Elias’s POV
The moment I saw them kiss, rage surged through me like wildfire. I thought I could endure it, thought I could be patient and wait for Alina to come to her senses and push him away. But now—seeing that smug curl of Zayn’s lips—my blood boils.
“What’s going on here?” My voice comes out sharp, laced with anger I can’t mask.
Alina flinches. “Hmm… I—I…” Her eyes dart everywhere but to me, a shaky smile tugging at her lips. “You’re back.”
I take a step closer, eyes locked on Zayn. That stupid grin of his makes me want to smash my fist into his face, but I can’t—not here, not now. He’d play the victim, twist it into another chance to steal her sympathy. I swallow the urge, dragging my gaze back to her, forcing a faint smile.
“Alina, I can’t pretend I didn’t see that,” I say, ste
