MasukI turned, and whatever he saw in my face made his grip loosen. "What changed?" My voice rose, sharpened. "You really want to know what changed, Edward?" He stared at me, silent, his hand still wrapped around my wrist. "The night Lily had her procedure." I let the words drop heavy between us. "Do
Alicia's POV The marble was cool under my palms. I'd been gripping the edge of the sink longer than necessary, staring at the woman in the mirror as though she belonged to someone else. She looked composed. Self-possessed. Nothing like the girl who used to fold herself smaller to survive Edward’s
She was trying to shift focus. Make Daniel the center. Diminish Alicia. But Daniel wasn't biting. "The Series D round went well," he said. "Routine for a company our size. What Alicia built, though? That’s real innovation." Alicia reached out. Touched his arm lightly. "Daniel." Her voice was sof
Edward's POV I was already standing. Didn't remember deciding to. My chair had scraped back, my hands were flat on the table, and I was staring at her as if she'd materialized out of nothing. She looked different. Not the careful elegance she used to wear for my mother’s approval. This was confi
The world tilted. “What?” “Edward Valentine. Your soon-to-be ex-husband. He’s my brother.” “What Edward?” My chest tightened, breath stalling. “No.” I shook my head. “That’s not possible.” “Alicia.” “You can’t be his brother.” My hand went for the door. “You can’t.” “I didn’t tell you because
Alicia's POV Twelve fifty. The cab slowed at a red light three blocks from the address. I glanced at my phone, though nothing had changed. The text sat there exactly as it had all morning, plain, unambiguous. Lunch. 1 o’clock. 140 Franklin St. Buzzer 4B. “Almost there,” the driver said, catchin







