All Chapters of His To Own: Chapter 41 - Chapter 49

“What do you want?” I snapped.Well, there goes my good mood.“That’s no way to speak to me, darling. We haven’t talked in, what… Two weeks?” His low voice almost sounded hurt. Almost.“Clearly, you have a reason for calling me,” I said, walking out of my room toward the kitchen.No way I was having this conversation on an empty stomach.“Yes… I miss you.”I paused, one hand gripping the stair railing.“Don’t you miss me?”“No, I don’t. And why would I?” I said, regaining my composure and stepping into the kitchen.“That hurts my feelings. You know that, right?”“Good thing I don’t care about your feelings.” I put the phone on speaker and set it on the counter.Opening the fridge, I muttered, “What can I eat today?”“And here I was, thinking you’d be eager to talk to me, given your meeting with Liam’s lawyer.”I turned to glare at the phone like it was his face, then went back to scanning the fridge.“You’re right,” I said flatly. “I did have something to say to you, but I didn’t have

KANE’S POVI woke up to sunlight spilling through the curtains, the kind of warm, golden light that makes you want to stay in bed just a little longer. My head felt clearer, the heaviness from yesterday almost gone.For a moment, I stared at the ceiling before turning my gaze around the room. Their room. Hers and Liam’s. Or should I say Anya’s room now.I’ll be honest — I was surprised she’d let me sleep here. I thought she’d dump me on the couch without a second thought. The bed and the whole room smelled like her — soft, warm, familiar. I’d sound like a creep if I said it out loud, but this was the best sleep I’d had in months. The thought pulled a small smile to my lips.Swinging my legs over the edge, I stretched my neck and made my way downstairs.That’s when I saw her.Anya was curled up on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, her breathing slow and even. Strands of hair had fallen over her face, lips slightly parted. I stood there, hands in my pockets, just… watching like the creep

ANYA'S POVI had just finished wiping down the last counter, the sharp-sweet scent of the new candles drifting through the air. The weekend couldn’t come soon enough. Since Liam’s death, I’d told Rose to take a break, so the house had been entirely in my hands, every surface polished, every dish prepared, every corner waiting for Tara’s arrival.She’d called me yesterday, saying she would be flying in from Boston early in the morning and would be staying over for two days before leaving. And I’d gone all out, carefully preparing her favorite dishes, pouring my heart into each one and silently praying she’d love them. But little worries eat at me. Would Tara like the flowers I’d picked up this morning? Was the living room arranged just right, or should I move the long white couch closer to the floor-to-ceiling window so she could enjoy the view of the flower beds outside? And what about the candles—would the vanilla and jasmine scent feel welcoming, or overwhelming?The doorbell rang,

I stumbled down the stairs, clutching my towel. My head was spinning, and I wasn’t sure if it was from standing up too fast or from the wine. Muttering a curse under my breath at whoever dared disturb me, I reached the door and yanked it open.And froze.Kane stood there in all black. His shirt hung open at the top, three buttons undone. Sleeves rolled up, arms crossed, his whole body screamed calm danger. His face was unreadable, and for a moment I blinked, wondering if I was drunk enough to be seeing things.“Well, if it isn’t his majesty,” I slurred, leaning against the doorframe. “What are you doing here? I thought you were busy.”“What are you doing?” His voice was sharp. “I’ve been at your door for a while. And why are you…” He stopped. His eyes moved down my body and back up again, slow and heavy, like he was peeling me apart layer by layer.When his gaze finally met mine, he frowned. Without another word, he pushed me back gently and stepped inside, shutting the door behind hi

ANYA’S POVI was fucking sober now.The wine had burned out of my system, leaving behind a dull ache behind my eyes and a tightness in my chest that had nothing to do with alcohol. The kind of tightness that showed up when the truth was sitting in the room and refused to leave.Kane’s question still lingers between us.“Why did you break up with me back in high school?”I didn't answer immediately.The night presses against the glass windows behind him, city lights fractured into thin reflections. I focused on that instead of his face. My hands clasped in my lap, fingers woven so tightly that my knuckles turned pale.He waits.I inhale slowly. The air feels heavier than it should.“My mom got sick.” I finally saidThere it is. Out in the open.Something shifts in him instantly, it wasn't dramatic, just a tightening of his shoulders. A stillness.“Sick how?”“Really sick and we didn’t know why” I replied. My voice sounds steady. I don’t know how. “It happened fast. One minute she was j