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She let out a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself, but everything was rioting inside her.

She didn’t know which part of tonight she was upset about. Was it the kiss? Or the passionate act before?

Either way, the betrayal of her husband was now complete.

“You betrayed me first,” she whispered into the air. She anchored herself by clutching the basin and staring into the wall. But she didn’t see the wall, she saw Greyson’s face staring back at her.

I did it out of love!

She could hear Greyson’s voice as if he was standing right next to her. Or even closer. Inside her mind.

“And I am doing it out of pain. You left me here, all alone. What am I supposed to do?”

Not fall into bed with another man.

“You fell into bed with other women while I was still alive. I was still your wife. And you made a child together! I could never have done that. The way I loved you… I still feel guilt, but you… you didn’t. You spent your nights with her, then came home with a smile on your face and told me you loved me. I have nothing to feel guilty about!”

I did it out of love! Greyson’s often spoken words repeated in her mind, While you were the only one I loved.

And that was the issue that sent Helen over the edge.

Because her husband might have betrayed her physically. But emotionally, she was the only one he loved. And yet a few passionate nights with Ian, a few heartfelt conversations, one kiss… That was all it took.

She was falling for Ian, head over heels. And as difficult as it was for her to admit that to herself, it was even more difficult to deny it.

Ian was the man Helen had wished Greyson was. The one who put her pleasure and her comfort first. The one who stood by her when she was ill, demanding nothing. The one who made her reevaluate what love truly was.

There was a knock at the door, and Ian poked his head inside. “Did you say something?”

Helen shook her head. “I was just… I was talking to myself.”

He frowned and stepped closer to her, squinting at her in the dark room. He reached out his hand and wiped the tears away from her cheek with his knuckles. “If I did something to make you upset—”

Helen shook her head. She sniffed, another tear falling down her cheek. “It wasn’t you.”

“Helen…” he started, his voice hoarse, his features serious. He was so in tune with her feelings, sometimes Helen feared he could read her mind.

It was a frightening thought. Because as confused as she felt, somehow, at the same time, everything became clear for the first time.

She’d fallen in love with this man.

But she needed time to figure out what that meant, and whether it was even a good thing.

So she leaned in and pressed her lips against his.

He didn’t respond. He stood as still as a statue, every muscle tense in his body.

“Won’t you kiss me back?” Helen murmured against his lips.

He smiled slowly, a wicked glint in his eyes. He didn’t say anything, but his gaze spoke volumes. You’ll beg me to kiss you.

Helen smiled in answer. “Please.” The word was a bare whisper.

But Ian had heard her, because his smile widened. “With pleasure.”

He lowered his mouth and kissed her gently, one hand on her cheek, another cradling the back of her head. His lips moved over hers and then a tender slip of his tongue slid against the seam of her mouth. Helen let out a sigh, and he took full advantage, sweeping his tongue inside, tickling, exciting, and soothing her at the same time.

Helen touched his tongue with hers, her arms weaving around his neck and drawing him close. They stood like that, their bodies touching from lips to toe, their heat weaving into one, his taste, his scent invading her being.