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He doesn’t resist as I pull him off the stool. Doesn’t say a word as I lead him through the crowd, out into the cooler night air. But the moment we reach the street, he starts to veer toward his car.

“Nope,” I say, tugging him back. “You’re in no shape to drive.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not.” I open my car door and push him gently inside. “Don’t argue.”

He drops into the passenger seat, defeated, and stares out the windshield, silent.

I turn to the security guy standing nearby and tip him heavily. “Someone will come back for this car in the morning.”

The man nods with a polite smile. I slide into the driver’s seat and start the engine.

Jack doesn’t say a word as I pull into traffic, heading for the penthouse. His head rests against the window, his jaw tight, his body radiating exhaustion and something heavier—grief, maybe. Or anger so old it’s rotted into sorrow.

He looks like a boy tonight. Lost and tired.

And somehow, despite everything, despite my own feelings, all I want to do is protect him.

JACK

When we get back to the penthouse, I don’t say a word.

I head straight for the bar.

The lights are low, the city flickering faintly through the windows, and all I want is something strong enough to shut my mind off for the night. I reach for the whiskey decanter, fingers already curled around the glass?—

But Mia steps in front of me.

Blocking me.

I blink at her, tired and not in the mood. “Move.”

“No,” she says quietly. “Alcohol isn’t the answer. It’ll drown you tonight, but you’ll still wake up in the morning with the same pain. Probably worse.”

I clench my jaw. “And what? You want me to sit in a circle with you and share my feelings?”

“Maybe,” she replies, soft but firm. “I want you to talk to me. I can be your sounding board, Jack. I want to be.”

I let out a laugh. Cold. Bitter. “You? You’ve judged me since the day we met.”

Her face flickers. “That’s not fair?—”

“It’s true,” I snap, the words coming out sharp. “You’ve always looked at me like I’m some spoiled, arrogant jerk who’s too used to getting what he wants. Don’t pretend you know me now.”

“I’m not pretending. I see you. I see you tonight,” she says, voice cracking. “And you’re hurting. I can’t walk away from that, Jack.”

I see the tears brimming in her eyes. And just like that, I break. Just another woman with a great hold over me. Great.

“All I ever did,” I whisper, “was try to get her attention.”

Mia says nothing, but she doesn’t move either. Just stands there, heart open, waiting.

“I thought if I became someone… if I was loud enough, famous enough, good enough, she’d look at me. She’d see me. I did everything, everything, with her somewhere in the back of my mind.”

I sink onto the edge of the couch, burying my face in my hands.

“All the interviews. The movies. The reckless stunts. I thought if I made enough noise, she’d come back. Like I could shout my existence loud enough to matter to her.” I look up. My voice shakes. “But she already knew. She knew who I was. And she stayed away anyway.”