Chapter 254

‘Her name’s Lea Marchand—Lea Lopez, once she’s divorced. Her husband’s a drunk, violent arsehole. He turned up at her hotel and wouldn’t leave her alone. I had to get her out. She’s coming back to Skyline with me. He can’t touch her there. His family’s powerful and old-school. The divorce makes them look bad, so they’ll try everything to make her back down…’ Ashton’s voice was calm, unemotional. Like he was reading out a weather report. I caught some of the words, but most of it blurred into a low, distant hum. I was preoccupied with the feeling settling heavily in my chest. What I felt was panic. But not the usual kind. I was terrified by how calm I was. And how… relieved. I liked Ashton. That much was still true. But for the first time, I was certain—I didn’t love him. Or maybe I just didn’t deserve to. He was too good to be true. If your boyfriend came home late, reeking of perfume and wine, after dinner with another woman, wouldn’t you be at least a little angry? You would. If you