This was not the man who made me feel like a princess, who bought me flowers just because, and admitted he spent three months trying to find the perfect engagement ring for me.

I did not know this man, and that was stunningly terrifying.

Heartbreakingly sad.

I gaped at the phone, practically gnawing a hole in my bottom lip until Heather plopped down next to me and slid a glass of wine in front of me. It blocked my view of the phone, but barely. I brought it to my mouth without thinking, without caring it was something like eight in the morning and yeah… day drinking the day away seemed like the best idea she’d had since I met her.

“He’ll cool down,” she murmured and rested her head on my shoulder. “Keep focused on what this means for you. Once you get your trust fund you finally get to start looking into those nonprofits you’ve been talking about for so long. Or maybe you can do something for kids this winter still, like organize a donation drive for Christmas presents, surprise a family with gifts. Your heart is huge, Emmersyn, and all that money you have will do great things.”

Tears welled in my eyes. Across from us, Kane watched us closely. Too close.

“Toy drive?” he asked.

Heather kissed my shoulder and sat up. “You haven’t told him what you wanted to do with the money?”

She was surprised, with good reason. I told everyone I was close to what I wanted the money used for.

“I mentioned nonprofits for kids who didn’t grow up with my privilege, just not specifics. And until I can get Glen to call me back, none of that really matters. Shit.” I dropped my head into my hands. I knew this would be bad. I knew Lincoln was pissed. Hell, my side still ached and the bruise he’d left in memory of him was fading, but still a pale yellow.

“It’ll be okay,” Kane said and the cushion next to me depressed with his weight.

His hand rubbed up and down my back. Yesterday, that might have made me feel warm, today all I felt was shame.

For bringing him into this. For going along with it. I shook my head and groaned. “I’m so sorry.”

“Hey.” His voice was a whisper, kind, like he was trying not to scare me. “Look at me.”

I refused. I couldn’t. I’d already run upstairs and puked this morning when the stress got to me. The only option after that was to shower to feel slightly human, I hadn’t been joking—if I was going to have a shitty day, I thought it would help me feel better if I didn’t look like a drowned rat. Wishful thinking.

Something warm and firm settled at my chin. Then pressure hit, lifting my chin and turning it at the same time so I had no choice but to lift my head. Kane’s knuckle was at my chin, and his dark, steely eyes were on me as soon as I blinked away my surprise.