Chapter 7

Three days later, Thalia sat quietly in George's apartment, curled up on the small couch, a thin blanket draped around her. Her phone buzzed again—notifications.

Yulia's fans are already attacking her on Instagram and Twitter—calling her different bad names.

Slut. Ugly woman. Useless. Homewrecker...and so on.

The words crawled across her skin. She swallowed back the lump rising in her throat and dropped the phone on the couch. Her heart thudded unevenly, a mix of anger, pain, and with disbelief.

Is this really her life?

No matter how much she hated herself for it, the truth still whispers in her heart; She still loved Franklin. She was still carrying his child and the scars he left in her heart wasn't healing—It was burning.

George emerged from the kitchen with a mug of warm tea. He set it gently in front of her, then sat beside her, watching her in silence.

Thalia didn't look at him. "I don't know why I can't..."

"You still love him," George cut in sharply. "It's okay to admit that."

He had been in her shoes before, in the past. So he understood her.

She finally turned, her eyes soft. "Do you think that makes me weak?"

"No," he replied softly. "It makes you human."

She took a shaky breath and reached for the tea. "I don't want to go back to him."

"I know," George said.

"But that doesn't mean I've healed, it feels like yesterday." she added quietly.

George nodded. "You don't have to heal all at once. You just have to keep breathing. Let it out however you can, that's how you can start."

Thalia offered a weak smile.

Then the doorbell rang.

They both looked up.

George rose cautiously. "Stay here," he said, heading for the door.

He opened it to find a man in a black suit and sunglasses holding a sealed envelope.

"Delivery for Miss Thalia Frost."

George narrowed his eyes. "From who?"

The man didn't answer. He simply handed it over and walked away.

George shut the door, turned, and handed the envelope to her.

Thalia opened it slowly.

Inside was a single sheet of ivory paper.

She unfolded the letter, hands trembling slightly.

"Congratulations, Miss Thalia Frost — You've been selected as one of the elite finalists for the Paris International Runway Experience, hosted by Maison de Lumière. Your portfolio has captured the attention of global designers. This is your official invitation to represent your country on the world stage."

Thalia froze.

She blinked at the words, then re-read the lines again. This...this was her dream. Her biggest dream. Ever since she was seventeen. To walk the runway in Paris. To be more than just a local model. To be seen.

She should've screamed with joy. But instead...She let the paper fall from her hands.

"You're not happy?"George asked after reading it.

"It's not too late, Thalia."He whispered behind her.

"I'm pregnant..."She said.

"Leave that to me, you can't give up your dream because of anything."He held her hand and she nodded.

"When are you sending the divorce papers to Franklin?" He asked.

"Today."She replied flatly, her heart skipped at the mention of his name.

"Sign them and I'll send it." He offered.

She shook her head and headed straight to the room where her suitcase was, then she unzipped it.

George followed her.

"I'll do it myself, a final goodbye should be done in person."She stared at the papers and swallowed her emotions.

"Be careful, my driver will drop you off."He told her before she turned to leave.

George called his driver as he strode out of the room.

"Make sure to protect her, if she comes back with a scratch, it won't end well for you."He warned the driver darkly.

Thalia got down from the car, she wore her normal innocent face, her hair tied in a rough bun.

She walked inside the mansion, it was too quiet—no bodyguard's nobody, nothing.

What's going on? She was confused but nevertheless she entered.

"I'm changing everything in this mansion...!"Yulia was still barking at a maid when she caught a glimpse of Thalia.

And their mother,Tina rose from the couch in an arrogant pose.

"Well, look who we have here."She drawled.

Thalia was shocked to see her, the same mother she called that told her—she was sick and lying in the hospital.

She was here, and obviously supporting Yulia again.

"Mother, you told me you're sick!"Thalia shouted at her mother.

"Yes, I was sick of you."Tina replied coldly.

"You are siding with her again, huh?" she murmured, glancing at Yulia.

Thalia's heart shattered again, she thought her mother sympathized with her.No, she was a fake again.

Nothing really surprised Thalia because Tina has always taken her side since day one.

"What are you doing here?"Franklin's voice came from behind, deep and sharp.

Yulia ran into his arms and he kissed her shortly.

But Thalia didn't turn, she waited for Franklin to come face her. And he did.

"It would've been disrespectful to send this over, so I came myself."She said.

"You shouldn't have bothered." He replied.

She handed the divorce papers to him and he snatched it from her without any drama.

She signed it...good.

"Finally." Yulia breathed.

"Finally?"Thalia's lips curved."If he can leave me for you, trust me he'll leave you for someone else as well. So, enjoy it while it lasts."

"Of course."Yulia smiled, teasingly.

Franklin was silent, his silence burned her more than his words.

And Tina watched the drama in silence.

"Out of my house."He ordered.

She turned before her tears could fall.

In the car, she wiped her face, slipped her wedding ring from her finger and let it fall out of the window.

George was right, it's not too late to start all over.

And she would.