in held high, even though her insides churned with unease. The rumors still clung

her tasks. She owed that much to hersel

reached her d

rby, as if waiting. His dark hair, his confident smirk, the familiar g

ha

throat. For a heartbeat,

savoring her shock. "Aira," he said, voic

walked out, abandoning her and their son. She had dreamed of this moment a hundre

ispered, clutching her files tightly to h

o consult on a few expansion projects. Imagine my surprise wh

d. Jason. Of cours

cing her voice steady. "

t here to cause trouble." His gaze softened only slightly as he leaned clo

ries? He called them memor

Jason's voice echoed do

uit crisp, eyes sharp-but when they landed on Et

a firm clap on the back. "Didn

, didn't you? I couldn't

o Aira-her pale face, her rigid stance. His expr

each other?" Ja

he opened her mouth, but E

, a knowing smile tugging h

e gestured toward his office. "Let's catch up before t

ded stiffly and hurried away, though her

r across from his brother's desk, studying the panor

s desk, arms folded. "Don't flatter

d. "You know

ra reacted-her sharp intake of breath, the way

n said carefully. "W

rdened almost imperceptibly. "Just his

long moment, but final

n without seeing it. Her pulse thundered in her ear

e truth about Liro would come out. The careful

buzzed.

m E

onight. Don't make

stomach

e she could leave. The warm glow of the city lights

than," he s

ned. "We... cros

nd. "Crossed paths? Aira, I know when some

ruth perched on the edge of her tongue, des

hispered, "It'

ing her. "Then uncomplicate it. I don't ca

ed. If only it

one buzzed again. Ethan. She qui

darkened. "

she lied

nife. He didn't call her out, but

m Ethan in a dim café, her hands clen

t?" she demanded

with unsettling calm. "I just

. "Stay away from

his smirk curling. "S

dying on her lips. Ethan's s

" he murmured. "Jason

head, tears bu

carried a dangerous edge. "Because if Jason finds out, everything yo

p were collapsing. And the one person she had hoped ne