1.

THALASSA

The last box was heavier than it looked. My arms ached as I shoved it into the trunk of my car, the late afternoon sun beating down like it was mocking me. My phone was wedged between my shoulder and my ear, and Isla’s voice crackled through the line.

“…so you could just move in with us,” she was saying in that tone that pretended to be generous but dripped with condescension. “It would be easier. I mean, the boys already love you, and the spare room isn’t doing anything. And honestly, Thalassa, ever since Mum and Dad died, you’ve been distant, and you’re my responsibility—whether you like it or not.”

Isla—my older sister, my late parents’ favorite, the one who could throw a tantrum and be rewarded for it—had always known how to make her offers sound like charity. I almost considered it—almost—until her next sentence came out like a dagger wrapped in sugar.

“And honestly, where else would you go? You don’t have many friends, the last friend you thought you had stole from you and ran away, and you’re all alone now, so…”

That did it. “Thanks, but I’ll be fine, Isla. I don’t need your help.”

“Thalassa—”

“Goodbye, Isla.” I hung up before she could try again, the final beep feeling sharper than I intended.

I shoved the trunk shut and took one last look at my now-empty apartment. It had been my home for three years. It looked…smaller now. Colder. I sighed, wondering when exactly everything had gone wrong—the gallery’s finances hadn’t been that bad, so why did it suddenly shut down overnight? And the landlord—he had promised me a grace period of a month, so why had he changed his mind about the rent without warning?

No grace period. No sympathy. I was starting to think the universe had it out for me.

Sliding into the driver’s seat, I started the engine, and that’s when my phone lit up with Caleb’s name. A smile tugged at my lips despite the ache in my chest.

“Hey, baby.” He greeted me.

“Hi Cay, how are you?”

“I’m fine princess, you? How’s work?”

I laughed humorlessly. “Today’s been a rollercoaster. The gallery shut down, and then I got a call from the landlord, that he’d be throwing my stuff out if I don’t get here to empty the house. And just like that, he kicked me out. I just packed up the last of my things.”

There was a pause. “If I hadn’t called, you wouldn’t have told me, would you?”

“I didn’t want to bother you. I was going to tell you, I just figured you were busy.”

“Bother me? What were you thinking about Thalassa? Why would you bother me about a problem of yours?”

“Cay–“ I said sweetly, in a tone I know always works on him.

“No, no, don't use that voice on me. I’m being serious here, Thalassa.”

“I know, and I’m sorry.”

There was a faint shuffle in the background on his end. “It just sucks that my beautiful soon-to-be wife didn’t tell me about her day until I called. And mind you, I’m pissed—but I need to come up with a solution.”

I grinned faintly. “Well, your darling soon-to-be wife is sorry,” I teased lightly, “and I promise to make it up to you later.”

His voice dipped knowingly, then a low chuckle. “You better. But until then—what’s your plan?”

“I was thinking I’d get a hotel for a few nights—”

“And for how long are you going to stay there, Thalassa? You have money for a hotel, but not for rent?”

The jab hit harder than I expected. My throat tightened, but I stayed quiet.

He sighed heavily. “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just… worked up. Do you forgive me?”

I sniffled and rubbed my eyes. “Yeah.”

“Good. No more arguing. I’m calling my uncle, and you’re going to move in with me for now. Maybe he can even get you a job at his company.”

The mention of his uncle pulled me out of my sulk. “Working for your uncle?” I swallowed hard, my eyes flickering nervously. Luckily, Cay wouldn’t notice how unnatural I was acting.

Caleb is an only child, and his parents died when he was really young, so he grew up with his uncle—a man who’d also been grieving his wife at the time. All they had was each other. Even now, as grown as Caleb is, he still lives in that house. And being under the same roof as his uncle? That’s not exactly what I need.

“Thalassa? Can you hear me?” Caleb’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Y-yes, I can hear you.” I gulped.

“My uncle’s out of the country for business and won’t be back until next week. Why don’t you go over there, settle in, make yourself comfortable. When I get off work, I’ll come straight to you, and we’ll talk about it more, okay?”

I hesitated. “…Okay. I’m sorry.”

“Hey. Sorry for what? I’ll do anything for you. You’re mine, okay? I’ll even order food for you. What do you want?”

He knew the fastest way to my heart. “Chicken, pizza… maybe ice cream.”

“Is that all?”

I laughed. “Yes.”

“Alright, baby. Call me when you’re there. You remember the gate code?”

“Yes, daddy.”

His voice dropped into a whisper. “I’ll show you what daddy can do later, cupcake.”

He blew a kiss through the phone, and I giggled before ending the call. By the time I pulled out of the driveway, my mood had lifted, I was already picturing greasy pizza, and spicy crispy chicken.

London traffic was unusually calm today, a rare blessing that let me sink into my thoughts without the usual honking and stop-and-go chaos. But the familiar route helped settle my nerves. Caleb’s uncle’s house wasn’t hard to find—I’d been there a few times before, always feeling like I didn’t quite belong among its sleek, glass-and-steel perfection.

Letting myself in felt strange. The quiet inside was almost too loud, like the house was watching me. I carried my bag upstairs, found the guest room Caleb always gave me, and without overthinking it, headed straight for a long, hot shower.

The steam clung to my skin as I stepped out, wrapping a towel snugly around myself. My phone buzzed from the nightstand.

Your order has been delivered.

Perfect.

I padded downstairs, still damp, and opened the front door. The delivery guy grinned, handed over the bags, and I slipped him a tip before heading to the kitchen.

Setting the food on the kitchen counter, I took a deep inhale. “God, I’m so grateful for the smell of food.”

Inside were two large pizzas, a bucket of fried chicken, hamburgers, and a tub of ice cream. I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. “This man spoils me too much.”

I dug in immediately—gooey cheese stretching from the slice, the crispy heat of the chicken making my eyes roll back.

What’s good food without music? I grabbed my phone, hit play on my Spotify playlist, and Shout Out to My Ex— by Little Mix boomed through the kitchen.

When the food hit the spot, I couldn’t help it—I started dancing, swaying my hips, a slice of pizza in one hand, a chicken drumstick in the other.

“Thalassa?” The voice called from behind me.

I froze mid-chew. Turning slowly, my gaze collided with the figure in the kitchen doorway. My heart stopped.

The towel slipped to the floor.

Shit.