Before Kris knew what was happening, Zeke grabbed him by the collar of his suit and yanked him away from Thalassa, shoving him with such force that he would have crashed to the floor if the couch hadn't cushioned his fall. ""Zeke!" Thalassa gasped.

"How dare you lay your filthy hands on her and kiss her?" Zeke raged, the veins on his forehead and neck bulging as though they were about to burst.

"What the hell is your problem?" Kris hissed, pushing himself to his feet. He clenched his fists, wanting to punch the hell out of him, but a pleading look from Thalassa made him hold back.

"No, what's wrong with *you*?" Zeke shot back. "When will you understand that Thalassa doesn't want anything to do with you? Now you're forcing yourself on her?"

He turned to Thalassa, gently cradling her face between his hands. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

The sight of Zeke's hands on Thalassa made Kris's blood boil. His jaw tightened as he fought the urge to tear Zeke away. Thalassa wasn't his-not really-and he couldn't afford to act rash or possessive around her.

"No, Zeke, Kris didn't hurt me. He didn't kiss me against my will," Thalassa replied calmly. Kris gritted his teeth, frustrated that she wasn't pulling Zeke's hands away from her.

"What do you mean he didn't kiss you against your will? But I saw him grab your face, and-"

"Are you so dense that you can't understand simple English?" Kris interrupted, his voice low and dangerous. "Thalassa and I are together now. That's why I have the right to kiss her."

Zeke's face hardened with disbelief as he looked at Thalassa again, his eyes shining with denial. "I'm sorry, but this man is clearly delusional. What he's saying is nonsense, right?" Thalassa shook her head. "No, Zeke. He's telling the truth. I've decided to give Kris a second chance."

Zeke's hands dropped from her face as if he'd been burned, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. "But... I don't understand. You're giving this guy a second chance? After everything he did to you? You told me going back to him was something you'd never do."

"That's for her to decide, isn't it?" Kris interjected, glaring at Zeke. He couldn't let Zeke undo all the progress he'd made with Thalassa.

Stepping behind her, Kris placed his hands on Thalassa's shoulders, watching as jealousy flared in Zeke's eyes.

"People are allowed to change their minds, Zeke," Thalassa said, her tone steady.

"But he hurt you, Thalassa," Zeke argued, his voice thick with emotion. "He treated you like dirt during your marriagez always put his

mother heck, his entirenoveldrama

family before you, kicked voel

out in

the middle of the night like you were a beggar after your divorce. How can you go back to him?"

"You don't need to remind her of my mistakes, Mathews," Kris hissed. "She remembers them perfectly, and so do I. That's why I know I have to work hard to earn her forgiveness, and I will."

Zeke stood there, bewildered, feeling

like the ground had been pulled from beneath him. He'd waited all these years, waited for Thalassa to seek justice and heal so he could finally confess his feelings. Now, it felt like all that waiting had been for nothing. He felt like such an idiot for not telling her his feelings sooner.

Blinking back the sting in his eyes, he met Thalassa's gaze. "Are you really sure about this?"

Thalassa took a step toward him. "Zeke, I know you're worried about me. You're a good friend, and I truly appreciate that. But I know what I'm doing." Being friend-zoned in front of Kris felt like a knife twisting in his chest. Zeke swallowed the pain and nodded slowly.

"Very well. I'll respect your decision."

"Why is the door open? Are you guys done talking yet?" Luisa's voice came from behind him just as Zeke was about to turn and leave.

Turning, he froze at the sight of his sister wrapped in Alden's arms. The couple stood still, Luisa holding her breath as she waited for her brother's reaction.