? With Mr Riven? Are you some cheap scam?"

"It's regarding the room you booked last night," Julius said calmly. "We have you registered as the guest who reserved it."

Her mind spun. Room? Last night? Then it clicked - the setup. The man Thira slept with... it was Riven Dax?!

Her chest filled with hot excitement and cold fear at the same time. She sat up straighter, heart pounding wildly.

"Ah... yes. Of course," she said quickly, switching to her sweetest voice. "I'll be there."

When the call ended, she grinned at her reflection in the mirror. "Oh, Thira. You had no idea what you gave me.

One hour later, Vela sat across from Riven Dax in a private dining room of an expensive French restaurant. She wore a pale pink dress that hugged her curves, her hair curled perfectly over her shoulders. She watched him as he read through some files on his phone, his face serious and cold.

He looked up at her finally. His dark eyes were unreadable.

"I apologise for the confusion last night," he said in a low voice. "The truth is... I don't remember much."

Vela blinked slowly, tilting her head. "Neither do I," she said softly, pretending to look embarrassed. "I... I might have had too much to drink."

He studied her for a long moment. Something flickered in his eyes. He's suspicious, she realised. He remembers dark hair. But she's blonde.

Still, he nodded and slipped a black card holder onto the table. "If you need anything. Clothes, counselling, compensation..."

She pushed it back gently. "No. I don't want money. I... I think we could be friends instead."

He paused, his gaze narrowing slightly. Then he nodded slowly. "Fine."

When she got home, Vela closed her bedroom door and pressed her back against it, grinning at the ceiling. Friends with Riven Dax. She laughed softly to herself.

"Let's turn that into a wife," she whispered.

Her phone buzzed again. An email notification.

Subject: Appointment Confirmation - Dax Holdings

She clicked it open and her heart jumped. She had been appointed to a position at Dax Holdings. She never even applied.

She smiled wide, her teeth flashing under the crystal chandelier. Darian's name popped up on her screen, calling her again.

She declined it without a second thought.

"It's time to scale up the ladder," she said to herself, tossing her phone onto the bed and walking towards her vanity mirror. Her reflection smirked back at her, eyes glinting with victory.