Shrugging off my coat, I trudged inside. Goosebumps crawled up my skin as the cool air kissed my arms. The living room’s lights were dimmed, and the eerie silence unnerved me.

And then I saw a shadow. Sitting on the couch, its posture was slightly leaned forward with its elbows resting on its knees.

My heartbeat ran fast. “Ace, is that you?”

And the only reply I got was silence.

FIFTY-NINE: STORMY NIGHT

“Ace?” I called again, but the shadow didn’t move.

Padding closer, I squinted. The lightning that cracked outside left a flash of luster on his face for a fleeting second. Stormy gray irises were set on me. But they were dark tonight. Much stormier than I ever encountered.

I let out a sigh of relief. “What the hell is wrong with you? You almost gave me a heart attack!”

When he didn’t answer, I found the switch and turned the lights on.

And there he was.

Still in his last night’s pants and a fresh black shirt, the one he must have worn before storming out, his disheveled form sat silently on the couch. Some of the buttons of his shirt were undone, giving me a sinful sight.

I missed him.

I mentally shook myself. It wasn’t a time to drool over him.

“So, you finally came back.” My tone was sharp.

I pressed my lips together when he just continued to stare at me with his icy gaze.

“I’m talking to you! Where were you the whole night and the entire day? I was going crazy out of concern!”

“You were concerned about me? I thought you were too busy spending time with your special friend.” His bitter voice came out with his head tilted to the side.

Special friend? What was he talking—

Oh!

But how did he find out about Warner? He wasn’t even here.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I held a straight face. “I don’t think it should bother you if I spend a little time with my friend.”

“Of course, it should bother me!” He snapped, standing straight. I flinched back at his thunderous voice. “My woman is getting cozy with her ex-boyfriend behind my back in my own house, and you’re saying it shouldn’t bother me? It does fucking bother me!”

I stilled.

Behind his back?

“Behind your back? What are you implying, Ace?” My voice came out as a whisper.

My chest tightened. How could he think I’d ever do that to him?

Shock flashed over his eyes in place of rage as realization of his own words hit him. “I meant…” Tone thick. “When I wasn’t present here. What was he doing here in my penthouse? How did you even let him in? Even after knowing how I feel about it? Even after knowing how he feels about you!”