Chapter 2 - The Eavesdropper
Thea stared at the hidden camera, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs.
"We have to play the part of a deeply devoted couple from now on," Lachlan whispered softly in her ear.
"If they suspect that I can see, or that you are helping me, neither of us will live to see the end of the month."
She nodded slowly, terrifyingly aware that her life was no longer her own.
For the next two days, Thea acted as his perfect guide, holding his arm and narrating their surroundings whenever they left the private suite.
They attended a lavish family dinner hosted at the sprawling Voss estate on Friday evening.
Astrid Voss sat at the head of the long mahogany table, sipping wine with an elegant but icy demeanor.
"I trust you are settling into your new duties, Thea," Astrid said, her sharp eyes cutting across the dining room.
"Lachlan is a wonderful husband, and I am happy to be here," Thea replied, forcing a warm smile for the benefit of the family.
Lachlan squeezed her hand under the table, a silent gesture of gratitude and solidarity.
After dinner, the guests moved to the drawing room for cigars and brandy.
Thea excused herself to visit the restroom, desperately needing a moment away from the suffocating tension.
As she washed her hands in the marble sink, the bathroom door slowly clicked shut behind her.
Julian Voss, Lachlan's uncle, stood leaning against the doorframe with a malicious smirk on his face.
"You play the role of the devoted wife quite well for a teenager," Julian sneered.
"Please step out of my way," Thea demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.
Julian did not move, but instead reached into his tailored jacket pocket.
"I thought you should see this before you get too comfortable in my nephew's bed," he said, handing her a folded piece of paper.
Thea opened it, her blood running completely cold.
May you like
It was a medical billing notice from her mother's hospital.
The document clearly stated that all funding for her mother's life-saving surgery had been abruptly canceled due to non-payment.
