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“Thalia,” I say to my sister-in-law, forcing my voice back under control. “Did something happen?”

She wouldn’t call this many times, especially this late, if everything were fine.

“Zayn, I won’t keep you long,” she says as her face appears on the screen.

When Selene sees her, recognition flashes into her eyes.

She remembers seeing Thalia in my hotel room the previous night. Immediately, she starts struggling to get free.

The more she fights, the tighter I hold her, refusing to let her slip away. I turn the phone to keep Selene out of view.

“I found an incredible venue for the new chain’s opening event,” Thalia says, stepping out of the frame again. “But I need to book it right away if you like it too. I emailed you about half an hour ago, and I need an answer as soon as possible.”

I’d forgotten how relentlessly dedicated Thalia is when it comes to work.

To everything, really.

It doesn’t surprise me in the slightest that she’s still working at this hour.

“Zayn, for fuck’s sake, answer her already,” Ethan suddenly says, taking the phone in his hand. “I’d like to spend some time with my wife without her worrying because she can’t get hold of you.”

The call ends immediately after. I lock the phone and stare silently at the dark screen.

Because the instant Ethan appeared, I felt Selene go perfectly still in my arms.

“She… she’s Ethan’s wife,” she whispers, more to herself than to me. “The woman from last night is Ethan’s wife.”

Bingo.

I draw a long breath, sliding my phone back into my pocket, and finally let her go.

Crossing the room, I sit on the edge of the bed and drag both hands down my face.

I came here tonight intending to clean up the chaos created by the night she wanted us to forget.

And that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

TWENTY-TWO

Selene

“I’m exhausted by this whole situation between us, Selene,” Zayn says, his voice heavy with frustration. “I came here to suggest we end this because you occupy my mind constantly, and I can’t focus on anything else.”

“You can focus on whoever you want just fine, Zayn,” I shoot back.

With an exasperated sigh, he tips his head back, then looks at me.

“She’s my sister-in-law, for fuck’s sake.”

“She is. But the others definitely aren’t.”

“What others?” he snaps, throwing his hands into the air.

Seriously?

Of course he asks that. He has no idea I was at that gala and watched him leave with a woman. Maybe he also thinks I never saw the articles about the races or the photos of the women he walked away with afterward.

But I know.