Chapter 94: Shamelessness Is a Skill

Cora cried until the tightness in her chest finally loosened. Saying it aloud helped. Riley squeezed her hand.

“Come on,” Riley said. “Let’s sit somewhere that isn’t a hallway.”

Cora nodded—then Dina’s voice cut in behind them. “Cora, wait!”

Cora stiffened. Riley turned too, openly curious.

The two women assessed each other in a single glance—Dina, wet hair and a model’s bones; Riley, all dangerous curves and cool eyes. Sparks flicked in the air. Dina’s gaze skittered first. She didn’t have time to size up Riley’s threat level. She only had one goal.

“Cora, can we talk?” Dina asked.

“What’s left to say?”

“I’m sorry about the pool. I… lost control.” Dina’s tone softened. “You know how much I loved Jule before you married him.” She shifted, stubborn. “Please—just a few minutes. Alone.”

Cora didn’t move.

“Cora, I have a month,” Dina whispered, voice trembling on cue. “That’s it. You used to understand me best. I don’t want anything ugly. Just… talk to me. You have a whole life ahead of you. What are you afraid of?”

Riley snorted. “Cora, I’ll take you to rest.”

Dina grabbed Cora’s wrist. “Please.”

Cora sighed. “Fine. The front lounge.”

They walked to a quiet alcove. Dina, without warning, dropped to her knees.

“What are you doing?” Cora startled, reaching down to pull her up.

“Cora…” Two perfectly framed tears slid down Dina’s face. “I know this is out of line. But I don’t want to die with regrets. I’ve loved Julian more than anyone. Please—lend him back to me. One month. I only want one month.”

Cora went white.

Julian is a person, not an object. And he had never truly belonged to her. How could she “give” him?

“I just want to remember what we were,” Dina begged. “I swear I won’t cross any lines.” She doubled down, voice breaking. “You and Julian are a contract. You said you’ll leave after the baby, didn’t you? If you’re going to walk away anyway, then let me have this last month. Please. For what we were.”

Ice crept along Cora’s spine.

“He never forgot me,” Dina whispered. “You saw him dive for me. He’s kind to you because of the baby and his duty, not love. He was my boyfriend, Cora. You came between us.”

Color bled from Cora’s cheeks. Before that terrible night, Dina had been Julian’s girlfriend. Whatever Cora and Julian had now, it had started with a mistake and hardened into obligation. He’d fixed her problems with the Devs for the child’s sake, not hers.

He doesn’t love me. I don’t love him. That had been the whole point.

Seeing Cora falter, Dina seized her chance, clutching Cora’s leg. “You’ve always cared most about me. I only asked to see you this last month because I trust you. Don’t abandon me. Let Jule walk me to the end and we’ll still be sisters after.”

Exhaustion swept Cora’s features. “Do whatever you want,” she said quietly. “Julian may be my husband on paper, but he isn’t property. I don’t decide where he goes. If he still cares for you, that’s between you.”

Delight flashed in Dina’s eyes. Still, she wasn’t done.

“One more thing,” Dina said quickly. “He’s angry about today. Help me fix it.”

“How?”

“Give us room to meet. You know his security—no one gets near him.” Dina pressed a hand to her heart. “This is my last request. I won’t trouble you again.”

Cora stared at her. Give away my husband and set the date? The math was obscene.

Dina hesitated, then dealt the blow. “He told me earlier… if it weren’t for you, he would’ve come to me last time.”

Something in Cora dropped straight through the floor.

“Fine,” she said hoarsely. “Dinner will run late. I’ll stay in Zone Two with Riley tonight. You know where his room is. Here—take the key.”

Dina blinked at the card in her palm, stunned at how easily the door had opened. She sprang up, beaming. “Thank you,” she breathed, and practically skipped away.

Only when Dina’s figure vanished did Riley step back into view.

Inside the lounge, Cora managed a brittle smile. “Dina used to be Julian’s girlfriend. That night she put me in his bed with a room key. I turned out pregnant. Watson couldn’t risk the child, so we married.” She swallowed. “Now she says Julian told her he never stopped loving her.”

“And?” Riley’s eyes were level, already piecing together the moves.

“So I gave her the key,” Cora said, mouth twisting. “I put her in my husband’s bed.” A raw laugh scraped out. “It’s cleaner that way, right? Everyone goes back to their original places. Then why does it hurt? I don’t even love Julian. I had someone once—he chose money over me. I shouldn’t feel anything for Julian.”

Riley’s exhale was soft. “You’re a fool,” she said, not unkindly.

“Riley… after the dinner, can I sleep in your suite? I don’t want to see them.”

“Obviously,” Riley said. “You hauled me out of my worst day. Your turn—I’m here.”

“Thank you.”

Out in the corridor, unseen, Liam lowered his gaze, decision settling in. Whether or not Cora had any link to Qara, he wouldn’t leave her to be carved up. If necessary, he would take her out of Watson’s house himself. This was his country. If Mayer and Watson collided here, the outcome wasn’t predetermined.

—

Night fell. The family dinner was already underway when Cora slipped in, a touch late.

Annoyance flickered over Julian’s face before he smoothed it away. She spoke first, calm as glass. “Sorry I’m late. I wasn’t feeling well and rested a bit.”

At the word unwell, his eyes swept over her, quick and clinical, checking for any sign of distress. He wanted to ask—he nearly did. But yesterday’s fight still sat between them like a blade, and pride held his tongue. He said nothing.

Cora took her seat, hands folded, face composed.

And the evening went on.