His reply came almost instantly:
What really happened that day? You don’t have to protect me.
My fingers hovered.
Sebastian had always been my shield. If he knew the truth, he’d launch a legal war—and I didn’t want more blood on my conscience.
So I answered:
I’ll explain later. I just need to leave first.
Leaving was all that mattered now.
Up front, Zachary laughed softly, apologizing to Nina over something trivial, playing the attentive partner. Yet I felt his gaze flick toward me, waiting for a reaction.
I gave him nothing.
Irritation flashed in his eyes. He hated being ignored.
“You’ve been glued to your phone since we got in,” he snapped. “Who are you talking to?”
“Just catching up on the news,” I replied calmly, eyes on my boarding pass.
He didn’t believe me.
Without warning, he reached back and yanked the phone from my hands.
Anger surged—hot, clean, undeniable.
“What’s the passcode?” he demanded.
I smiled faintly. “The day we met. The day I made the worst mistake of my life. You were charming for about five minutes. After that? Pure arrogance.”
He scowled and tried.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Locked.