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“No.” She tightened her grip on my hair, yanking my head back once more. “I don’t want to ever see her in your life. I want her gone. Now.”

“Of course, I’ll take that million-dollar offer.” I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the sharp sting on my scalp. “I don’t even like Kai that much.”

“That hurts,” Kai muttered, playing along with my game like he could read my mind.

“You think I’m stupid?” she snapped, “What made you change your mind so quickly?”

She struck me on the head with the back of the nail file. The impact rattled through my skull, but I didn’t dare react. I thought about running, but the moment I even considered it, she pressed the file against my throat again.

“Do you know how long I’ve known Kai?” I asked carefully.

“Yes. What are you getting at?”

“I had a crush on him when I was eighteen.”

“He was a dreamboat back then…” she mused, her laugh softer this time, almost nostalgic.

“Yes. Perfect. Still is. But, you know, we American girls prefer American boys.” I wasn’t sure if this was the best angle, but playing the American card might be my only way out with a racist like her. “Falling for Kai wasn’t an option, so I did what I knew best.”

“And what is that?”

“Fucked him out of my system.”

She let out a sharp, hysterical laugh, throwing her head back.

“See, I was right. She’s a whore.”

“I didn’t want to admit it, but yes, you’re right.” The words stung, even though I didn’t mean what I was saying. I could only pray my subconscious didn’t start believing them.

“Look, baby,” she turned to Kai. “I’m the only person in this world who truly cares about you. All these women… they come and go.”

“Can I go now?” I asked, testing my luck. Her grip on my hair had relaxed, and the madness in her laughter had faded slightly.

“Not yet.”

“I promise I won’t see him again.” I could tell she was close to letting me go. She just needed a little more convincing. “I’m actually married, you know? To someone really powerful. In Hong Kong.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Oh? Is that true?”

“Yes, Dannie Wu. Have you heard of him?” Wendy, bless her, jumped in. “Triad. Boss of a triad.”

Mrs. Li scoffed. “No way. This little mouse? What did he see in her?”

I couldn’t help but feel a little offended. Okay, more offended than I already was. I took a deep breath and said, “he’s a very angry man. If he finds out what happened here… he’ll want some sort of payback.”

“Bullshit.”

“No, no bullshit.” Wendy pulled out her phone, and suddenly, Dannie’s voice rang out over the speaker.

Fuck.

This was getting out of hand.

“Hey Dannie,” Wendy said, her voice calm. “We’re in a bit of a situation here. Can you tell Kai’s mother that June is your wife?”

“What’s going on?” Dannie’s voice was sharp. “Put me on video.”

“No—” I started, but it was too late. His face appeared on the screen.

“Dannie,” I whispered.

“June.”

A brief pause. Then his voice turned cold.

“Let her go, Auntie Yan. Or you’ll be burying your son tomorrow.”

Mrs. Li let out a short chuckle. “Oh, it’s you, Dannie boy. Long time no see.”

The ache in my scalp disappeared as she finally released her grip on my hair. My stomach lurched, but I remained still.

Everyone in the room exchanged nervous glances, but no one moved. No one dared to act.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?

“What do you want, Auntie Yan?” Dannie’s voice was casual, but there was steel beneath it. “I can give you anything. You know I can. You just need to let my wife go.”

“How could you, Dannie?” she scoffed. “How could you let your wife seduce my son like that? I know men like you sleep around, but how could you let your woman do the same? Aren’t you embarrassed?”

Dannie let out a deep, amused chuckle. “Don’t be ridiculous, Auntie. We live in a modern world. If I get to sleep around, she should be allowed to do the same. That’s the secret to a happy marriage. Equal rights and all, remember?”

Mrs. Li’s laughter rang through the room, this time almost giddy. “Ah, I see, I see. You young people and your open marriages.”

“You get it,” Dannie agreed smoothly.

“But what do you think your parents would say if they were here?”

Dannie’s expression darkened instantly. He hated anyone bringing up his deceased parents. Mrs. Li must have known them.

“Auntie Yan,” he cut in, “let’s end this. I know this isn’t really you, and I won’t let one of your episodes harm my woman.”

Mrs. Li hesitated, but then she sighed. “But can you keep an eye on her?”

“Of course. I didn’t know she was messing with the wrong boy, that’s all.”

“Okay.” She giggled.

I could barely believe it. She was letting me go.

Though I hadn’t been able to study her face closely, her laughter, her behavior—her wild mood swings—confirmed what I already suspected. She had been like this for a while. And it didn’t seem like she was receiving any kind of treatment.

Whatever she had, it could be genetic. The same thing Jenny had. God, I hope I’m wrong.

As soon as she released me, my legs moved on their own. My head told me to keep my mouth shut, to not provoke her. But instead of walking away, I staggered toward Kai.

I threw myself at him.

Only for him to dodge to the side.

Trevon caught me before I hit the ground, saving me from further humiliation. It was probably for the best. At least I hadn’t landed flat on my face.

Next thing I knew, Kai had rushed to his mother’s side, speaking in a tone I had never heard from him before—gentle, patient, almost like a father soothing his beloved child.

Tears burned down my cheeks, hot and urgent.

Wendy appeared beside me, gripping my arm where Trevon wasn’t. Her voice was barely a whisper, cautious not to disturb the fragile calm that had settled. “We should leave now.”

I swallowed hard and nodded. “Let’s go.”

“Do you want to stay with Kai?” she asked Trevon, though I knew it was a loaded question. “I think it’s best you stay with him.”

Maybe I was overanalyzing, but Wendy had always been two steps ahead. We didn’t always agree on her methods, yet somehow, she had saved me time and time again.

“Thank you for calling Dannie.” My voice was hoarse. I had no idea when or how she got his number, or if I should feel betrayed that she had gone behind my back to befriend him.

“No problem,” she said simply.

“He asked me to look out for you.” She explained, then added, “Kai couldn’t help you, so I thought I’d try him.”

She was right.

To be fair to Kai, he had tried.

He just… failed.

And in my book, effort counted for something. But still, the realization clawed at me—the man I was falling hopelessly in love with hadn’t been able to save me.

Love wasn’t black and white.

Even when people cheated, I always tried to see the other side, to find the reason, the justification. Maybe they were actually meant to be. Like King Charles III of the United Kingdom and his one true love.

I gritted my teeth as I limped toward the exit, pressing a hand to my stomach. Blood still oozed from the wound. The vicious woman had stabbed me hard—with a blunt knife, no less.

And God, it hurt so much worse than a clean cut.

Just as I reached the door, I heard it.

Loud and clear.

“I will marry Lucy.”