Chapter 4

I looked at her face and felt a brief moment of dislocation.

She had no idea.

Every time she'd ditched me for her precious Ryan, I'd picked up a cigarette.

"Long time."

"How come I never knew?"

Claire took a deep breath, shot a wary glance at Sienna—probably sizing up the competition—and pulled me a step closer.

She lowered her voice.

"Enzo, I know you're upset about the ticket thing yesterday. But can you please not be like this?"

"You're here now. Can't we just have a good time? I'll take you to the North Shore tomorrow—you've always wanted to surf those waves, right?"

I looked her in the eye and laughed bitterly.

"The North Shore—isn't that the place you and Ryan promised to visit together?"

I pointed at the Instagram post Ryan had just put up.

Claire's face darkened, but she forced an explanation.

"Ryan's only in Hawaii once, he's excited to check off all the spots. Don't be so petty."

"I swear, we're just solid friends. Nothing else."

"The wedding photos—I was just being a stand-in, that's all."

She said it all with such sincerity, as if they were truly innocent.

But I wanted to laugh.

Who'd buy that?

They'd been posing for wedding photos with so much heat, even the photographer thought they were a real couple about to tie the knot.

Even when they were directed into a kissing pose—the classic fake-out, lips inches apart—she didn't bother correcting anyone.

And that right there—that moment—was unforgivable.

"I told you, what you do has nothing to do with me. I'm not gonna get in your way."

I stubbed out my cigarette and flicked it into an empty soda can.

"I'm here for a vacation. Not to crash yours."

"You—"

"Claire, just let it go."

Ryan grabbed her arm. "He's still worked up, babe. Don't fight with him. Let him cool off."

He pulled her back, but after two steps, he turned and shot me a smug look.

"Bro, hotels here are crazy hard to book during peak season—we snagged our spot two weeks early. If you didn't get a room, you could always crash with us. The tent's not huge, but three people can squeeze in, I'm sure—"

"Wow, you've got some nerve. Squeeze in with a married couple? I'm curious how you say that with a straight face."

Before I could answer, Sienna cut him off, arms crossed.

"Who the hell are you?" Ryan's face went pale. "What gives you the right to talk to me like that?"

"The right to call out a sleazy little homewrecker."

Sienna fired back quick and sharp—and honestly, watching her tear into him felt way too good. I couldn't help the smirk that crept onto my face.

"Come on, let's go."

Sienna grabbed my hand and pulled me into a run. Ryan was fuming behind us, trying to chase us down.

"You better stop right there! Get back here!"

His voice faded into the background. All I could focus on was her hand wrapped around mine, and my heart beating a little faster.

Sienna drove me to my resort—and as it turned out, she was staying right next door in the same luxury villa complex.

"What a coincidence. If those two losers try anything, just knock on my door. I'll shut 'em down for you."

I smiled. "Free of charge?"

That night, Claire cornered me at the resort entrance, her face pale.

"Enzo, who is that woman? Why was she holding your hand?"

"What's your deal, really? Tell me the truth—did you two come here together?"

I stared at her in disbelief. It was almost funny.

She's the one with all the shady business with another guy, and she's interrogating me like I'm the one cheating.

"Claire, let's get a divorce."

"What did you say?"

I chuckled softly. "You've already taken wedding photos with someone else. What's the point of this marriage anymore?"

"It's just… pointless."

"So Claire, I'm setting you free. Go be with your childhood sweetheart."

She stared at me, stunned.

"Enzo, what the hell are you saying? You want to divorce me just because I came to Hawaii with Ryan?"

"How can you be so childish?"

"Have you forgotten—you stood at our wedding and promised to grow old with me?"

I watched her fall apart, watched her spiral.

And I just said flatly, the same way I'd delivered the news to rivals who'd crossed the family.

"Claire, I don't want to grow old with you anymore."

"So yes. We're done."

Her face went white, her jaw tight.

"Is it because of that woman?"

"She was looking at you funny today—don't you dare tell me you've got something going on after one trip to Hawaii?"

I looked at her pathetic state and smiled faintly.

"That's not your concern anymore. You should worry about yourself."

Claire's head snapped up.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

She'd just touched my sleeve. I made a show of brushing off the dust—a gesture I'd learned from watching my father dismiss his enemies.

"You'll find out soon enough, Ms. Clark. Enjoy it while it lasts."

I turned and walked away.

Claire's eyes went red as she tried to run after me—but then her phone rang.

"What?!" she barked into it.

But her assistant's voice on the other end was practically crying.

"Ms. Clark, we've got a huge problem! That shell investor who promised us thirty million—they just pulled out completely…"