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“What’s he doing here? Did Konflict send you?” I snapped.

Valery started to answer, but Krash cut her off, not giving her a chance.

“You’re at Konflict’s villa. We brought you here after you nearly drowned at the Marquette party. You’re in his bedroom.”

“What? Why the hell am I at Konflict’s place? Why aren’t we at the Korven estate?” My heart slammed in my chest.

“Because you were too weak for a trip across the city. The villa is closer to the Marquette’s. It made more sense to bring you here. I’ll tell the doctor you’re awake and call Konflict.” He left the room before I could say anything else.

I scanned the room again, taking it in. So this was where he slept since leaving the Korven estate to stay away from me. And this was the same bed where he probably fucked Eleana Sawyer and God knows how many other women.

Just the thought of lying in this bed made bile rise in my throat. I wanted to get up and leave.

“I don’t want to stay here,” I said, pushing myself upright. “Valery, we’re going back to the Korven estate. And then you’re going to tell me how long you’ve been fucking one of the enemy’s men.”

She turned pale, but she moved closer, trying to keep me in bed.

“No, you’re not moving until the doctor checks you out,” she said without meeting my eyes. “And… I didn’t know how to tell you. With Krash, things just… happened. It’s not serious. Just…”

“Just getting some dick?” I threw back, deadpan.

She looked up and I saw guilt written across her face.

“I swear, I never did anything with him that could compromise you.”

I let a small smile break through to ease the tension. Valery had been by my side since I was a kid. Eight years older than me, always more of a big sister than just an assistant. As far back as I could remember, I’d never seen her with a man. I’d always wondered if she even had a life outside of taking care of me. So, as strange as it was that she ended up tangled with Konflict’s right hand, I couldn’t hold it against her. If anything, it almost reassured me to know she wouldn’t be alone once I was gone. After tomorrow, everything would be different. I was glad she had someone to share her life with when I wasn’t here anymore.

“It’s nothing. I’m happy for you. Everybody needs some good dick now and then,” I said, giving her a little smile. “And honestly, it sounded pretty heated between you two, if what I heard is anything to go by.”

“Oh God, I’m going to kill him,” she groaned, embarrassed. “But seriously, how are you feeling? You know you scared the hell out of me when Krash told me what happened? You can’t do that to me. What the hell happened? The cameras showed you by the pool and then next thing, you lost your balance and you were on the bottom.”

I squinted, trying to piece together the memory. “I don’t know. I was walking by the pool and then got hit with this crazy vertigo. Everything spun so hard I couldn’t stand up straight. Then it all went blurry. I don’t even remember how I got out of the pool.”

Realizing I had no idea who pulled me out, I turned to Valery. “Who got me out of the water?”

“Krash told me it was Konflict. He heard your screams and dove in after you. Did CPR, chest compressions, everything… you weren’t breathing. Damn, Serenity, you scared me so bad.”

Konflict pulled me out?

My heart started racing. A part of me was almost… glad he saved me, like some broken kid hoping for a hero. God, he rescued me again, just like he did nineteen years ago. And I was a damn fool for letting that mean anything, for feeling something when I knew he wasn’t the boy I remembered. He wasn’t the man I loved. I needed to get it together.

“Why?” I asked, frowning.

None of it made any sense. Why would he save me when he plans to kill me tomorrow? I couldn’t believe he’d given up on revenge. That would be insane. He hated me, hated my name. He hated being married to me so much he exiled himself to this villa just to avoid me. He never even consummated our marriage, just so it would dissolve clean. Why the hell would he jump in after me?

“Why what?” Valery asked.

“Why save me when he plans to finish me off tomorrow?”

Valery’s eyes met mine. They were sad and soft, protective like always.

“I don’t know. Maybe he changed his mind? Maybe he doesn’t want revenge anymore and saving you was his way of proving it? I don’t know, Serenity. I hope he changed his mind. You don’t deserve to die just because of your father’s name.”

“No, you’re dreaming. Konflict will never stop wanting the Veylor’s erased from this city. He’s exactly as cruel as he looks. There’s nothing deeper to it.”

She shook her head, “Then maybe it’s because you still carry his name. As long as you’re a Korven, he has a duty to protect you. Everyone knows how much Konflict values reputation and honor. He’s made it clear throughout this whole marriage, nobody tarnishes the Korven name without paying for it. It wouldn’t look good at all for the head of the family to let his wife drown. That’s not a story he’d want on his record.”

That sounded exactly like Konflict. Her theory stung, but it was too true to ignore. Everyone in this city knew Konflict Korven would fight for anyone carrying his name, up until they didn’t anymore. If he’d saved me after the dissolution, maybe I could’ve seen him in a new light. But that wasn’t the case. He was still the same bastard he’d been since day one.