Chapter 32: The Art of Humility

**Thelma Zane’s POV** His words felt like the last blow to my fragile pride. My glare burned with unrestrained anger as I hissed, “Don’t you regret this later!” Deep down, I knew there was no chance I could defeat someone as experienced as Aldrich. But admitting that, even to myself, was too bitter a pill to swallow. All I needed was to stall for time, or so I thought. Yet, before I could muster a proper resistance, he overpowered me again. His hand easily pinned both of mine above my head, while his other arm wrapped firmly around my waist, pulling me closer. I felt the heat rise to my cheeks as I realized how compromising our position was. “Thelma, you’re not ready yet,” Aldrich whispered, his voice low and steady, as if he had all the time in the world. The realization of how we must look struck me suddenly. If anyone were to stumble upon us like this, it would be impossible to explain it away. This was especially troubling given the knowledge that Aldrich harbored feeli