01

Kathleen’s POV

“The cab just dropped me off. I'm heading up now,” I said, clutching my phone closer to my ear.

“I’m glad you made it safely.” Noelle’s voice was soft but firm. “Listen, make sure you eat and take your pills. I put some extras in your handbag, okay?”

I sighed, a small smile tugging at my lips. “You’re a lifesaver, Noelle.” My fingers hovered over the door handle. “Alright, I’m here. Talk soon, yeah?”

“Take care of yourself,” she murmured before the call ended.

I knocked lightly, but the door creaked open.

My brows knit together. Noah never forgot to lock his door. He was annoyingly meticulous about it. I hesitated, then nudged the door wider and stepped inside.

The air was warm, almost suffocating. Something felt… off.

A lacy bra dangled off the couch. A woman’s purse perched on the armrest. A man’s tie lay carelessly on the stairs.

My pulse spiked.

Noah hadn’t mentioned company, and if his sister were visiting, she’d have called me. Yesterday, everything had seemed normal—he’d been fine, his voice steady.

I followed the trail of clothing, each item winding my stomach tighter. Blouses. Heels. Trousers.

From the top floor came sounds that turned my blood to ice.

Moans.

My breath hitched. No. This couldn’t be happening.

Heart pounding, I crept upstairs and pushed the bedroom door open.

The sight froze me in place.

Noah. Naked. And the woman beneath him…

His sister.

He jerked upright, scrambling for a pillow. His face drained of color. “Jesus, Kat!”

I stared, the world spinning. I could barely breathe.

“I… I don’t want to hear it,” I choked out. My voice wavered, but I held his gaze, rage simmering beneath my shock. “You two… you’re sick.”

His sister grabbed a sheet, her face flushed.

“Kat, wait—just listen to me!” Noah stumbled out of bed, one hand clutching the pillow against him like it could shield him from the mess he’d made.

I bolted down the stairs, grabbing my bag on the way out. His footsteps thundered behind me.

“KAT! Please!”

I reached the curb just as a cab appeared, as if fate had thrown me a lifeline.

“Airport,” I rasped as I climbed in, barely holding back sobs. The door slammed shut, cutting off Noah’s shouts.

In the rearview mirror, I glimpsed him standing outside in nothing but boxers, hands tangled in his hair like he was the victim.

---

The Drive

The cab blurred into streaks of city lights and muffled sounds. My chest ached, my thoughts spiraling.

How could I have been so blind? The man I trusted—the man I loved—had been lying to me all along.

“Ma’am?” The driver’s voice snapped me back.

I wiped my face roughly. “What?”

“You didn’t say where you’re headed.”

“Bengaluru Airport,” I muttered. My voice felt hollow.

“You okay?” he asked, his gaze flickering to the mirror.

I wasn’t. My fingers trembled in my lap, my mind still replaying Noah’s betrayal.

“I’m fine,” I lied.

The driver didn’t push, but I caught his concerned glance again before he focused back on the road.

---

On the Plane

The sixteen-hour flight loomed ahead, yet my mind remained stuck in that bedroom—on Noah, on his twisted betrayal.

I barely noticed the man taking the seat beside me until he spoke.

“Excuse me, miss. Would you mind switching seats? I’d prefer the window.”

I turned, blinking up at him. Tall, sharp features, eyes like ice. His jet-black hair fell just enough to soften his otherwise intimidating presence.

“No,” I said flatly, turning back to the window.

“Please?” His voice was smooth but insistent, laced with something that hinted at charm—or danger.

“I said no.” My voice hardened. The last thing I needed was a stranger pushing me.

“Alright, alright,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Didn’t mean to bother you.”

I expected him to sulk or mutter something under his breath, but instead, he chuckled—a deep, rich sound that surprised me.

“What’s so funny?” I muttered.

“You,” he said, shaking his head. “I figured you’d be the polite type.”

“Guess I fooled you,” I shot back.

“You definitely did.” He smirked, giving me his hand to take.

"I'm..." He paused when he saw I wasn't interested. 

“Okay, rude type,” he teased, dropping his hand.

Despite myself, my lips twitched.

I glanced at him again. His expression had softened. With a frustrated sigh, I grabbed my handbag and shifted to the aisle.

“Thanks,” he said, sliding into the seat.

---

Hours Later

Sleep wouldn’t come. My mind refused to quiet, replaying the betrayal over and over.

Beside me, the man shifted restlessly. His breathing quickened, soft murmurs escaping his lips. His face twisted with discomfort, sweat glistening on his brow.

I ignored him at first, but his pained moans grew louder.

“No…” he muttered, fingers twitching. His face twisted like he was trapped in something dark.

I hesitated. Should I wake him?

Another pained breath slipped out, his hand brushing mine on the armrest. His skin was clammy and cold.

Before I could second-guess myself, I reached out and gently laced my fingers with his.

The change was instant. His trembling eased, and his ragged breathing slowed. The tension in his face faded, and his hand relaxed in mine.

He shifted closer, his head resting lightly against my shoulder.

I froze. But instead of discomfort, I felt… calm. His presence, his warmth, somehow settled the chaos inside me.

I didn’t move. For the first time since Noah's betrayal, I felt safe.

---

Later That Night

A sharp need to pee jolted me awake. Carefully, I eased his head back onto his seat and slipped past him.

The flight attendant guided me to the restroom. The tiny space felt suffocating as I leaned against the sink, letting the cold water cool my face.

Get it together, I told myself.

As I zipped my jeans, the faintest whisper of movement sounded behind me. Before I could react, a hand slid around my waist.

I froze.

“I woke up the moment you left,” a deep voice murmured against my ear.

I twisted sharply—only to find the man from my seat, his icy blue eyes locked on mine.

“What the hell are you doing?” I demanded, pushing at his chest.

His grip didn’t tighten, but he didn’t let go either.

“Relax,” he said with a faint smile. “You’re safe.”

“Then let go.”