Chapter Eight:"The Impossible Choice"

My day was spent vacillating between rage and tears. The twins were infuriatingly stubborn and dense. I bitterly regretted the dinner with Killian; had I ignored him entirely, my life might still possess some semblance of normalcy. While a small, buried part of me wondered what would happen if I surrendered control and saw what they were offering, my logic thankfully continued to override my lack of inhibition.

With only an hour left in the workday, my office door swung open with a violent thud, the echo resounding like a gunshot. I jumped, glaring at the intruder who had dared to enter unannounced.

"Are you insane?"

"Mia."

Of course, it was Killian. My face was surely flushed not from fluster, but from rapidly mounting fury. "What part of 'leave me alone' is difficult for you to grasp?" I asked, my expression twisted into a scowl.

He paused, but before he could speak, I pressed on. "I can what? Fine, you’re obsessed with me. Deal with it like an adult and stop harassing me." I slammed my hand onto my desk, desperate to physically block him from advancing further into my sanctuary. He and his brother had already violated my headspace; I would not let them desecrate my safe space any further.

Kade stood behind him, silent and observant. He watched me as though I were a wild creature ready to strike. Good they should be wary.

"Don't hide, Mia," Kade said softly.

That snapped something inside me. A harsh, sharp laugh escaped my lips. "Neither of you has the right to say that."

"I do, actually," Killian countered. "You’re making a scene."

"A scene?" I gestured wildly. "You bought my company, leaked photos, trailed me into a restroom, and kicked down my door, yet I'm the one causing a scene?"

"Yes."

Ignoring his brother, Kade stepped into the room.

"Stay out," I commanded.

"I’m the CEO," he replied, a faint, fleeting smile playing on his lips. Against my better judgment, my heart skipped a beat. While Killian held back, Kade closed the distance until I was enveloped by the familiar scent of his cologne the same one from five years ago.

"This is an HR violation," I snapped, though my resolve wavered under his proximity.

"You don’t yet understand what’s unfolding," Killian said, entering the office fully. "You’re reacting emotionally."

"I’m reacting like a sane person!" I retorted.

"No, you aren't," he said simply. The silence that followed was suffocating.

"Oh my God, you're trying to gaslight me after destroying my reputation!"

Kade shot Killian a look of sharp irritation, as if to say, *what is wrong with you? I could agree wholeheartedly; Killian was infuriating me with every word. Thankfully, he seemed to gain some self-awareness, as he crossed his arms and stared at the floor. Good, because I was ready to throw hands.

"Mia," Kade murmured, his tone softening. "This is… a lot. I know that."

"You think?" I whispered harshly, my eyes cataloging his face. From a distance, the twins looked identical, as if they were the same man merely changing outfits. But after spending time with them, I noticed their distinct differences the curve of their eyebrows, the shape of their lips, and the variance in their temperaments.

"I won't justify what happened today," he continued. "But I will say this: none of it changes what I want."

Killian’s jaw tightened, accompanied by a low, sharp grunt. Kade blatantly ignored him.

"I want to take you out," Kade stated.

Just like that. No hidden subtext, no pressure, no flirting. He was bluntly, honestly direct. My breath hitched in my lungs. This was the moment I’d wanted since I was nineteen meeting my protector again and giving myself to him. It was meant to be a joyous occasion, but Killian’s presence tainted the air.

I opened my mouth to speak, my answer poised on the tip of my tongue, but then:

"I'm telling you, she’s not going anywhere with you. She’s mine."

Killian’s voice sliced through the moment like a blade. I regretted ever meeting him.

Kade’s expression hardened. "You don’t get to decide that."

"I do," Killian said, finally meeting his brother's gaze with cold, sharp eyes. "Because you aren't seeing what this is."

"And you are?" Kade challenged.

"I am. Mia, you don’t have to struggle with it," Killian insisted, stepping up beside Kade and trying to force his way into my line of sight. "I’ll make it simple for you."

My spine went rigid.

"I don’t need you to make anything simple"

"You’re coming with me tonight."

"You ARE insane. I’m not going anywhere with anyone."

His eyes narrowed. "You walked out on me once. I let it go. I’m not letting it happen again."

"We’re adults. You don’t 'let' me do anything. I do what I want, and right now, what I want is to kick you out of my office."

"Why are you trying to be difficult, Mia?"

"Oh, I don’t know. How about you try reading the awful speculations people are having about me?" I snapped.

Kade gestured for us to remain calm. I was struck by a bizarre image: Kade as the unrelentingly patient father, and Killian and I as his bickering children. It seemed Killian brought out that petulant behavior in everyone.

"Mia. I’m not going to sugarcoat anything. I want you. And I have reason to believe… Killian wants you too," Kade started.

I didn't interrupt, though I desperately wanted to. They didn't really want me; they just wanted something the other couldn't have. I was merely the object of their immature rivalry.

"You don’t have to make a choice."

Killian looked at Kade, raising his eyebrows before smirking. That smirk never boded well. What did Kade mean by telling me I didn't have to make a choice?

"You can be with both of us, separately, of course," Kade said. "And then you can make your choice."

What?!