Yasmin had always had healthy self-esteem from being raised in a wonderful home with a caring family. When she was a child, her mom would brush her hair and help her get ready for bed, declaring that she was the prettiest princess she’d ever seen. Her father would help her with her school projects, telling her what a smart little cookie she was. And Aisha would dote on her younger sister, playing puzzles with her and reading books. She never balked at having to babysit or take her baby sister with her when she went out with her friends. She always showed Yasmin off like the proud older sister she was.

So Yasmin was being realistic when she said she wasn’t the most beautiful or unique woman on the planet. Not someone that should have caught a man like Volkan’s attention. A man who had looks, wealth, and power. Sure, he lacked charm and a solid moral compass, but when it came to money, as Volkan was fond of pointing out, people were willing to let him get away with a lot.

But Volkan couldn’t seem to see her clearly. Not her personality, not her looks, not anything about her. He was delusional and obsessed with the idea of her, rather than the reality. Eventually, something would have to give. Either he would wake up and see her for who she was, or she would succumb to his plan and Stockholm would drive her into his arms. Or the third option, she’d figure out how to get away from her psycho admirer and go into hiding until his obsession dimmed.

“What’s that look?” he asked, reaching out to wrap his fingers around hers on the Champagne glass. He lifted the bottle from the ice bucket and topped up her glass. “You seemed sad for a moment.”

“I was thinking about my family,” she admitted, setting her glass on the table. The intimate way Volkan had wrapped his hand around hers unsettled her.

“I would prefer you think of us.” His words were hard and she sensed an underlying jealousy.

“This right here is the reason I broke up with you,” she said to him, taking the risk of angering him in an effort to get him to see that his jealousy was both unnecessary and disturbing. “You can’t dictate my thoughts and I won’t allow you to take my family from me.” When he looked like he would argue, she continued, “I know you can take me away from them physically. You’ve already done that. But no matter what you do, you can’t stop me from thinking about them. From remembering them and loving them from afar.”

“Your defiance isn’t amusing,” he said with a growl. “You’re supposed to be focusing on us. You said you would settle down if I promised to leave your family alone. That you would try to love me.”