Chapter 14
Drake seemed to suddenly remember his girlfriend was still there. Like waking from a trance, he dropped his hand from Sienna’s waist and stepped back.[]
His friends, following his gaze to Thalia, scrambled to smooth things over.[]
“Let’s keep playing. Sienna, skip the drinks if your stomach’s bad–just do truth or dare instead.“[]
“Yeah, truth or dare’s perfect!“]]
Drake composed himself and returned to the sofa.[]
He expected Thalia to be jealous, to show some sign of hurt.]]
But she said nothing.
Her indifference unsettled him more than any reaction could have. Something about her felt different tonight.]
The silence stretched between them.]
Drake was considering an explanation when another round of cheers erupted from the group.
“Sienna lost again! Truth or dare?“]
His attention snapped back to Sienna.]
“Dare,” she said, throwing Drake a loaded glance over her shoulder.[]
“Alright, pick from the dare cards.” Someone produced a stack of cards.[]
Sienna drew one casually. The reader’s eyes went wide, darting between Sienna, Drake, and Thalia.[]
A girl peeked at the card and gasped.[
“What is it?”
“What’d she get?“]
“Kiss any guy in the room of your choice,” the reader announced, shooting Drake a nervous glance.]
The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees as Drake’s expression turned glacial.[]
Sienna, apparently oblivious to the tension, stood up with a playful smile and approached a handsome man nearby.[]
“Chase, mind if I kiss you?“[]
Chase glanced at Drake’s murderous expression, frozen in place.
When he didn’t respond, Sienna leaned in, arms sliding around his neck.[]
“Enough!”
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Drake’s shout cut through the room. He stormed over, grabbed Sienna’s hand, and pulled her out the door.[]
The remaining guests exchanged looks before turning sympathetic eyes to Thalia.
She took a sip of her drink, smiling easily. “Why are you all looking at me?”
They quickly looked away, pretending to be absorbed in their drinks and conversations.]
Thalia nursed her drink, feeling her heart grow colder.[]
In her experience, Drake rarely showed strong emotions about anything.
This was the first time she’d seen him lose control like this.]
When her glass was empty, she headed to the restroom.[]
Through the door, she heard women talking by the sinks.[]
J
“Drake’s lost it–leaving his girlfriend here to run off with Sienna.“[]
“Shows who he really cares about, doesn’t it?”
“Did you see his face when Sienna was about to kiss Chase? Terrifying.“[]
“Poor girlfriend, watching her man lose it over another woman.“[]
“She’s just a replacement anyway.“[]
“They’ll break up soon, obviously. Everyone can see Drake’s in love with Sienna.“]
“Yeah, I-“The voice cut off abruptly as Thalia emerged from the stall. The women hurried out, avoiding eye contact.]
Thalia calmly washed her hands.[]
They were right about one thing–she and Drake were headed for a breakup.[]
But it wouldn’t be him ending things. She was done.[]
Back at the penthouse, exhausted, Thalia fell asleep quickly after her shower.[]
Drake returned the next afternoon.[]
He pushed open the bedroom door and frowned at the open suitcase on the floor.]
“What’s this?”
Thalia looked up from behind the closet door. “Oh, you’re back. I’m heading home for a while.“[]
She had accumulated a lot over two years. Some clothes and shoes could be donated, but she needed to sort everything. When she left, she wouldn’t leave a trace of herself behind.[]
Her eyes caught on the fresh mark on his neck. She looked away, unfazed.
She was done caring about what–or who–he did.[]
My Ex Fired Me for Her? I Bought His Empire and Fired Thein
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“Why the sudden trip home? Still angry about last night? Running away?“]
“No, just missing my family. Want to visit.“[]
Drake’s expression relaxed. “That’s good.“]]
In three years, Thalia had never gone home.[]
She’d spent every holiday alone.[]
He couldn’t leave his family to spend holidays with her, and he certainly couldn’t bring her home for holidays.]
His mother, Caroline Ashcroft, would never accept someone without the right background.[]
“I’m swamped with work, so I can’t come with you. When’s your flight? I’ll have James drive you to the airport.“[]
Thalia folded her favorite pieces carefully into the suitcase.]
“No need. I’ve got a ride.“[]
Drake tried to hide his relief.[]
He’d dreaded her asking him to meet her parents.[]
After three years, normal couples would be discussing marriage.
But he wasn’t normal. He was Drake Ashcroft, sole heir to Ashcroft Capital.[]
Their social divide was an unbridgeable gap.[]
Drake knew they had no future.[]
Meeting parents would be pointless.]
He was grateful Thalia understood this, never pushing for more.
His friend’s words echoed: “Keep both. If you feel guilty, just buy her nice things. Women are easy to please.“[]
Maybe he could marry Sienna, keep Thalia as his mistress.
A woman like Thalia would never find another man of his status.[]
She loved him too much to leave.[]
He’d talk to her after she returned.[]
“Text me when you land,” Drake said. “Let me know when you’re back in New York–I’ll pick you up.“]
Thalia murmured a soft “okay.“[]
I won’t be back, she thought.]
Drake’s phone rang.
After a brief call, he turned to her: “I need to go. About last night–I shouldn’t have left you there. I got you something. My assistant
My Ex Fired Me for Her? I Bought His Empire and Fired Them
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Chapter 14
will drop it off.”
Thalia gave a noncommittal response.
As soon as Drake left, Thalia’s phone lit up with a message from Asher.
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