Page 39 of King of Pride

Ivan’s expression hardened.

Terrence straightened.

“So either you’re trying to fool everyone, or you’re trying to fool yourself. Because what you did last night was not normal.”

He paused for a beat before continuing.

“And then you showed up at that party after you slapped Rose.”

His jaw tightened.

“I was fucking shocked when you told me about it. But you were so drunk that I couldn’t even have a proper conversation with you, let alone knock some sense into you.”

Ivan finally lifted his gaze from the desk.

He folded his arms across his chest, his expression turning cold and defensive.

“You know nothing about my relationship with Rose. It was a small mistake. Nothing more.”

His jaw tightened.

“She broke something that was important to me, and I reacted in the heat of the moment. It’s not going to happen again. It was an honest reaction.”

Terrence stared at him for a long moment before letting out a short, incredulous laugh.

“An honest reaction?”

He shook his head.

“So let me get this straight. If your father had broken that same snow globe, would you have slapped him too?”

Ivan’s expression remained impassive.

“Would you have called that an honest reaction then?”

Terrence held his gaze.

“Or did you do it because you knew Rose was the easier person to bully?”

Ivan’s face tightened with anger.

He looked up at Terrence, who had straightened to his full height and folded his arms across his chest. A deep frown settled between his brows as he stared down at his friend.

“I’m only saying this because I’m your best friend,” Terrence said. “I don’t want you to make a mistake you’ll regret later.”

He shook his head.

“Honestly, Ivan, what are you doing? You’ve already decided to build a life with Rose. You proposed to her. You’ve been with her for a year. Both your families are involved. You’re supposed to marry her.”

Terrence paused, letting his words sink in.

“If you’re going to have a future with Rose, shouldn’t you put the past behind you?”

His expression hardened.

“You ended things with Jessica. She left you. Yet you’re still talking to her, getting involved in her life, and going out of your way to have her around. None of that looks like someone who has moved on.”

Ivan remained silent.