“You don’t call this trouble? Do you have any idea what’s been happening at home? My mom’s so upset she ended up in the hospital!” Alvin’s anger was practically radiating off him.


    Hearing about Michelle made me feel guilty, but I knew the two issues didn’t mix. My guilt toward his parents couldn’t erase


    the hurt Alvin had caused me.


    “I’ll apologize to Michelle and exin,” I said quietly.


    “That’s not the point, Zoe. I’m asking you why you didn’t get the license,” he said, tugging at his cor again, clearly frustrated.


    He’d messed up, but still acted like I owed him an exnation. I thought, ‘Fine, if that’s how he wants to y it, I don’t mind making it clear who owes whom.’


    I nced down, letting my eyes fall on his watch. “I went to Saltwater Spring.”


    The chair scraped loudly as he shifted in his seat, freezing, and I could hear the tension in the air.


    Alvin stiffened, his expression shifting rapidly as if he were trying to piece together what I’d just said. “Listen to me…”


    “Alvin, there’s nothing to say. No matter how you exin, the fact is, Thea is living there, and…” I paused, watching his face closely, “…when I went shopping for bedding with her, she picked out all the designs you like.”


    “We’re not what you think,” Alvin said, standing up and walking toward me.


    I took a step back, keeping my distance. “Alvin, I’m not the type to overthink or make assumptions. But I do have eyes, and I can see. I also have a heart, and I can feel.”


    “Zoe…” He shook his head, his voice softer.


    “That house was for you,” he said, stepping closer. “I picked out everything the way you like it. It was supposed to be a gift for you.”


    “But you gave it to someone else,” I whispered, almost to myself.


    “I didn’t give it to her! I just let her stay there temporarily,” Alvin exined quickly. “She’s been rejected by her inws after Benjamin died. She doesn’t even have a ce to stay, so I let her stay there for now.”


    A bitter smile tugged at my lips. “So you’re waiting for her to leave before you give it to me, right?”


    Alvin opened his mouth, but no words came out. But I knew the answer.


    A sharp, painful twist shot through my chest. I clenched my fist, digging my nails into my palm. “Alvin, I’m only good enough to live in a ce someone else has already lived in, right?”


    “No, Zoe, I’ll buy you a new one!” His voice softened, but the frustration was still there.


    “Oh,” I said with a humorlessugh. “So now you can just keep one hidden while you give me the other?”


    “Zoe!” Alvin snapped, his anger rising again.


    I stayed calm, watching him, while he seemed to struggle with his emotions. Finally, he said, “Do you really have to make everything so difficult? Aren’t you supposed to be kind and understanding?


    “Why can’t you ept Thea? She’s in a tough spot-pregnant, and her husband’s gone.”


    “Yes, she’s in a tough spot. I know. That’s why I’m being generous and letting you have her. Take care of her, marry her, be a father to her child-whatever. I don’t mind,” I said, my words dripping with sarcasm.


    Before I could finish, Alvin stormed toward me, grabbing my arm tightly. “Zoe, what are you saying? What do you think I am to you?”


    “Alvin, you’re the one who wants me to be generous,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.


    “Then your idea of generosity is not marrying me and breaking up with me?” His voice was cold, cutting.


    I stared at his face-the face I had adored for ten years-and answered tly, “What else should I do? Should I share you with Thea?”


    “Zoe, why do you always have to be so cruel?” Alvin’s grip tightened painfully on my arm.


    It hurt, but the pain only made me feel more awake, more alert.


    “Alvin, if I were in your position, would you be okay with me taking care of another man?” I asked quietly. But as I spoke, Josh’s face shed in my mind, just for a split second.