Kyle Grant ignored Jessica Grant's pointed hints.

Jessica stomped her foot in frustration.

As soon as Ethan Sullivan's group left, she grabbed Kyle's arm and dragged him into an empty room next door.

The door slammed shut.

"You're being ridiculous!" she hissed. "Sophia's about to remarry him!"

Kyle leaned against the wall, his expression detached. "Not my concern."

"You're in love with her!"

"Since when does love require possession?" His lips twisted slightly. "Her happiness is enough."

Jessica punched the wall. "She was supposed to be yours! If not for that damned NDA—"

"She belongs to no one." Kyle cut her off and turned to leave.

Jessica blocked the door. "Fight for her! Or will you wait until you're old and full of regrets?"

His Adam's apple bobbed. "She and her ex—"

"If they were so perfect, why divorce?" Jessica scoffed. "You're just scared."

Something dark flashed in Kyle's eyes before he pushed past her.

He headed straight for the bar and downed three whiskeys in quick succession.

The alcohol burned his throat but couldn't extinguish the bitterness in his chest.

In the restroom, icy water streamed over Kyle's face as he studied his dripping reflection.

How often had he wanted to confess?

But speaking the truth might cost him even the privilege of watching her from afar.

As for that secret...

He scrubbed his face roughly.

Some skeletons belonged in the grave.

The door creaked open.

Ethan entered, their gazes locking in the mirror.

The air turned to stone.

Ethan offered a tissue. "Here."

"Thanks." Kyle took it, continuing to dry his face.

As Ethan moved to wash his hands, he froze.

His stare drilled into the reflection—those obsidian eyes, thick lashes, even the identical curve of the under-eye crease.

Sophia's voice echoed in his memory: "The first time I saw you, your eyes made my heart ache..."

Ice flooded Ethan's veins.

Those tender gazes had never been meant for him.

He cranked the faucet, but the cold water couldn't douse the fury erupting in his chest.

"Damn it!"

Ethan deliberately shouldered past Kyle and stormed out without looking back.

In a shadowy corner of the ballroom, Ethan drowned himself in tequila until the world blurred.

"Ethan?" Sophia's worried voice cut through the haze.

He looked up, his bloodshot eyes startling her.

"You've had too much." She reached to steady him.

"Not drunk." Each word slurred through clenched teeth.

Kyle materialized behind them. "Let me help."

"Get lost!" Ethan thrashed but couldn't fight the alcohol's grip.

The trio staggered toward the exit where bodyguards rushed to assist.

Before entering the car, Ethan suddenly turned. "I hate you."

The night wind carried Kyle's flat reply: "The feeling's mutual."