EPISODE SIX
ALTHEA
I lingered in front of the mirror longer than I should have, fingers smoothing over the soft champagne fabric of my dress for the third time.
It fell perfectly over my curves, hugging my waist before flowing effortlessly down, the silk catching the light in subtle waves.
It wasn’t loud.
It didn’t need to be.
It was the kind of elegance that spoke quietly but carried presence.
My reflection stared back at me—calm, composed, controlled.
A version of me I had perfected.
“You’re overthinking again,” Mira said from behind me, her voice cutting through the silence with familiar ease.
I didn’t turn.
“I’m not.”
“You are,” she replied, stepping closer, her brown curls bouncing slightly with the movement.
Her eyes scanned me in the mirror, sharp and knowing.
“You only go this quiet when you’re about to walk into something messy.”
I exhaled softly, reaching for my earrings.
“It’s just dinner.”
“With him there?” she scoffed.
“Please.”
I shot her a look through the mirror.
“I’ll be fine.”
Mira’s expression softened slightly, though the fire didn’t leave her eyes.
“I know you will. I just don’t trust him.”
That made something in my chest shift, but I masked it quickly.
“You don’t have to.”
She tilted her head, studying me for a moment longer before nodding.
“Still… if anyone says anything out of line—”
“Mira.”
She raised her hands in surrender, though I could tell she meant every word.
“Okay. Fine. But I’m watching.”
I allowed myself a small smile.
“That, I don’t doubt.”
⸻
The rehearsal dinner was set on an open terrace overlooking the soft glow of the city.
Strings of warm lights hung overhead, casting a golden hue across the space, while candles flickered on every table, reflecting off polished glassware.
The air carried a mix of quiet laughter, clinking glasses, and low music that made everything feel almost… intimate.
Aria spotted me immediately.
Her face lit up, green eyes bright against her pale, freckled skin, her ginger hair falling softly over her shoulders.
She looked radiant—happy in a way that settled something inside me.
“Thea!” she called, moving toward me quickly.
I smiled, pulling her into a hug.
“You look beautiful.”
She laughed, her voice light.
“I feel like I might cry at any moment.”
“Please don’t,” Mira said, appearing beside me.
“I didn’t bring waterproof mascara.”
Ryan joined us then, his presence calm and steady, his hand naturally finding Aria’s waist.
He looked at her like she was the only person in the room.
“You made it,” he said warmly, turning to me.
“Of course,” I replied.
His eyes moved over my outfit briefly, appreciative but respectful.
“You look stunning, Althea.”
“Careful,” Mira muttered.
Ryan chuckled.
“I can compliment a friend. I’m not reckless.”
Aria elbowed him lightly, smiling.
Before I could respond, Aria’s mother appeared, her expression instantly warm.
“Althea,” she said, pulling me into a hug without hesitation.
“It’s been too long.”
“Good evening, ma,” I said softly, returning it.
She pulled back, holding my arms as she looked at me properly.
“Still as beautiful and well-mannered as ever.”
“Thank you.”
“Aria used to talk about you constantly,” she added with a knowing smile.
“Mom,” Aria groaned.
I laughed lightly, but the words settled somewhere deeper than I wanted to admit.
Ryan cleared his throat.
“You’ve met my parents?”
I turned as a well-dressed couple approached.
His mother carried herself with quiet elegance, while his father had a softer, more relaxed demeanor.
“This is Althea,” Ryan said.
“It’s a pleasure,” I greeted.
His mother smiled politely.
“We’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Hopefully nothing too dramatic,” I said.
His father chuckled.
“Only that you survived these two,” he said, gesturing to Aria and Mira.
“That’s still under review,” I replied, earning a small laugh.
For a moment, everything felt easy.
Then the air shifted.
I didn’t need to be told.
I felt it.
I turned—and saw him.
Elias.
Black hair slightly tousled, like he’d run his hands through it one too many times.
The soft light caught against it, creating subtle highlights.
His deep blue eyes scanned the room once before landing on me—and stopping.
