“So you’re saying you’ll keep trying to tempt me? Keep flirting with me?” I shot back, not shying away.


    “Yeah.” Before I could say more, he added quietly, “I can’t control myself. I just want to be near you, take care of you… and yes, flirt with you.”


    Love really couldn’t be controlled, could it? If it could, none of us would be suffering from it-human or divine.


    I didn’t know how to respond, and just then, Josh loosened his grip. “Drink some water and rest. If you need anything, just


    call me.”


    He let me go and gestured to my purse. “Your keycard. Let me open the door for you.”


    “No need,” I said, regaining some distance between us. “I’ll handle it myself.”


    I fumbled for my keycard and swiped it, pushing open the door. I leaned against it for a moment, trying to clear my head.


    When Myra came back, I was already lying on the bed. She moved quietly, likely so she wouldn’t wake me.


    I didn’t open my eyes, not because I was asleep, but because I didn’t want to talk. I did hear her muttering softly, “I thought you were asleep, but I guess it’s no use now that I’m here.”


    At the sound of her voice, I curled my fingers under the nket. So, it was Josh who had sent her to look after me.


    How had I gotten tangled up with Josh?


    I didn’t have an answer, and before long, I drifted into sleep. This time, my dream was a mess. I seemed to see my parents, and the car ident they were in.


    Even though I had never seen the ident scene firsthand, I’d secretly gone through the case files at the traffic police station and seen the photos.


    Those images had burned themselves into my mind, bing my nightmare.


    I had dreamed about it several times when I first joined the Dolton family, but in recent years, I hadn’t dreamed of it much.


    Yet,st night, it came back.


    I woke up before dawn, checking my phone—it was 5 a.m.


    This had be a routely, waking up at this time, no matter howte I stayed up.


    Though I had drunk a lot yesterday, my head wasn’t aching, and I felt clear-headed.


    There were several missed calls and messages on my phone. Since it was on silent, I hadn’t heard them.


    Jasmine had called twice, and so had Michelle.


    I had a bad feeling, likely something to do with Alvin.


    But I had said everything that needed to be said, and she hadn’t reached out recently. It couldn’t be about Philip, could it?


    I hesitated but decided to reply to Jasmine first. It was too early to call, so I opened WhatsApp. I saw several messages from


    her.


    (Why aren’t you picking up? Is everything okay?]


    [Did Josh take you away?]


    [If you don’t reply, I’ll call the police.]


    [Did you go to Apollo’s to drink? What happened?]


    Jasmine, unable to reach me, had probably gone to Apollo’s bar to ask around. Otherwise, she might’ve shown up at the hotel to pound on the door.


    I sent her a quick response with a meme and a message: [I’m fine, just felt like a little drink to lift my mood.]


    As soon as I sent it, my phone rang. Jasmine was calling.


    She must have been on a night shift, or she wouldn’t have responded this quickly.


    I stepped onto the balcony to answer, trying not to wake Myra. As I looked down, I saw Josh jogging below.


    Turning my back, I began chatting with Jasmine.


    When I read Josh’s message aloud, Jasmineughed, and then said, “Zoe, I think you and Josh would be great together. Why don’t you give it a shot?”


    “I turned him downst night. No, I’m not interested,” I responded firmly.


    “Alright,” Jasmine sighed. “One heartbroken girl, never talks love again.”


    After hanging up, I went to take a shower. When I came out, my phone rang again-it was Michelle.


    I hesitated for a moment before answering. “Michelle…”