His voice was as sharp as a knife, full of fury, like he was about to devour me whole.


    But I wasn’t afraid. If anything, it was the perfect time for me to speak my mind, so I let go of Josh’s hand.


    ? ? ? ?


    But then, in the next instant, Josh grabbed my hand again, his grip firm and protective.


    I looked at Josh, and he met my gaze. There was a familiar gleam in his eyes.


    That’s right-back in Tideport, when Effie had schemed to make me fall, Josh’s eyes had held the exact same light.


    But right now, I didn’t need it. I pulled my hand out of his grasp and said, “Mr. Dolton can’t eat me.”


    Josh didn’t stop me this time. I followed Alvin as he stormed off.


    He was walking with purpose, and Davy quickly followed. But after only a few steps, Alvin snapped, “Stay out of this.”


    Davy froze, casting a cautious nce at me before backing off.


    Alvin kept walking. I had no idea where he was headed, so I called out, “Mr. Dolton, if you have something to say, you can say it now.”


    He didn’t stop, but I did. I stood still, watching his back, and added, “If you have something to say, do it here. You’ve already wasted enough of my time.”


    Alvin stopped then, his posture tense as he turned to face me. I walked toward him, but before I could even get close, he raised his hand and grabbed my arm, squeezing it tightly.


    The world spun around me as he yanked me into a circle, pushing me hard against the wall. His cold breath washed over me as he loomed, his face-the face I’d admired for so long-hovering just inches from mine.


    His nose almost touched mine as he hissed, “Zoe, you really think you can use Josh to threaten me?”


    My back was pressed painfully against the wall, and I could feel the heat of his anger radiating. He was impulsive, hot- headed, and I knew it all too well from our past.


    For the past ten years, I’d tiptoed around him, afraid of setting him off.


    But for some reason, standing here now, looking at him, something inside me had shifted. I stared him down, unflinching. “I’m just trying to make sure your stubbornness doesn’t ruin the project’s timeline,” I said coolly.


    Alvin didn’t respond immediately, his eyes locked on mine with intensity. Then, he asked, “Are you really with Josh?”


    “No,” I answered inly, not even hesitating.


    Alvin smirked, bitter and mocking. “Really? You defend him, hold his hand, and now you’re telling me there’s nothing between you two?”


    I couldn’t help butugh at that. “If holding hands means we’re together, what does a kiss mean?”


    Alvin’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head as he snapped, “You kissed him? Is that what you’re telling me?”


    He didn’t finish the sentence, but the implication was clear-he was suggesting something far worse.


    I tilted my head, unfazed. “Alvin, I’m talking about you kissing Thea.”


    11:34 pm


    His grip on my arm tightened, and he froze. “What… what are you talking about?”


    You know exactly what I mean. I heard it myself, yesterday at the restaurant. Don’t pretend I’m making it up. I said, my voice steady. “Alvin, I didn’t expect you to be so shameless. Before your ‘good friend’ even died, you were already getting involved with his wife.”


    an


    Oscar had once told me that “a brother’s wife is off-limits,” and at the time, I’d thought he was just ying along with Alvin’s words. But now I realized Oscar had been trying to warn him.


    “It’s not what you think,” Alvin stammered, his face shifting from anger to frustration.


    I didn’t respond. The kiss had happened, and the details didn’t matter anymore.


    “I was drunk. I… I didn’t mean it,” he stuttered, trying to exin, his words tripping over themselves.


    I couldn’t help but finish his sentence for him. “Don’t tell me you thought she was me.”


    Alvin opened his mouth but stopped short.