Something flickered there.
Recognition.
Tension.
Something softer he didn’t quite hide fast enough.
He walked toward us, posture straight, expression controlled, but I noticed the slight stiffness in his shoulders.
“Ryan,” he greeted, pulling him into a brief embrace.
“Congratulations.”
“About time you showed up,” Ryan replied.
Elias nodded, then glanced at Aria.
“You look happy.”
“I am,” she said simply.
Then his gaze found me again.
“Althea.”
My name came out lower.
Familiar.
“Elias.”
Mira shifted beside me, subtle but deliberate.
His eyes flicked to her briefly before returning to me.
“And this must be her.”
The voice was smooth.
Refined.
I turned.
Elias’ mother approached, her posture flawless, her expression composed in a way that suggested control over every room she entered.
Behind her stood a man—taller, broader, with streaks of grey at his temples and kind eyes that softened his otherwise stern features.
“Mom,” Elias said.
Her gaze moved to me, sharp and assessing.
“I’m Mrs. Laurent,” she said.
“Althea,” I replied, extending my hand.
She took it lightly, her grip brief.
“I’ve heard quite a bit about you.”
The words sounded polite.
The tone wasn’t.
Before I could respond, the man beside her stepped forward.
“Althea?” he said, studying me more closely.
I blinked, slightly caught off guard.
“Yes?”
A slow smile spread across his face.
“I thought so. You used to visit Ryan’s place years ago, didn’t you?”
Recognition clicked.
“Yes… sir.”
He chuckled warmly.
“No ‘sir.’ It’s been a while. You’ve grown.”
His tone carried genuine approval.
Something in me relaxed—just slightly.
“She’s a doctor now,” Mrs. Laurent added smoothly.
“Yes,” I said.
“Physiology.”
“Impressive,” Mr. Laurent said, nodding.
“We need more women like that.”
“Thank you.”
Mrs. Laurent’s smile returned, thinner this time.
“I imagine that kind of career leaves very little room for… personal distractions.”
I held her back with a light touch.
“I make time for what matters,” I replied calmly.
Mrs. Laurent tilted her head.
“Do you?”
The question lingered.
“Mom,” Elias said quietly.
“We’re just talking,” she replied.
“Yes,” I said evenly.
“We are.”
Something in her eyes sharpened—but she didn’t push further.
We were seated soon after.
Of course, Elias was beside me.
“You handled that well,” he murmured.
“I’m used to difficult conversations,” I replied.
He let out a quiet breath.
“She’s… particular.”
“That’s one word for it.”
A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
Without asking, he poured a drink and set it in front of me.
The familiarity of it made my chest tighten.
“You still do that,” I said.
“Do what?”
“Act like nothing’s changed.”
His jaw tightened slightly.
“Some things haven’t.”
I didn’t respond.
Aria stood then, raising her glass.
“The best love stories don’t start with romance,” she said softly.
“They start with friendship.”
The word hit me instantly.
And just like that—
“You’re scared of flying?” I had asked, trying not to laugh.
Elias rolled his eyes.
“Don’t make it a thing.”
“I’m not. I just didn’t expect that from you.”
He sighed, leaning back.
“I don’t like not being in control.”
I softened.
“Then don’t do it alone.”
He looked at me.
Something shifted.
“Fly with me,” I added.
Back to the present—
“To love,” Aria finished.
“To love,” we echoed.
Then the doors opened.
Elias went still.
I noticed immediately.
A woman walked in—tall, elegant, confident.
Dark hair styled perfectly, her presence commanding without effort.
She walked straight to him.
Like she belonged there.
Like she always had.
She leaned in and kissed his cheek.
“Elias.”
My chest tightened.
I didn’t look at him.
I didn’t need to.
Because I saw something else.
His mother.
Watching.
Smiling.
Approving.
And that was when I knew this wasn’t just a coincidence.
It wasn’t the kiss that unsettled me.
It was the way his mother smiled… like this was exactly who she had been waiting for.