“Of course,” he agrees quickly. “No pressure. Just... an option.”
I lean against him, my head finding that perfect spot on his shoulder. “Thank you for being there today. For stopping him.”
“Always,” he says, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
As the sun begins to set outside his windows, casting long shadows across the room, I close my eyes and let myself imagine a future where I don’t have to run anymore—not from Mark, not from my failed marriage, not from myself—a future where, maybe, Kane is more than just a temporary safe harbor.
It’s terrifying. It’s exhilarating. It’s possibly the most reckless thing I’ve ever considered.
But then, getting on that plane to Ireland was reckless, too, and look where it’s led me.
I lean back and look up at Kane. “I should call my sister. She needs to know what’s happening.”
Chapter 36
Kori
I stare at my phone for a long moment, Kane’s eyes on me.
“Are you sure?” he asks gently. “After everything she did...”
“I don’t know what she did anymore,” I admit. “Mark was at Wavecrest before he came here. What if he’s been manipulating both of us?”
Kane nods slowly, then moves to the ornate fireplace across the room. “Make the call. I’ll give you some privacy.”
As he arranges kindling and logs, I pull up Lana’s number. My thumb hovers over it, trembling slightly. This woman—my sister, my best friend growing up—has become a stranger to me. The thought of hearing her voice makes my stomach clench.
But I need answers.
I press call before I can change my mind. The phone rings once, twice, three times. I’m about tohang up when she answers.
“Kori?” Her voice is small, uncertain.
“Hi,” I say stiffly, watching Kane light the fire. Flames catch quickly, casting dancing shadows across the room.
“Oh my god, I can’t believe you called.” She sounds like she’s been crying. “I’ve been trying to reach you for days.”
“I’ve been busy.” The coldness in my voice surprises even me.
“I know. I know you hate me. You should hate me.” Her words tumble out in a rush. “But Kori, I need to tell you—”
“That you slept with my husband?” I interrupt, anger flaring hot and sudden. “I saw the pictures, Lana.”
The fire crackles as Kane adds another log, careful to keep his back to me, giving me space.
“It wasn’t what you think,” she whispers. “Mark, he—” Her voice breaks, and I hear a muffled sob.
Despite everything, the sound twists something in my chest. I’ve never been able to bear hearing Lana cry, not since we were kids.
“Lana,” I say, softer now. “Just tell me the truth. Please.”
What comes next is worse than anything I imagined. Between sobs, Lana tells me how itstarted—Mark cornering her at a company party, making suggestive comments. How she laughed it off at first, thinking it was just drunk talk. Then came the explicit texts, which she ignored. The “accidental” touches whenever I wasn’t looking—the escalation.
“He said he’d have me fired,” she chokes out. “Said he’d make sure I never worked in marketing again. That he’d tell you I came on to him, that I’d been obsessed with him for years.”
I close my eyes, nausea rising in my throat. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was ashamed. Scared. I didn’t think you’d believe me over him.” Her voice drops even lower. “And then he threatened to release photos of me from college. Those stupid drunk pictures from spring break. Said he’d send them to my boss.”
