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“There’s no point trying anymore,” Noah says, laughing. “We tested everything these last few days, and nothing made him snap.”

Smirking, I lift my glass and take a sip.

“Oh, I know something that would make him snap instantly,” Colt replies, a devilish glint aimed straight at me.

He doesn’t need to say it. He doesn’t need to voice the thought—I know what he’s hinting at.

“Don’t even think about it,” I warn, my expression carved from stone, my stare lethal.

He bursts out laughing, the others joining in, their understanding clear.

Leaning off the kitchen island, Colt steps toward me.

“Relax,” he says, patting my back, still grinning. “I’m not about to ruin everyone’s New Year’s Eve.”

“You’d better not try ruining any of my days, not just New Year’s Eve,” I shoot back, expression unchanging.

Two days ago, John sent him an email proposing a collaboration for the casinos project we’re developing.

What John doesn’t know is that Colt doesn’t move a finger without me or any of the guys, and we all operate the same way.

Colt hasn’t replied, but it’s obvious what he’s referencing, especially considering what happened between John and Thalia in Zanzibar—and the ensuing press mess.

“You know damn well you’re the only ones I do business with, and ever will,” Colt says suddenly serious.

But within seconds, the grin returns, smug and satisfied.

“But it’s fascinating to see just how obsessed you are with her. You—Ethan Hardy—the eternal bachelor.”

“Just fuck off,” I snap, exhausted by their attempts. “You’re not going to get under my skin,” I add, honest and unapologetic. “And you’d better accept that Thalia is my woman.”

I pause, long enough for their eyes to widen as if they can’t believe I’ve said it aloud. Then I finish, “And she’s definitely going to be mine forever.”

“What are you trying to say?” Kai asks, genuinely stunned.

“I don’t think you can throw around words like that when it comes to a woman,” Zayn says, eyeing me with a mix of curiosity and doubt.

“When have you ever seen Ethan exaggerate or say something he doesn’t mean?” Nick cuts in, turning toward me with a familiar, knowing look—the one that says he’s right here with me, living the same thing, understanding every word before I even say it.

“I didn’t choose that word lightly, Zayn,” I answer, deliberate and direct.

I want them all to hear it clearly—there’s no maybe from me anymore. Even if I said we should see where things go, I have no doubts about what exists between Thalia and me.

The night I accepted her back—especially after realizing how unfair I’d been, after seeing her cry and feeling something inside me break—I surrendered fully to the feelings that had been building since the beginning.

Because even then, it wasn’t just sex. The physical attraction was wild, yes, the same as it is now, but my mind, my eyes, my attention never wandered to another woman after the first time I had Thalia.

I noticed it early on and refused to examine the reason, knowing exactly where the truth would lead.

“I’m in love with Thalia, and I promise you she will be my wife,” I confess.

We’ve always been honest with each other, always stood by one another.

“There’s no other possible outcome. And she’ll understand soon enough that she chose her fate the moment she chose to be with me.”

“Fuck.”

“Welcome to the club.”