I thought I was growing to understand Sinclair Whittier. Thought that loving him meant we could survive anything.

But love isn't always enough.

I knew it could never work between us-not with our families' tangled pasts. I thought I was smarter than this, that I'd never fall for the enemy. But I did. And now I feel like a fool for believing we ever had a chance.

When I demanded to be with my father-to make sure he got the care he needed-Sinclair let me go. No fights. No games. Just quiet understanding. And in that moment, I thought he truly saw me. Chose me. Trusted me.

Then I discover what he's been keeping from me.

Not a lie, exactly. But close enough to destroy the fragile thing we were trying to build.

Now I don't know what's real. I don't know if the man I gave my heart to is still the man I can trust with it. And yet, even as doubt claws at me, I can't stop loving him. Can't stop needing him. Even if I was right all along-

That we were always doomed to fall apart.

Because some lines, once crossed, can never be uncrossed.

And this time... it might be too late to go back.