POV: Chloe Stepping out of that office, I made up my mind to stop playing games with two brothers. I had to pull the plug tonight. I had to do it before I found another excuse to stall—before another pair of red-rimmed eyes, another mysterious envelope, or another heavy hand on my waist convinced me that waiting was kinder. Waiting wasn't kinder. It was just dressed-up cruelty. Ethan’s car sat at the curb at six on the dot. That was the thing about him—he was never late, never forgot, and always caught the little details. The passenger seat was pre-adjusted, the heater blasting because he knew I ran cold. A greasy bag from my favorite Thai joint sat in the back because it was Thursday, and Thursday meant Pad Thai. He was effortlessly good at the mechanics of loving someone. I slid in

