“Seems you decided to hijack her car and throw yourself a party at Gravity,” he says, practically spitting out the word like it tastes foul.
Can’t say I blame him.
But I do blame him—for that kiss he shared with Gabriel.
He takes a sip from his glass—is that wine?
I glance at the clock.
A pot of coffee steams quietly on the counter beside me. The aroma curls around the kitchen, warm and familiar. Not quite Café Bonito with its smooth chocolate undertones but still comforting in its own way.
I’ll have to bring some for Teya next time.
Assuming there ever is a next time.
I swallow thickly and look back at Elijah.
“You were passed out in the back alleyway,” he says—like I need a fucking reminder.
I smack my lips together, praying to God they’re not glittery like Noah’s.
Oh god.
I’m gonna puke.
Elijah’s already moving, springing to his feet just as my knees buckle.
I hit the floor hard, landing in a puddle of water. My stomach convulses. Dry heaves tear through me. My chest tightens. My throat burns.
“Damn it!” I rasp, gasping, drooling, humiliated.
He doesn’t flinch, just wraps his arms around me and rubs circles on my back. Over and over. Two full minutes pass by, maybe more, until the spasms finally let go, and I can breathe again.
With trembling legs, I let him help me up. Using my wrist, I wipe my mouth again and spit on the floor.
“He kissed you. He was supposed to be in Spain, Elijah!Spain!You lied to me!”
Elijah grips my shoulders firmly. “It wasn’t like that, Alex.” His voice is calm, but insistent. “You’ve got it all wrong. Okay.Yes, he was at my apartment. And yeah, I didn’t tell you. But only because”—he hesitates—“I wanted to surprise you.”
I snort, too pissed to form words.
Then Elijah reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a folded sheet of paper. I catch a glimpse of an official seal stamped in the top corner.
I snatch it from his hand.
“My divorce papers, baby,” he says quickly, cupping my bruised face in his palms. His voice shakes just enough to crack my anger.
“It’s why Gabriel was here. He flew back to finalize our divorce.”
He searches my eyes, pleading.
“What you saw… that kiss… it was him saying goodbye, Alex. I swear.”
His gaze doesn’t waver, like he needs me to believe him.
“I’m all yours now, my love.”
I clutch his arms, dizzy with the weight of his words. All the pain I put myself through. The ache. The rage. The reckless mistake I made with Noah—just to get that image of them out of my head. And here he is. Holding me. Telling me I was wrong. Telling me he’s mine.
