His gaze locks back onto Ty, and I know that the time for calming down is over.

Alex steps inside without hesitation, his body coiled tight like a predator about to strike. The door slams shut behind him, rattling the walls, but his gaze remains locked on Ty.

His voice cuts through the thick tension like a blade. “The breakup texts.” Alex studies Ty, his gaze cold, calculating—like he’s deciding whether to rip him apart with words or with fists. “That was you.”

Ty shrugs, unbothered. “Yeah, with Celeste’s help. And your secretary’s.”

“And pairing Celeste with me at Soul Sync?”

“That was her idea. She’s still desperate to get you back.”

“You’re the one who paid for Celeste.”

“I did. And that shit isn’t cheap. You must be desperate for a wife.”

Alex’s nostrils flare, his hands flexing at his sides. “You did all of this to hurt me?”

Ty smirks. “Of course, it was to hurt you. Everything I do is to hurt you. Just like my relationship with Magnolia.”

My stomach twists into a knot.

Shit, what is he about to say?

His expression shifts, something flickering in his icy blue eyes. “At least that was the initial plan. But sometimes, plans have a way of changing.”

I suck in a breath, bracing myself.

Please don’t say it, Ty.

Please don’t say it.

Ty’s lips curl into something that almost looks like triumph. “I fell in love with Magnolia.”

He takes a slow step forward, his gaze flicking to me for a fraction of a second before settling back on Alex. “And she was falling in love with me too.”

The room goes deadly silent.

Because all hell is about to break loose.

He’s unfazed by the rage radiating off Alex. “I love her, Sebring. I love the fuck out of her.”

Alex’s nostrils flare, his jaw tight. “Shut your fucking mouth.”

Ty takes a step forward, challenging him. “You’re out of your mind if you think I’m going to let her go without a fight.”

It happens fast—so fast. He lunges, his fist colliding with Ty’s jaw with a sickening crack. Ty stumbles back, shakes off the hit, and charges forward.

The full force of two huge, powerful men colliding in my living room makes the walls tremble. The coffee table rattles, a lamp crashes to the floor. I knew this was coming—I felt it the moment Alex laid eyes on Ty—but the sheer brutality of it still shocks me.

A grunt. A fist meeting flesh. The deep, guttural sound of impact as Alex shoves Ty back against the wall.

Ty retaliates, throwing a punch that snaps Alex’s head to the side.