~Tessa's POV~
Robert is…. I really don't know the words to use in describing him but he is too rigid. I felt like a detective towards the early hours of this morning as I tried to get the truth of whatever he was hiding from him.
He keeps emphasing on Honesty but I don't think he is. This one year would really be hard on me.
"Come on Tessa, remember you are just his Luna in papers. There is no bond between the two of you. There is no need to pry into his private life" The thought came within my head.
I exhaled deeply, jumping out of bed.
I dashed straight to the door, walking down the stairs but just before I could get to the last step, a pair of eyes were fixed on me.
"Breakfast is ready! You are late again."
I kept mute and followed him to the dinning table. I kept telling myself to breathe, with Robert's eyes occasionally meeting mine, it felt like every second stretched into an eternity. My phone was face down beside my plate, but I was only reminded of Thomas message— Twenty four hours.
Robert leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee. "Is something bothering you?" he asked casually, though his gaze lingered longer than usual.
"I'm just… tired," I answered, forcing my lips into something resembling a smile.
He studied me for a beat. "Tired, or avoiding something?"
I nearly choked on my orange juice. "What would I be avoiding?"
His eyes narrowed slightly. "You tell me."
Silence pressed between us. I fiddled with the fork, stabbing at my eggs as though they'd wronged me.
"Robert" I said, steadying my voice, "not everything is a riddle that needs solving."
His phone buzzed, pulling him away. Relief washed over me when he stood, grabbing his jacket. "We'll continue this conversation later," he said. "Don't vanish today, Tessa. I might need you at the office."
"I won't," I replied automatically, though I already knew I wouldn't be keeping that promise.
The moment the door shut behind him, I exhaled sharply. My hand darted for the phone. Thomas' last words flashed across the screen:
Twenty-four hours, Tesaa. Choose carefully. If you don't, everything burns.
I pressed the phone to my chest, my stomach twisting. What was I supposed to do?
A sudden buzz interrupted my thoughts again. This time, it was a name I hadn't seen in months, Sophie. My best friend.
> Back in New York. We need to talk. Where can I meet you?
I typed quickly, hands trembling.
< Café on 5th. Noon.
****
By the time I slid into the booth at the café, Sophie was already there, waving frantically. She looked the same, sharp bob haircut, mischievous smile, but there was an intensity in her eyes I hadn't seen before.
"Tessa Sinclair," she exclaimed, pulling me into a hug. "God, I've missed you. How long has it been? Eight months?"
"Closer to ten," I said, forcing brightness into my voice. "You were supposed to be gone for two weeks, and then suddenly you're halfway across Europe."
She smirked. "What can I say? Life dragged me. But forget me—look at you. Married. To Robert Miller, of all people."
I winced. "Don't remind me."
Sophie raised a brow. "What's that tone? Shouldn't you be floating on clouds, dripping diamonds, sipping champagne?"
I laughed weakly. "Clouds are stormy, diamonds feel heavy, and champagne tastes bitter when you're choking on it."
Her smile faded, replaced with concern. "Talk to me, Tessa. What's going on?"
I bit my lip, my throat tight. "It's complicated."
"Complicated is what I live for," she said firmly. "Don't shut me out."
I stared at the coffee in front of me. "What would you do if someone from your past suddenly threatened to destroy your present?"
Sophie tilted her head. "Depends. Is this someone important?"
"Too important," I whispered.
Her eyes sharpened. "You're not talking about Alpha Thomas, are you?"
I blinked, startled. "How…"
"I know you, Tessa. Your eyes do this thing when you're hiding something. So, spill. Which one came crawling back?"
I hesitated. "Thomas."
Her jaw dropped. "Thomas? As in the man who practically broke you into pieces?"
"The very same."
She slammed her hand against the table, earning a glare from the waiter. "Unbelievable. What does he want now?"
I looked around, lowering my voice. "He's threatening me. Says if I don't… give in, he'll ruin everything. Even drag me before the council of elders."
Sophie leaned in. "Ruin you how?"
"By twisting everything. By dragging me back into his mess. He's already sent me messages, warnings, and ultimatums." My voice cracked. "I can't let Robert know."
"Why not?" she demanded. "He's your husband. He should protect you."
I shook my head violently. "You don't understand. This really isn't Robert business and whereas he is already suspicious. If he finds out Thomas is circling around me again, he'll think, he'll think I invited it. Whereas it is stated…"
"What was stated? did you?" Sophie asked bluntly.
My eyes snapped up. "Of course not." I replied quickly, trying not to make her realize.
She leaned back, crossing her arms. "Then what's the problem? Tell him. Don't give Thomas this power."
"It's not that simple," I whispered.
Sophie studied me for a long moment. "Tessa, listen to me. Men like Thomas survive on fear. He'll keep pushing until you push back. If you hide this from Robert, you're letting Thomas win twice, once with the threat, and what he did on the Altar."
Tears prickled my eyes. "I don't know how to fight him."
"Then let me help you," Sophie said firmly.
I shook my head. "You can't. He's dangerous."
"So am I when someone threatens my best friend," she shot back.
For the first time in days, I laughed, though it came out strangled. "You haven't changed at all."
She softened. "And you have, Tessa. You've gotten quieter. Smaller. That's not you. The Tessa I knew would have told Thomas exactly where to shove his threats. Tessa SINCLAIR doesn't now to anyone."
My fingers clenched around the cup. "The Tessa you knew wasn't married to a man who measures every silence, every look. Robert can't see me falter. If he does, everything falls apart."
Sophie reached across the table, grabbing my hand. "Then let me be your anchor. Tell me everything Thomas said."
I hesitated, then unlocked my phone and slid it across to her. Her eyes scanned the messages, and her face hardened with every word.
"This is harassment," she muttered. "He's trying to manipulate you. Typical Alpha Thomas, always twisting reality until you doubt yourself."
"Exactly," I whispered.
She pushed the phone back. "So here's what we'll do. You save everything. Every text, every call. Don't delete a thing. If this blows up, you'll need proof."
"But if Robert finds it…"
"Then at least you'll have the truth in your hands," Sophie interrupted. "Tessa, you can't keep balancing on this knife's edge. It'll cut you sooner or later."
I leaned back, staring at the ceiling, my chest aching. "I just wanted a fresh start. I thought marrying Robert would bury the past."
Sophie squeezed my hand. "The past doesn't stay buried. But you can decide whether it chains you, or whether you break it."
Her words echoed inside me, louder than Thomas' threats. For the first time, I let myself believe maybe I wasn't as powerless as I felt.
As we stood to leave, Sophie looped her arm through mine. "You're not alone in this, Tessa. Got it?"
I nodded, though my heart still trembled. "Got it."
But as my phone buzzed again in my pocket, I knew Thomas wouldn't let go that easily.