“Zoe, don’t misunderstand me.” Thea said.


    Thea’s words almost made meugh. Thinking back to what she said while picking out bedding, I realized she had been indicating Alvin was her boyfriend.


    “Is this for Alvin?” I asked, eyeing the blue-gray bedding. It was definitely a color he used to like, but that was in the past. Now, thanks to my influence, his tastes had brightened up considerably.


    Thea bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. “No, don’t get the wrong idea. It’s for my brother.”


    I couldn’t be bothered to argue with her over such a trivial matter. Instead, I cut to the chase. “So, is Alvin moving in with you?”


    I thought, ‘Isn’t he the one who said Thea’s child can’t be put in harm’s way? Keeping watch 24/7 seems like the most sensible thing to do.’


    “Zoe, how can you say something like that?” Thea’s voice grew defensive, her expression shifting from surprise to irritation.


    “You’re buying him bedding, so why can’t I ask?” I shot back with a hint of sarcasm.


    “Zoe, you’re just too jealous. If you keep talking like this, Alvin will start to resent you,” Thea said, her face turning a shade of red.


    That made meugh.


    “What’s so funny?” she asked, her eyes innocent yet wary.


    I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and replied, “No matter how much Alvin likes me, he’s not immune to temptation.”


    “Zoe, don’t speak so harshly,” Thea snapped, clearly getting upset. Her face was flushed with anger now.


    “Isn’t it the truth? Miss Mills, yesterday you showed up at the office pretending to want to exin things to me, but really, you just wanted to see Alvin, didn’t you?” I said, my words sharp.


    I had slept soundly the night before, but when I woke up, I understood everything.


    Thea’s appearance at the office yesterday, the way she deliberately got hit by a car just so Alvin would panic and rush to her in front of everyone-that was all part of her scheme.


    Thea widened her eyes in disbelief. “How can you think that of me?”


    “Then exin why Alvin was at the café yesterday,” I challenged her.


    Thea went silent, her face flushing with embarrassment as I hit the nail on the head.


    “Thea, if you want to be with Alvin, do it on your own merit. Don’t try to climb over me,” I said, pausing before adding, “And by the way, I’ve already broken up with him.”


    “What?” Thea gasped in surprise.


    I gave her onest jab. “Thanks to you.”


    “By the way, I paid for the foie gras that night, so if we’re splitting the bill, you owe me a third. Or you can just pay for Alvin’s share,” I said, holding out my phone.


    Thea’s face went pale. “I don’t have any money on my phone.”


    I didn’t believe her, and I was a little taken aback.


    “Zoe, ever since Benjamin’s ident, no one’s been giving me money. If I had any, I wouldn’t be using Alvin’s card,” Thea said, sounding almost pitiful.


    Whether that was true or not, I wasn’t going to press her on it. If I insisted on making her pay, I’d juste across as


    heartless.


    “Alright, forget it,” I said, tucking my phone back into my bag.


    But then Thea stopped me. “How about this? I’ll add you on WhatsApp, and transfer the money to youter.”


    “No need.” I said firmly.


    “Please,” she insisted, pulling out her phone and opening the QR code scanner.


    Seeing how determined she was, I realized something, so I opened my phone and let her scan it.


    After she sent the friend request, I raised an eyebrow and said, “Thea, you’re adding me on WhatsApp so you can post something to annoy me, aren’t you?”


    Thea’s eyes flickered for a moment before they dulled again. “Zoe, don’t think the worst of me.”