JAKE POV

I ran my fingers through my hair, tugging at the strands in frustration.

“I didn’t think it through… because Vanessa always forgave me for everything,” I admitted quietly.

The words tasted bitter.

“Whether I forgot our anniversary… or didn’t show up to her important events…”

For the first time—

Shame settled heavily in my chest.

Because now…

I was starting to realize something I never wanted to admit.

Kay was a better man than I had ever been.

A quiet, bitter laugh broke the silence.

I looked up.

Emily.

But she wasn’t laughing at Vanessa.

She was laughing at me.

And there was regret in it.

“Are you planning to do the same to me, Jake?” she asked.

I froze.

Because I didn’t know how to answer.

I usually forgot things that didn’t revolve around me.

Or didn’t benefit me.

That was just… who I was.

“No… I mean—sometimes I forget things when I’m overwhelmed,” I said smoothly.

A lie.

One that came too easily.

Emily’s eyes locked onto mine, sharp and knowing, like she could see right through me.

For a moment—

I actually felt ashamed.

“Fine,” she said after a pause. “I’ll try not to overwhelm you.”

Relief washed over me.

She bought it.

Of course she did.

“Jake…” she continued, her tone shifting slightly. “If Vanessa gets her memory back… are you planning to stay with her, or finally break the engagement and be with me?”

I stayed silent.

Because the truth wasn’t something she would like.

Being with Vanessa meant money.

Status.

Attention.

Breaking that… just to publicly be with Emily?

That wouldn’t end well.

“For you… of course,” I said, my voice steady.

Another lie.

“But first, I need to figure out Kay. Whether he actually feels something for Vanessa… and I need to know if Vanessa remembers anything about the accident.”

I needed the truth.

So I could prepare.

So I could control what happens next.

“Hasn’t Kay already given you enough hints?” Emily said, tilting her head. “If you really think about it… he’s been protective over Vanessa ever since he brought her here.”

I frowned slightly.

“I thought he was just playing his role,” I muttered.

Emily stared at me.

Then shook her head.

“Then you’re stupid, Jake,” she said bluntly. “No one can fake that kind of affection.”

Her words hit harder than I expected.

“At the end of the day…” she continued, a small laugh slipping past her lips, “maybe you’re the one who got manipulated.”

My eyes darkened instantly.

“I’m not being manipulated by Kay,” I said firmly. “He’s not that kind of person.”

And I believed that.

Or at least—

I wanted to.

Emily didn’t look convinced.

“He might not be,” she said slowly. “But if he wanted Vanessa from the start… then yes. He manipulated you.”

Silence fell again.

And this time—

It felt heavier.

“…Maybe you’re right,” I admitted quietly.

The thought lingered in my mind, unsettling.

Did I even know Kay anymore?

He never talked about personal things.

Never showed too much.

Was it possible…?

Had he wanted Vanessa all along?

I needed answers.

Tonight.

Suddenly—

The sound of the gate opening cut through the silence.

A car pulling in.

I stiffened.

“They’re back…” I murmured.

Mostly to myself.

The front door opened.

And then—

I saw them.

Kay walked in.

Vanessa beside him.

Her hand still in his.

She was smiling.

At him.

A soft, genuine smile.

One I had never seen directed at me.

Something in my chest tightened—

But then my gaze dropped to her lips.

Swollen.

My jaw clenched.

No.

No way.

My eyes flicked lower.

And there it was.

A faint mark on her neck.

A hickey.

Something snapped inside me.

Vanessa had never let me touch her there.

Never.

That had always been off-limits.

And yet—

Kay—

I clenched my fists.

Hard.

I wanted to punch something.

Anything.

“Vanessa, you look much better,” Emily said quickly, cutting through my thoughts before I could say something that would give me away. “Seems like Jake is taking good care of you.”

Her fake smile didn’t go unnoticed.

I watched Vanessa carefully.

Her body was relaxed.

Completely.

No tension.

Not like before.

Not like when she was around me.

Had they—

No.

My jaw tightened again.

“Yes… he’s amazing, Emily,” Vanessa said softly.

Her voice was still fragile.

But there was something else there now.

Something lighter.

Something real.

“Jake,” I said suddenly, my tone controlled but tight. “Can we talk?”

Kay’s eyes flicked to me.

For a second—

He hesitated.

Then he looked at Vanessa.

“Are you okay being alone for a while?” he asked her gently.

She nodded, smiling.

“She’ll be fine for five minutes,” I said quickly, standing up. “Emily will stay with her.”

Kay’s gaze hardened slightly.

He walked Vanessa to the couch—

But not beside Emily.

Far from her.

Then he turned, his voice cold.

“Do not cross this line, Emily,” he said. “Or there will be consequences.”

I stared at him.

Surprised.

Emily rolled her eyes—

But nodded.

“Let’s go, Kay,” I said.

We walked into the kitchen.

I closed the door behind us.

Now—

Finally—

I could drop the act.

“Kay,” I said sharply, my voice low and tense. “What the hell did you do with Vanessa?”

He leaned casually against the counter.

A smirk playing on his lips.

He looked amused.

Like this was entertaining for him.

“Nothing,” he said calmly. “I just made her happy. That’s all, Jake.”

I glared at him.

“And how exactly did you make her happy?” I snapped. “By having sex with her in the car—or wherever you felt like it?”

The words came out harsher than I intended.

But I didn’t care.

“And how do you know that?” he asked, still smirking.

He knew.

Of course he did.

“Her lips are swollen,” I said through clenched teeth. “And there’s a mark on her neck, Kay. Are you really going to stand there and act innocent?”

My voice dropped.

Dark.

“I can’t believe you’d take advantage of her like that.”

The smirk disappeared.

But his gaze didn’t soften.

“Taking advantage?” he repeated slowly.

His voice turned colder.

“That’s your specialty. Not mine.”

The words hit.

Hard.

“Vanessa gave me her consent,” he continued. “And what happened between us is none of your business.”

I exhaled sharply, frustration building.

“Is that all?” he asked.

“Yes,” I muttered.

For now.

He didn’t wait for anything else.

He just walked out.

Back into the living room.

I followed.

Emily stayed exactly where she was.

For once—

She actually listened.

Kay stepped toward Vanessa.

“We’re going back to our room,” he said calmly. “If you need anything, it can wait until tomorrow.”

Then—

Without hesitation—

He lifted her into his arms.

Like it was natural.

Like it was nothing.

Vanessa wrapped her arms around his neck instinctively.

Comfortably.

Too comfortably.

And as he carried her toward the stairs—

He leaned closer.

Whispered something into her ear.

Her cheeks flushed instantly.

And something inside me twisted—

Because I knew.

Whatever was happening between them…

Was no longer just an act.