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“Several over such a short career is a joke,” Ellie muttered. “Major fuckups, not people just looking for money. All settled quietly, but her insurance premium would have been a huge red flag and knocked her out of ASH. I don’t even know how she afforded it.”

“Her family has money. Her brother spoiled her—fucking git used to treat me like trash because his princess sister was too good for me.”

She blinked at me for several moments before throwing her head back and laughing. “So the whole family is delusional. That’s awesome.” She shook her head and focused back on her food. “Fucking people. Seriously just makes me want to stop trying.”

I couldn’t agree more. It was honestly hard to keep going sometimes with all the bullshit and… People sucked.

“Well, we’re just full of sunshine and glitter,” I joked after a few minutes of quiet eating where we both wallowed in darkness. I might have said more, but my phone rang from a number I didn’t know.

One from England.

“This is Ha-joon Clark,” I answered, worried who would have called me at this time. Was something wrong with my family? Were they giving me a heads-up someone was going to try and attack them?

No.

Not even close.

It was Mandy’s older brother calling from a different number than he used to have and that one I’d long since blocked.

After a couple of minutes, Ellie lost patience and grabbed the phone away from me. “Listen here, you sorry sack of shit, your nutfuck sister killed two people because she was a shit doctor, and instead of admitting that and switching fields, she was selfish. She’s an entitled princess who has never faced consequences for her actions and I see you’re part of the problem.”

“Who is this? Do you know who I am?” he demanded.

“You’re the murderer’s brother,” Ellie chuckled darkly. “I’m the woman who set the trap for yourcriminalsister after she tried to get me tossed out when she couldn’t force me to give her a position. If you call my lover again to harass him instead of accepting reality, I will come for you next.”

I watched as she hung up the call and blocked him before tossing my phone onto the table. “Feel better?”

“Yes, but I sort of want to smack you for not doing the same,” she grumbled.

“I was shocked. Some of what he said…”

“Yes, Mandy was clearly lying to her family that you were back together or whatever. Seriously, your parents need to give them a swift kick in the ass.” She had her phone in her hand before I could stop her.

Not that I would ever be stupid enough to stop her. She was on a mission.

“It could be cathartic,” she defended after sending whatever message she did that I was sure went to my mum. “Someone they can take their anger and frustration out on and do their job of protecting you for once.”

I stared at her for a full minute, shocked but not surprised that she did that—all of it. Shielded me like no one ever had. Any other relationship I’d ever had—I was the shield. I was the one who did things like she’d just done.

It was never even or a team like this.

“I love you, Ellie Reed,” I stated firmly, my heart full of everything good for her and seeing my future in front of me.

She flinched like she wasn’t ready for me to speak in the silence… Or maybe she’d been bracing to get yelled at. Either way, she blinked at her plate and glanced up at me with wide eyes.

But something beyond magical happened. Ellie Reed gave me that soft smile I’d only ever seen her give me and kids. “Me too. You.”

My breath caught in my chest. It wasn’t saying it back, but really it was. It was what she was capable of right then, and while I shouldn’t have pushed her when she cleared her throat and focused back on her food… I had to. “Yeah?”

“Have I ever lied to you?” she asked and cleared her throat yet again. Then she snorted. “It would be more amazing if I didn’t and could hold out against your charm. You’re like the gold standard of partners. You make Prince Charming look like adamn slouch.” She cleared her throatyet againand then winked at me. “I have good taste. I’m not an idiot.”

“No,” I chuckled. “No one could accuse you of that without any real brain.” I threw back my head and laughed before I was around the table and picking her up.

“Way to keep your cool, goof,” she mumbled even as she hugged me back. “You’re not mad?”

“I’m thrilled, my sweet kimchi,” I assured her quietly, running my nose along her cheek. “You say it however you’re comfortable. Ifeelit.” I gave her a smacking kiss before setting her back on her chair. “Does this mean I get to tattoo that you’re mine on your lush arse?”

She blinked at me for several beats. “You are so much fucking work. Really, you are.”