With younger men, she’d carried all the weight alone while shielding them from every storm that raged around them. But someone like Allan—someone forged strong enough to bear the burden, someone steady enough to lead when she couldn’t—he offered something different. With him, she could lower her armor. She wouldn’t have to fight every battle solo. She could rest against his strength and share the load.

But… Could she trust him? Could she really let Allan carry pieces of her heart?

Hearing Allan’s words sent a warm tingle through Adah, but she crushed that fleeting feeling almost immediately. A flaky guy like him was the last person she could ever trust. His interest seemed glued to her appearance alone; if her beauty ever faded, he would definitely not hesitate to discard her. Handing him a chance would be her worst mistake.

Adah jerked her hand away from Allan’s grasp, her tone turned frosty. “I appreciate the sentiment, but I don’t need your help. Thorn Rose stands with me. Whatever you could offer, Elliana is already capable of providing. My circle is strong. I have no reason to rely on anyone else.”

She cast a pointed look in Cole’s direction. “Let’s not forget, Elliana’s ties by marriage carry real influence. And if I ever found myself in a bind, I doubt Cole would just watch from the sidelines. Isn’t that right?”

Caught off guard by her mention, Cole weighed his options. Siding with his best friend would mean disputes with Elliana, who stood just a breath away. When it came down to it, he knew whose side to pick. A reputation as a wife-first husband didn’t bother him anymore; another tally in that column made little difference.

With a broad, accommodating smile, Cole answered, “Absolutely. Anything you need, just say the word.”

Elliana shot him a look of approval and then teased Adah, “Try not to say ‘ties by marriage’ next time, okay? We’re family now!”

With a grateful grin, Adah nodded to Elliana before redirecting her focus to Allan. “You hear that? There’s no place for you in my life. An ex-fiancé ought to know his boundaries. Keep your distance.”

@ ?ν

Without another word, Adah spun around and made her way to the entrance of the villa. She did not want to waste breath arguing with Allan; her thoughts were completely fixed on locating her mother.

Sensing Adah’s distress, Elliana rushed to catch up with her. Rita and Sophie exchanged glances and quickly followed.

Cole and Allan found themselves standing alone.

A look of exasperation flickered across Allan’s face. “You really don’t bother hiding it anymore, picking your wife over your friends without a second thought. How can you not be embarrassed?”

Cole remained unfazed and replied plainly, “Did you sleep with me? Did you bear my children? What reason would I have to choose you over my wife?”

For a moment, Allan had no words.

A mocking grin spread over Cole’s face as he added, “You’re a grown adult. It’s time you learned where you stand.” He offered a playful pat on Allan’s shoulder. “If, by some chance, Adah and I were both drowning and you saved her, I wouldn’t hold it against you.”

That was the final word; he’d always choose his partner, and he wouldn’t expect Allan to do any different. Cole turned and left without another word.

.

.

.