Maybe her aunt and uncle didn''t know the whole messy story with her and Zach, but Tara definitely did.


    Tara had seen it all y out-how she and Zach met, how they fell for each other, and how it all fell apart in the end. But after everything, it was Tara who ended up with Zach. And Tara had chosen to keep that from her.


    Reese looked down. It wasn''t like she begrudged Zach for finding happiness with someone else, or resented Tara for being the one he chose. She truly wished them both well. Still, Reese couldn''t help but wonder, was she still Tara''s friend now?


    She managed a tight smile. "That''s great. Your parents must be really happy you''re back."


    "Well, Reese,e home with us. Let''s all have dinner together as a family."


    Before Reese could even say no, Tara grabbed her hand and tugged her along, not giving her any chance to argue. She all but shoved Reese into the car.


    The drive back was quiet. When they finally reached the familiar apartmentplex, the car pulled to a stop.


    Reese pushed open the door, only to hear Tara let out a startled gasp.


    A loud bark shook the car windows. From behind the thick shrubs, a huge pit bull charged out, drool hanging off its teeth, staring them down.


    Reese jumped back, mming her lower back against the car door. Pain shot up her spine as she sucked in a sharp breath.


    "Tara!" Zach''s voice cut through the chaos, sharper than the dog''s bark. He pulled Tara behind him and nted himself between her and the dog, ready to protect her.


    The pit bull was riled up by Zach''s movement. It red at them all. Then, following some animal instinct, it lunged straight at Reese-the one who looked the most vulnerable.


    Reese''s eyes went wide as cold sweat soaked through her shirt. Her heart hammered, and for a second, she couldn''t breathe.


    "Max! Get back!" A man in a tracksuit came running from the outdoor gym, grabbing the leash and yanking hard.


    The dog let out a frustrated whine, stumbling backward, but it never took its eyes off Reese. Its tail whipped through the holly bushes, knocking leaves to the ground.


    "Control your dog," Zach said, his voice low and angry.


    "Zach, please. I''m scared," Tara whispered, her pale fingers wrapped around his arm. She tried to calm him. "I''m fine, really. Calm down."


    Zach pulled her closer, his arm firm around her shoulders. "Don''t worry. I''m here."


    Reese''s hands curled into fists at her sides, nails digging into her palms. She stared at the bulletin board a few yards away, the notices pping in the wind, loud enough to drown out the man''s apologies.


    She watched Zach walk away with Tara, his arm protectively around her, and let out a long sigh.


    All that youthful love had been twisted by time into something she barely recognized. There was no going back.


    Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, in Dominic''s office—


    Dominic picked up his chipped travel mug, but didn''t take a sip. Instead, he mmed it back down on his desk with a dull thud.


    He couldn''t shake the memory of that morning. Getting someone from Iron Financial to show up was never easy. Even if he called personally, it wasn''t a sure thing.


    He remembered the slender figure he''d seen upstairs earlier, looking even thinner


    and more worn out than she had seven years ago.


    Serves her right, he thought, feeling a bitter satisfaction.


    Dominic grabbed his phone and, almost without thinking, dialed a number he


    hadn''t touched in ages. His fingers still remembered the way.