Dumping My Fiancé For His Uncle

Chapter 10

Thea chuckled. "Perfect! Since Mom and Dad gave you that beach house up north, I'll just move in there. Thanks for handing it over."

Emmalie's eyes filled with tears.

Ivy spun around, snapping impatiently. "Why do you always goalter Emmalie's things? That house was her birthday gift. You've worked at Avon Ventures for years. Can't you afford your own place by now?" Thea had grown used to such unfair treatment, but her heart still ached. Keeping her face expressionless, she stood up. Fine. I'll move out. I'll go pack my things,"

Ivy grabbed her arm, holding her back. "No need to rush. If you didn't have my blood, I wouldn't bother with an ungrateful brat like you. You're coming with me to the Hendrix family home." Thea's eye twitched. "Why are we going there?"

"To apologize to Jake, of course, Ivy replied with a frown. "Be sweet, offer to give up the deputy manager position, and tell him you lost your temper earlier and didn't mean to argue. That bitch will never be part of the Hendrix family. Once you marry Jake none of this will matter." Thea pulled away, resisting. "No way. I didn't do anything wrong I'm not apologizing. Let go of me."

hand flew across Thea's face in a hard slap. "How long are you going to keep acting like this? What if you push Jake too far? What'll happen to the Rowland family then? Don't want to go, huh? Fine. I'll send you overseas. From now on, I don't have a daughter like

Ívy barked orders at her bodyguards, who grabbed Thea roughly, forcing her into the car. Their grip on her arms was tight, treating her like a criminal.

Seeing Ivy's cold expression, Thea felt her heart breaking. "Mom, I need you to be honest with me. If this had happened to Emmalie, would you make her swallow her pride and apologize like this?".

Ivy looked at her, exasperated. "When will you grow up? Emmale's been through so much out there. We need to protect her. We owe her that, and so do you, Besides, if Emunalie were in your shoes, she'd never be this selfish," Ivy's favoritism was crystal clear. Thea fought back tears, staring out the window. She realized she no longer wanted to fight for her family's love.

"I'm so sorry Thea caused trouble. She's always been difficult, acting out since she was little, Ivy said over the phone, trying to shift all the blame onto Thea

"Cancel the

I the engagement? Oh, no, please. She just loves Jake too much, and that's why she acted that way, by continued. "She knows she was wrong and wants to apologize in person. Please tell Jake not to take it to heart." Simone replied casually and hung up.

Beside her, Jake chuckled coldly, his irritation from earlier fading after hearing Ivy's call. "I thought she'd finally stand up for herself, but it's the same old routine.

Simone rolled her eyes "These small-time girls only know how to cause drama. But don't get carried away, Jake. You can have your fun with Madelyn, but don't think of bringing her into this family."

Jake frowned, annoyed. "Madelyn has been through a lot. She is sweet and lurmless. Besides, Thea was the one stirring things up, not her?

Simone softened, waving her hand dismissively. "Fine, fine, whatever. Thea's group will be here in ten minutes. You stay put, and I'll handle her for you."

"No need." Jake said, standing up and grabbing his jacket. I'm heading to the hospital. If Thea really wants to make it up to me, tell her to apologize to Madelyn there.

With that, he left, leaving Simone to yawn, clearly unbothered. It's late. I'm going to bed," she said.

The butler looked puzzled. "What about the Rowland family?"

Simone scoffed. "Who do they think they are?

As the car glided down Lark Highway, Ivy sudden should I welcome them when they're the ones begging for forgiveness? Thea is here to apologize, right? Let her wait at the door. I don't want to be disturbed."

told I the driver to turn back. "Emmalie says she has a headache. I need to take her to the hospital myself

The driver hesitated, glancing at Thea in the backseat. "Why dont we drop Thea at the Hendrix family home first? It won't take long, only 6 miles"

Ivy glanced at Thea. Thea, get out," she said firmly through gritted teeth.

Thea glanced outside into the pitch-black night, anxiety creeping in.

There were no lights, no stores, no houses - just a long stretch of empty road surrounded by woods. Even a grown man would think twice about walking here alone, let alone a young woman. Thea stayed rooted in place, her voice tight with frustration. "Mom, it's late. Do you really want me to walk all the way there?" ther

Ivy shrugged it off like it was nothing. "Emmalie's in pain. It's only 6 miles. If you have to, just flag down a car.

A lump formed in Thea's throat. "Are you telling me to walk alone at night or hitch a ride with a stranger? Aren't you worried about what might happen? You're concerned about Ernmalie, but why can't you worry about me?" Ivy's patience snapped. She signaled for the driver to stop and, with a cold command, had someone pull Thea out of the car

She spat, full of blame, "You brought this on yourself. I'm wasting time driving you to the Hendrix family home when Emmalie needs me. What are you even complaining about?

"If something happens, it's your fault for upsetting Jake. You just won't be satisfied until Emmalie's suffering, right?"

The night air bit at Thea, making her shiver. Desperate, she knocked on the car window. "Mom, let me come with you. We can handle this another day.

But Ivy ignored her. She ordered the driver to start the engine, her voice laced with worry for Ermalie, already told the Hendrix family you're coming to apologize. How would it look if I brought you back now? Call Jake. He'll come get you" With that, the car sped off, leaving Thea standing in a cloud of dust on the dark, corply road.

The Hendrix Mansion was the only thing up the mountain, meaning there'd be no other cars coming by

Thea began the long walk, freezing as she trudged for two miles Exhausted and out of options, she unblocked Jake's number and tried calling him.

The phone rang once before abruptly cutting off. Then a message flashed on her screen.

Jake: [I'm tired of your games. Stop trying. I won't pick up.

Thea's fingers hovered over the screen as she resisted the sirge to delete his contact entirely. She started to type a message but found she was already blocked.

With no other choice, Thea swallowed her pride and called Simone.

The butler answered icily, "Mrs. Hendrix is asleep. If you want to apologize, show some sincerity. Don't disturb her rest. Feeling defeated, Thea kept walking.

As she continued along the road, a group of drunk men approached from a nearby construction site. Their boozy stench filled the air, and Thea lowered her head with a frown. Still, their eyes locked onto her like predators spotting prey. The leader whistled. Thea's heart raced, and sensing danger, she quickened her pace. But it was no use - she couldn't outrun

them

them

They quickly surrounded her. "Whoa, she's like a movie star!" one of them said. "Hey, beautiful, what are you doing here? How much for a night with us? Don't worry. We've got the cash Their cruel laughter echoed, and they leered at her, hungry with intent.

Thea clenched her jaw, but she kept her tone cold. I'm with the Hendrix family. Do you really want to mess with me?" The mention of the Hendrix family caused a brief hesitation. The men exchanged cautious glances.

But one of them scoffed, breaking the tension, "Well, maids of the Hendrix family would drive a BMW just to go grocery shopping. If you're really with them, why are you walking alone at night?" "Yeah, she's bluffing, another chimed in.

Let's sh

"She is just playing hard to get. Let's show her what happens when she messes with us, the third said, a sinister grin spreading across his face,