JENNIE —

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Here I am, trying not to have a panic attack, and Lisa is over there, talking to my grandfather like nothing happened. Like I'm not even here. I want to know what they're talking about, so I casually close the distance between us.

I'm eavesdropping, and I don't even care. I only catch the end of their conversation, but it's enough to knock the wind out of my lungs. Grandfather wants to meet with Lisa and—oh, no.

Grandfather has been talking about rotating the current artwork we have displayed throughout the hotel for a while now, but he hasn't found what he wants to replace them with yet.

As soon as Grandfather has walked away, and I've pulled myself together, I blurt, "You have to say no."

Lisa spins around and says, "What? Why?"

I didn't mean to say that out loud. Shit. I fumble for words. "You can't, I mean, no, that's what I mean. You have to say no. When he asks you to stay on, to display in the hotel, you have to say no."

Lisa frowns. "And why would I do that? Being associated with Victor Kim will do amazing things for my career. I'd be a fool to refuse him."

I can't think of a good answer right now, so I say, "Because, you can't just show up out of the blue and expect everything to be fine and dandy."

Her eyes narrow on me. "I never said I expected anything. So maybe you should stop jumping to conclusions."

I eye the champagne flute in her hand, and the remark slides right off my tongue. "Taking after Daddy, I see. Turning to alcohol instead of dealing with your problems like a big girl." It was a cheap shot, and I want to take it back as soon as the words leave my mouth.

Lisa has never looked at me the way she is right now. I can feel the pain my words inflicted in my bones. I reach for her arm to apologize, but she pulls away from me.

"No," she says, and I feel that one word down to my toes. "You don't get to judge me." Her nostrils flare with the effort it's taking for her to keep her composure. "I'm going to go talk to whomever it is I have to, and you? You're going to stay the hell away from me for the rest of the night."

Then, she's storming across to the other side of the room, picking up another champagne flute from a passing waitress as she goes.

Tears pool in my eyes. I can't believe I said that. That's not me. I don't try to hurt people, but that's exactly what I was aiming for when those words left my lips. I wanted her to hurt. I wanted her to feel a fraction of the pain I felt when I woke up five years ago and she was gone.

Kai steps up behind me. His big hands wrap around my shoulders. "Jane, wanna tell me what's going on now?"

I sigh. I'm sure he's figured it out by now, but I turn around to face him anyway. "Pran is Lisa."

Kai's expression darkens immediately. "As in, the punk who broke your heart? That Lisa?"

I nod. "One and the same."

He goes to step in the direction Lisa just walked, and I push my palms into his chest, stopping him. "No, Kai, please don't. It's in the past, and that's where I want to leave it."

"If it's in the past, why are you on the verge of crying? And why is she here? There are a hundred other galleries in the city she could have held her little exhibition at," he spits, all the while keeping his eyes locked on Lisa across the room.

"I'm fine, okay? Just a little thrown. She didn't plan this. Her assistant, or publicist, or whatever she is did it. Please, can we talk about it tomorrow? Just let it go for tonight," I plead.

Eventually, Kai nods and backs down. I sigh in relief. "Thank you. Now, I'm going to call it a night. Can I trust you not to make a scene after I leave?"

"Would punching her in the face be classified as making a scene?" Kai asks.

I glare at him. "Yes, Kai. The grandson of the owner of Kim Plaza attacking the talent at his own exhibition would equate to making a scene," I deadpan.

"Fine, I'll wait until she goes to the bathroom or something," he mutters under his breath, and my hand flies out, delivering a lightning-fast nipple cripple. He slaps my hand away. "Okay, okay, I won't do anything—not tonight, anyway."

I nod. "Thank you. Now stop worrying about me, and go enjoy your date." I push up on my toes and press a quick kiss to Kai's cheek.

Looking around the room one last time, I catch a glimpse of Lisa talking to an older woman who appears to be getting handsy. The clear discomfort on her face gives me a small burst of joy as I push through the glass door and head to my suite.

Yes, I live at the hotel, which is why Lisa taking the position with Grandfather is so terrifying. I'll have nowhere to go to escape her. She'll be in my space, day in and day out, until she's finished decking out the place. And then I'll be faced with her everywhere I turn. She'll be on the walls, constantly surrounding me.

I'd rather eat my own foot than live through that.

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