Page 125 of The Chaos She Brings

Then comes the longest Uber ride of my life.

London traffic is a nightmare, and I spendwaytoo much time oversharing with my driver. She gets the whole rundown on Kai. Well… most of it. Probably best not to casually mention the body disposal.

By the time we pull up outside Kai’s house, she’s fully invested in my love life.

“Good luck, girl,” she says, waving me off like I’m about to storm the beaches of Normandy.

Dragging my suitcase up the stone driveway, I suddenly realise howinsanely loudit sounds. Like a war drum announcing my questionable life choices.

I hesitate at the door.

You need to show up for him.

Carina’s words replay in my mind, so I square my shoulders, knock, and shift restlessly on my feet as I wait.

Then the door swings open, and boom—oxygen? Never heard of her.

Kai stands there, looking unfairly attractive in those grey joggers I love, and a white T-shirt that clings to every muscle like it was personally sewn onto his body. His tattoo is peeking out from the sleeve, a reminder of the pain he’s suffered.

His face, however? Completely unreadable.

Lips pressed into a line. Eyes betrayingzeroemotion.

Oh God. Is he happy to see me?

Annoyed?

About to call the police?

“What are you doing here?” he asks, voice rough, but there’s a slight tremor to it.

“I’m not letting you push me away,” I declare, breezing past him like I absolutely belong here and wheeling my suitcase inside.

Kai blinks. Processing. “Uhh…?”

Leaving my case in the hall, I start roaming, taking in the house. “It’s different. Less… clinical?”

I yank open a kitchen cupboard, immediately horrified by the absolute chaos inside. “Oh my God, how have you not lost your mind?”

Kai is still staring at me, following my every move like I’m a wild animal he’s too afraid to provoke. Which is fair.

I march into the living room, collapse onto the sofa, and sigh like I’ve just moved in. Because, well… I kind of have.

“Hurricane, you’re kind of scaring me,” Kai mutters, still standing there, eyes wary.

I wave a hand dismissively. “Like I said. You’re not pushing me away.”

“I wasn’t—”

“You were.” I cut him off. “And I get it. But it’s not happening. I shouldn’t have left. I fucked up. I’m sorry. But I’m not going anywhere now.”

Arms crossed. Chin lifted. Unshakeable confidence—fake it ‘til you make it, baby.

Kai stares at me for a beat, then laughs—his whole face lighting up. “So, you decided to just… what? Move in?”

I frown. Okay. Fair point.

…But also, we’re doubling down now.