Chapter 42

Mira’s POV

The next morning felt… slow.

Like the entire house had collectively decided to move at half speed.

I woke up to the soft hum of the air conditioner and the faint sound of waves crashing in the distance, my body still heavy with sleep. For a few seconds, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, letting everything from yesterday settle back into my mind.

The fall.

The pain.

Ace.

That kiss.

And then Dro.

My chest tightened slightly at the memory, but I pushed it away before it could grow into something bigger.

I wasn’t ready to unpack that yet.

“Good morning.”

I turned my head slightly to see Dro leaning against the doorframe, already dressed, looking annoyingly put together for someone who probably slept just a few hours.

“Morning,” I mumbled, my voice still thick with sleep.

“How’s the ankle?” he asked, walking closer.

I shifted slightly, testing it. The dull ache was still there, but not as sharp as yesterday.

“Still attached,” I said dryly.

He huffed out a small laugh before sitting beside me. “Maria said you should avoid putting too much pressure on it today.”

“Perfect excuse to do nothing,” I replied.

“That was already your plan,” he said.

I smiled faintly.

He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead before standing again. “I’ll have breakfast sent up. Try not to move too much.”

“Yes, doctor,” I teased.

He shook his head lightly before leaving the room.

I stared at the door for a few seconds after he left, my thoughts drifting again.

He wasn’t angry.

Not about the kiss.

Not about Ace.

If anything, he had been… calm.

Too calm.

I didn’t know what to make of that.

—

By late morning, I found myself outside by the pool with Zara.

Or more accurately, half-lounging while she sunbathed like she didn’t have a single problem in the world.

Meanwhile, I had my leg propped up with a pillow, looking like a retired athlete.

“This is so unfair,” I muttered, adjusting slightly. “You’re glowing, and I look like I survived a war.”

Zara didn’t even open her eyes. “Please. You still look hot. Suffering just adds character.”

I snorted softly.

There was a brief pause before I turned my head slightly toward her.

“So,” I started, dragging the word out just enough to get her attention.

She peeked one eye open. “Why do I feel like I’m about to be interrogated?”

“Because you are,” I replied sweetly. “You and Danny.”

That got both her eyes open.

“Oh, we’re starting early today,” she said, pushing her sunglasses up slightly.

I raised a brow. “I went to your room last night.”

“And?” she asked, already smirking.

“And your door was locked,” I continued. “You weren’t answering.”

Zara bit her lip, clearly trying not to laugh.

“And then,” I added slowly, “I heard things.”

That did it.

She burst out laughing.

“Oh my God,” she said, sitting up slightly. “You heard us?”

“I heard enough,” I replied dryly. “I even told you to use protection.”

She laughed harder, falling back onto the chair. “I’m actually embarrassed.”

“You don’t sound embarrassed.”

“I’m not,” she admitted, grinning.

I shook my head, unable to stop the small smile tugging at my lips.

“Wait,” I added, narrowing my eyes slightly. “The guys said he was a virgin.”

Zara paused.

Then she blinked.

Then she sat up fully.

“Virgin?” she repeated, looking genuinely confused.

“That’s what they said,” I replied.

She let out a short laugh, shaking her head. “Yeah… no.”

I frowned slightly. “What do you mean no?”

“I mean,” she said, leaning closer with a conspiratorial grin, “with the way that man was moving last night, I refuse to believe that was his first time.”

I choked on a laugh. “Zara!”

“I’m serious,” she continued, raising her hands defensively. “If that was his first time, then I’ve been doing life wrong.”

I laughed properly now, the sound coming easier than it had all morning.

“You’re ridiculous,” I said.

“And you love me for it,” she shot back.

I didn’t argue.

Because she wasn’t wrong.

There was a comfortable silence for a moment before her expression shifted slightly.

“So,” she said, her tone changing just enough for me to notice. “What about Ace?”

My smile faded slightly.

Of course she would ask.

“What about him?” I tried.

Zara gave me a look. “Don’t do that. I can smell avoidance from a mile away.”

I sighed softly, leaning back.

“He… said something yesterday,” I admitted.

Her eyes lit up instantly. “What did he say?”

I hesitated for a second.

Then, “He said he’s in love with me.”

Zara blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Then she let out a low whistle. “Well… that escalated quickly.”

“Tell me about it,” I muttered.

“How did that even happen?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “One minute he’s denying it in front of everyone, the next he’s confessing like his life depends on it.”

Zara studied my face carefully.

“And Alejandro?” she asked. “How is he taking all of this?”

“That’s the weird part,” I said. “He’s… not angry.”

Her brows pulled together slightly. “Not angry at all?”

I shook my head. “He was angry at Ace, obviously. But not at me. Not about the kiss.”

Zara leaned back slowly, her expression turning thoughtful.

“That doesn’t make sense,” she said after a moment.

“It does,” I replied quickly. “He trusts me.”

“Or,” she countered, raising a finger, “he’s hiding something.”

I frowned. “What would he be hiding?”

Zara shrugged slightly. “I don’t know. But men like that don’t just… let things go. Especially not something like that.”

I rolled my eyes lightly. “You’re overthinking.”

She gave me a look. “I don’t overthink. I observe.”

“You’re being dramatic.”

“I’m being right,” she shot back.

I laughed softly, shaking my head.

“No, you’re being Zara.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” she said proudly.

Before I could respond, footsteps approached.

Danny.

He walked over casually, his gaze going straight to Zara like she was the only person there.

“Morning,” he said.

“Morning,” she replied, her tone suddenly softer in a way that made me side-eye her.

He leaned down and kissed her.

Just like that.

Right in front of me.

I made a face immediately. “Okay, can you not?”

They pulled apart slightly, both looking at me.

“Get a room,” I added.

Zara grinned. “We had one. You interrupted.”

“I regret checking on you,” I muttered.

Danny chuckled softly before sitting beside her, his hand naturally finding hers.

I watched them for a second before looking away.

Cute.

Annoying.

But cute.

A few minutes later, Marlo joined us, looking like he had just fought a war in his sleep.

“Why is everyone awake?” he groaned, dropping into a chair.

“Because it’s morning,” Zara replied.

“That sounds fake,” he said, rubbing his face.

I laughed lightly.

Then he looked around.

“Wait,” he said, frowning slightly. “Has anyone seen Ace?”

The question made something in my chest tighten.

I hadn’t.

Not since yesterday.

Zara glanced at me briefly before shaking her head. “Nope.”

Danny shrugged. “Haven’t seen him either.”

Marlo frowned deeper. “That’s weird.”

And then—

“Ace left.”

We all turned.

Dro stood there, his expression unreadable.

“What do you mean left?” Marlo asked.

“I mean,” Dro said calmly, “he’s gone.”

Silence fell over us.

“He didn’t say anything?” Danny asked.

Dro shook his head slightly. “Not to me.”

I felt something twist uncomfortably in my chest.

Gone?

Just like that?