Chapter 171: Unfinished Business
For the next few weeks, Bradley truly suffered. His fear grew day by day. He beca paranoid, easily startled, constantly on edge.
Then the news spread through the company.
Thea Montrose had woken up.
Only then did Bradley understand what it ant to live in hell.
He was consud by the fear that Thea would report him to Arthur. He was certain she had been outside his cabin that day. Certain she had seen or heard sothing.
His performance at work declined rapidly. He kept glancing over his shoulder, as if sothing was always chasing him.
Ryan nagged him almost daily after the news of Thea’s recovery broke.
Bradley finally couldn’t take it anymore.
He took ti off work and began stalking Thea Montrose. He broke into the estate grounds and climbed trees, sitting among the branches for hours. From there, he watched her through binoculars, peering into the windows.
When he saw Thea for the first ti after their last eting, he was stunned by how beautiful she was. He didn’t rember her being that beautiful.
As the days passed, the stalking turned into obsession.
In his small, delusional world, Bradley convinced himself that Thea truly loved him.
And he began to plan another accidental eting.
But soon, he grew frustrated again. Thea always had soone beside her. She was never left alone. It was worse than before.
And it was becoming more difficult for Bradley to stalk her without getting caught, especially around the estate.
That brat Julian had sohow tightened the security. Bradley couldn’t get close anymore. He couldn’t sit in trees and watch Thea through his binoculars. The only ti he could see her now was when she went out.
And those monts were rare.
Sotis days passed before Bradley caught even a glimpse of her again.
It wasn’t enough. Not even close.
He grew more restless by the day, until he nearly threw all caution aside when he saw Thea leaving the estate alone.
Finally, his chance had co.
He followed her all the way to the hospital. He knew she had a therapy session there. It would be her last.
After the session, he saw Thea exit the hospital and walk along the sidewalk, glancing around as if she were thinking of going shopping.
Bradley was ecstatic.
Heaven was finally helping him.
Bradley pulled his dark baseball cap lower as he followed Thea.
He trailed her across the street and into a shopping arcade. Then Thea began to window shop, moving from one store to another. He lost sight of her for a mont.
It happened a few tis.
But each ti, he managed to find her again.
It’s fate, Thea.
Then he saw her looking around, confused.
Ah. She’s lost. Just like she used to be.
Bradley smiled, a hint of nostalgia surfacing.
But what he saw next made his smile fade.
Several n approached her. She looked even more confused. More frightened.
Ah, Thea. Don’t be afraid. I’m coming.
He walked straight toward her, quickening his pace, not hesitating.
"Hey, Thea. It’s ."
He grabbed her upper arm and began to pull her away, guiding her to safety.
He felt her struggle, but dismissed it imdiately. She must not recognize him.
Of course. I’m wearing a hat.
When she pulled harder, his grip tightened.
"Don’t struggle. Stop making a scene, Thea. I need to talk to you!"
His voice ca out low and strained. He was afraid to use his real voice. His paranoia still had him in a chokehold.
Then—
His wrist was seized tightly by another hand.
"The lady doesn’t seem to want to follow you," a cold voice cut through the air.
"Let her go."
Bradley was startled. His free hand curled into a fist, instinctively ready to strike the other man.
Then he froze.
Liam Monfort.
Panic slamd into him. The next second, Bradley dropped his gaze to hide his face, loosened his grip on Thea, and tried to pull away.
But Liam’s hold remained firm.
"Where do you think you’re going?"
"It’s just a misunderstanding. A misunderstanding," Bradley stamred. "I’m sorry. Please, let
go."
He was genuinely terrified now.
The Monforts were even more dangerous than the Montroses. He couldn’t afford to cross them. Even the Blackwood Patriarch himself wouldn’t be able to save him if things went wrong.
A few onlookers began to slow down and watch.
So of them took out their phones, started to record.
Bradley’s panic spiked. He couldn’t be seen. Not here.
Then suddenly, Thea grabbed Liam’s arm.
"Let’s just let him go and get out of here," she whispered. "I don’t want to be a spectacle."
Relief flooded Bradley’s chest. But twisted beneath it was sothing darker.
Why are you so close to him, Thea? You’re mine.
Liam glanced around and saw that Thea was right. He turned back to Bradley, who imdiately lowered his head again, hiding his face.
"I’m letting you go this ti," Liam said coldly. "Don’t let
catch you doing this again. Get lost."
His grip vanished.
Bradley staggered, then broke into a run.
I’m sorry, Thea. I’m sorry I’m not strong enough.
I’ll co back next ti.
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"You want to do what?" Arthur looks at Theo, half confused, half disbelieving.
"You heard . Bradley Thomas. I want him." Theo’s voice is steady, unyielding.
"Want... want him as in...?" Arthur asks carefully.
Theo realizes how it sounds and lets out a short laugh.
"I’m not attracted to him, Art. Not anymore. Maybe I never really was." He exhales slowly, mories stirring. The fragnts of Thea’s past still sit uncomfortably in his mind.
"Whatever it was I felt toward that man, he targeted
deliberately. He lied. He used . He hurt ." Theo’s eyes harden. "I can’t let that go. I won’t."
"That’s easy," Arthur says at once, relief clear in his voice.
Relieved that his sister doesn’t have feelings toward that bastard.
Arthur never took any action so far because he was afraid Thea might be sad and hate him. And now, their relationship has just gotten better. He doesn’t want anything to jeopardize that.
"I have enough evidence to put him away. You don’t need to lift a finger."
"That’s the problem," Theo replies, sharper now.
"I don’t want this handled for ."
"I want to do it myself."
He ets Arthur’s gaze without flinching.
As I have promised you, Thea.
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