“Don’t say a word to Dashiell about this card. If he asks, you tell him you’re the one who’s been using it. If you can’t cooperate with me on this, then our deal is off, and you won’t see a single cent from me, Thea!” Saphira threw out the threat, making sure Thea wouldn’t push back.
“Why are you being so heartless to me, Saphira?” Thea felt the sting of disappointment.
This was the first time she’d seen this side of her friend.
“Heartless? I’m just taking what’s rightfully mine, so don’t act like some victim!”
“But that card was given to me. I’m the one responsible for it.”
“Enough. That card was only given to you because he thinks you’re me. I’m the one who has every right to use it, so there’s nothing wrong with what I’m doing. I’m sure he won’t even ask you about it while I’m using it. Trust me!”
Thea lowered her gaze.
That wasn’t really the problem.
Maybe Dashiell wouldn’t ask if Saphira only used it once or twice, but if she went overboard, wouldn’t he grow suspicious and start questioning her about it?
“Saphira, please don’t overuse it. He’ll get suspicious.”
“Don’t worry, I know my limits. I won’t overdo it, and if he asks, you just play along like it was you who used it.” Saphira grabbed her bag.
She’d gotten exactly what she came for.
“I’m heading out now. Don’t worry, we won’t need to meet again while you’re here.”
“Wait, didn’t you ask me here to have lunch together? Are you really leaving now that you have the card?”
“I did only want the card, I’m sorry for lying to you about it. If you want to eat, go ahead and order. I’ll cover it right now!”
**Claim**
“Don’t bother, just go!” Thea was starting to feel sick to her stomach with Saphira, especially watching her cozy up to Joseph like that.
She had no idea what Saphira was thinking, trying to keep a foot in two different boats at once.
No wonder Dashiell thought so little of her.
Thea couldn’t even argue with him on that, because everything he’d said about her turned out to be true.
Saphira and Joseph left, leaving Thea behind.
She lowered her head, looking utterly defeated.
She felt used, like a tool Saphira had picked up just to get her hands on some money.
Tears threatened to spill, but Thea held them back.
She told herself she had no right to feel hurt or sad, since it really was Saphira’s money to claim.
But deep down, she felt a pang of pity for Dashiell, a man being played for a fool by his own wife.
Once this whole charade ended, would Saphira actually settle into being his wife while still carrying on with Joseph behind his back?
Just imagining it made her stomach turn, and again she found herself pitying Dashiell, a man who would end up sleeping with a woman who’d already been sleeping with someone else.
No, she told herself.
She had no right to get so wrapped up in their relationship.
Whether Saphira was playing Dashiell for a fool or not, it wasn’t something she should care about.
“Miss, are you ready to order?” Thea startled when a waiter appeared at her side.
“Um, yes.” She picked up the menu and ordered a few things.
She wanted to sit there a while longer, mostly because she had nowhere else to be.
No, that wasn’t quite it either.
It wasn’t that she had nowhere to go, it was that she didn’t have enough money to go anywhere.
She’d planned to spend the rest of the day sightseeing somewhere nice, but that was off the table now.
She had enough for a taxi or the train, but lunch?
Her budget definitely wouldn’t stretch that far.
She had no idea how much longer she’d be in the city, and asking Dashiell for money was out of the question.
Beyond the embarrassment, she was terrified of getting caught.
A bowl of salad arrived, the only thing her thin wallet could afford.
It would have to do, especially since she’d be having dinner with Dashiell that evening anyway.
Meanwhile, Dashiell received a notification from the bank, alerting him that the card he’d given Thea had just been used.
As before, the charge was for clothing, since Saphira had gone straight to buying things for herself and Joseph.
Dashiell didn’t think twice about it.
He assumed it was Thea using the card, since he’d told her to go buy herself some clothes.
He was happy to let his wife spend his money however she liked, all the more so because he was now certain she wasn’t Saphira.
Since he was in the middle of lunch with his client, he only had a brief window to call his wife.
He excused himself for a moment, promising he wouldn’t be long.
Thea was still working through her salad when Dashiell’s call came in.
She answered right away, not wanting to keep him waiting.
“Aren’t you supposed to be busy?”
“I’ve got a minute to call you. Have you eaten yet?”
“Of course, I’m eating right now. What about you?” She was relieved his call had come after Saphira had already left.
“I’m having lunch with my client too.”
“Then why are you calling me? Don’t keep your business partner waiting.”
**Claim**
“O-of course,” Thea said, suddenly nervous he might ask for the card back.
“Good, buy whatever you like. I don’t mind at all.”
“Thank you, Dashiell.” Hearing him say that made her wonder if Saphira really had already used the card to shop.
She hoped he’d block it.
That way, at least Saphira couldn’t turn around and blame her for it.
“What time will you be back?” she asked, just to make conversation.
“I can’t say for sure yet, maybe around five in the evening. Enjoy your day, and be ready by the time I get back.”
“I won’t disappoint you, Dashiell.” This was going to be a night that mattered to her, and she had no intention of letting him down.
“All right, I need to get back to work. Tomorrow, we can spend the whole day together.”
“Really?” Thea lit up at the thought.
“Does that mean you can spend tomorrow with me around the city?” She’d assumed he’d be busy the entire trip.
“Yeah, just tomorrow, since after that I’ll be swamped again. So start thinking about where you want to go. Wherever it is, I’ll take you there.”
“Oh, I’m so happy to hear that. I’ll start thinking of somewhere nice to visit.” Thank goodness.
At least she wouldn’t have to spend the whole trip cooped up in the hotel room, even if Dashiell only had the one day to spare for her.
Without realizing it, a smile had spread across his own face.
Thea’s happiness seemed to be contagious.
Ever since he’d noticed something different about his wife, he found himself genuinely enjoying what they had together.
There was only one thing he hoped for now.
That his suspicions weren’t wrong.
“Enjoy the rest of your day. I need to get back to work.”
“Thank you, Dashiell. I’ll be waiting for you at the hotel.” Her spirits lifted again, despite the unpleasant scene from earlier.
It didn’t matter.
Saphira might have walked away with his money, but Thea had something better, time.
She was going to spend a wonderful day with Dashiell, and that meant more to her than any amount of money.
Whatever they shared together would become a memory she’d carry with her forever, especially once they were no longer together.
Thea finished her salad, left the restaurant, and made her way back to the hotel.
She still had plenty of time before evening, but she wanted to get ready early.
She wanted to soak in a warm, scented bath and make sure she looked as beautiful as possible, so she wouldn’t disappoint Dashiell tonight.