Chapter 31: The Extent of Power
Miranda and Claudia are finally satisfied with Theo’s hair. They’ve been fussing over his appearance for at least forty-five minutes, wanting him to look perfect for his "first eting" with Liam.
Theo just lets them play with his hair because he can see it makes Leila happy. He only draws the line when they try to apply makeup on him. He puts his foot down, and with Leila supporting him, the mother-and-daughter pair wisely step back.
Miranda clasps her hands together and takes a step back, admiring her work. "You look stunning, Thea!"
Claudia also takes a step back, puts her hands on her hips, and grins. Her light brown eyes sparkle with excitent. "You’re right, Mom! Liam’s not gonna know what hit ’im!"
They both laugh so happily, anyone would think they’d just won the lottery.
Leila and Theo look at each other and laugh, too.
Their laughter reaches the living room, where Linus and Sam are talking. Hearing it, for the first ti since Sam entered the apartnt, Linus actually smiles.
Seeing that, Sam stares for a mont. He’s smiling! I never knew he could smile like that. He looks down quickly, hiding his grin. For so reason, hearing the laughter makes him feel happy, too. He knows how much Arthur suffered when Thea was in a coma.
Click.
The door to the guest room opens. Linus gets up and walks toward it.
"Stop!" Claudia holds up her hand, stopping her father. She looks around. "Where’s Liam? I don’t see him!"
Linus blinks innocently. "I don’t know, Little One. I’m not his babysitter."
Claudia pouts. "Dad! Don’t call
Little One! I’m not that short! I’m..." She puffs out her chest. "Averagely tall."
Theo widens his eyes. Averagely tall? He presses his lips together to stifle a smile.
Miranda steps forward, putting an arm around Claudia protectively. Both Monfort n love to tease her whenever they can.
"Linus," she says gently. Linus’s smirk fades from his normally cold face. When Miranda uses that tone, it’s a clear sign she’s not happy.
"Where’s Liam?" she asks again, still in that gentle voice. Claudia feels chills run down her spine.
Linus clears his throat. "He called and said he’s not coming. He has so other stuff to do."
Miranda squints dangerously. "Not coming?"
"Hmm. He dares lie to his mother?" she continues in that dangerously calm tone. Linus doesn’t envy his son’s fate, and Claudia silently lights a candle for him.
Leila steps forward. "Mir, it’s not that we’re not grateful, but Thea and I really need to get back."
Miranda whips around, putting on her best sad face. "Lei, I just want Thea to et Liam. That’s all. Just et. Nothing more."
Leila laughs softly. "I know you do. Don’t worry, I’m not going to stop them from eting. But we really need to—"
"Then you should stay for dinner!" Miranda cuts in before she can finish. She’s still hoping her son will show up soon.
"I’m sorry to interrupt, Mrs. Montrose, but Ms. Montrose has a physiotherapy session in twenty minutes," Sam interjects. Arthur had made it very clear in his order this morning—and repeated it again this afternoon—that Thea must not miss her physiotherapy session.
"Ah, yes! That’s right! Physiotherapy!" Leila closes her eyes briefly. "I knew I’d forgotten sothing. Thank you, Sam."
"Physiotherapy?" Claudia links her arm through Theo’s. "What’s wrong, Thea? Were you hurt?"
The Monforts all show genuine concern—especially Miranda and Claudia.
Theo doesn’t know what to say, so he looks at Leila, who sighs.
"I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but Thea has been... sick. She was bedridden for a while, and now she needs her therapy," Leila explains finally.
"What?" Both Miranda and Claudia are startled. Miranda goes to Leila. "Then you should go. I’ll co to the estate, and we’ll talk."
She turns to Theo, "For now, you should go. You can’t be late."
With Miranda practically shooing them, the three are already in the elevator less than three minutes later.
Before the doors close, Claudia calls out to Theo, "I’ll co to the estate with Mom—to find you!"
On their way down, Sam looks at Leila. "I’m sorry, Mrs. Montrose. I didn’t know they didn’t already know about Ms. Montrose’s incident."
Leila waves her hand dismissively. "Ah, don’t worry. I was bound to tell Miranda anyway. And if Miranda knows—her whole family will know."
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At the suite:
After sending the Montroses to the elevator, Miranda looks troubled. Linus notices and puts an arm around her. Miranda automatically leans into him.
"Don’t worry too much. You can see that Thea’s okay," Linus says quietly.
"Yeah," Miranda murmurs, then elbows him gently. "Do you know what happened? I want to hear the details from Leila, but give
a heads up."
Linus sighs. "Thea was in a coma for three weeks."
Miranda turns fully to him, eyes widening in shock. "What? Why?"
Claudia, who’s about to enter her room, hears her mother’s exclamation and returns. "What’s wrong, Mom?"
"Thea was in a coma for three weeks—and she just woke up seven days ago. She only returned ho yesterday," Linus answers.
Claudia’s mouth opens in disbelief. "Coma?" she whispers.
"Oh my god. That explains Leila’s behavior this afternoon. She must’ve been worried sick! I need to visit her soon," Miranda says. Then she leans over and kisses Linus lightly on the cheek. "Thank you."
Linus blinks. "You’re not mad?"
Miranda looks at him, puzzled. "For what?"
Linus touches the spot where she kissed him. "For keeping tabs on the Montroses."
Claudia wisely bolts out of the room before the conversation goes further.
Miranda smiles, a knowing one. "I know you only did that for . You’re worried that if sothing bad happened to the Montroses—especially Leila—I’d be sad. So, you kept tabs on them."
Linus raises an eyebrow. "You knew?"
Miranda scoffs lightly. "Of course I knew, Linus. I’m your wife."
She turns and walks toward the living room, leaving Linus standing there with a faint, almost helpless smile.
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