It was a Friday night when it happened. Kay had a long day at work and told Ravi she was staying over at her friend’s house in San Fernando.

  She didn’t expect him to be in the area.

  She didn’t expect his car to be parked across the road from the gas station near Zayn’s street.

  She especially didn’t expect to step out of Zayn’s car—her lipstick smudged, wearing one of Zayn’s oversized tees—laughing as she kissed his cheek goodbye… and freeze.

  Because there, across the street, stood Ravi.

  He didn’t say a word. Just stared.

  Zayn’s body tensed beside her. “Ravi…”

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  But Ravi held up a hand. “Don’t. Just—don’t.”

  Kay ran to him. “Ravi, please—”

  You lied to me,” he growled, his voice low and shaking. “After everything, Kay? After what I told you? You’re back with him?”

  “Ravi, I love him,” she said, tears already threatening to fall. “I never stopped.”

  Ravi turned to Zayn, eyes full of betrayal and fury. “You… You said you respected me. You said you’d stay away.”

  “I tried,” Zayn replied, calm but intense. “I tried for months. But we couldn’t stay apart. I love her, Ravi. I always have.”

  “You don’t deserve her.”

  “Maybe not,” Zayn said. “But I’ll fight every damn day to prove I do.”

  Ravi shook his head, stepping back. “You’re dead to me,” he muttered to Zayn. Then he turned to Kay, his voice breaking. “And you? Don’t come to me when he ruins you again.”

  Ravi—!”

  But he was already walking away.

  Kay cried in Zayn’s arms that night, her heart torn. But Zayn held her tighter than ever, his lips pressed against her temple.

  “We’ll get through this,” he whispered. “We have each other now. I’m not letting go again.”

  And she believed him.

  Even if the world stood against them—this time, they wouldn’t back down.