Kehlani hopped into the car, and as Alia Daniels floored the gas, she nearly flew out of her seat. She steadied herself and grabbed the dress from the backseat. "Alia, are we heading into battle or something? Why am I dressed like a Victorian peacock?"
"Just trust me. Would I ever steer you wrong?"
Kehlani decided to just roll with it. Alia had a knack for making a splash no matter the occasion. The sports car zoomed through the streets and pulled up to the venue in under twenty minutes. Alia linked arms with her and strolled right up to the usher, handing over their invites with total confidence. They made a bold entrance into the ballroom.
"Alia, what even is this party?"
"A singles' mixer hosted by Mr. Mason. You officially joined the single ladies' club today after signing those divorce papers with Ezrah, right? Listen, this place is crawling with top-tier catches. Choose your next partner wisely."
"Yeah, sure."
Kehlani thought about bailing, but Alia held her tight. "Kehlani, where do you think you're going? Can't you just be a little brave for once? The fastest way to get over someone is to jump into something new and stop overthinking everything."
Alia might've been tiny, but she had a grip like steel, leaving Kehlani no choice but to stay put. Under the sparkling chandelier, Alia started introducing her to a parade of successful people, but Kehlani barely paid attention.
"Alia, listen, about me and Ezrah—"
"Jason! Hey, Jason!" Alia waved at a drop-dead gorgeous, drop-dead gorgeous guy nearby, then leaned in and whispered fast, "Kehlani, we'll chat later. I just spotted my dream man. Take your time mingling, okay?"
Before Kehlani could even open her mouth, Alia shot off like she was on a mission. Left to herself, Kehlani wandered over to the dessert table and snagged a slice of spiced honey cake while eyeing the exotic fruit at the next station.
The cake was melt-in-your-mouth good—sweet but not too cloying—and platters of figs, passion fruit, and perfectly ripe berries were extra juicy and bursting with flavor.
Suddenly, a voice startled her. "Well, aren't you something. While all the other women are out here fishing for rich husbands, you're just enjoying the spread."
She nearly dropped her plate. When she looked up, she found herself face-to-face with Maverick Kane—none other than Ezrah's fiercest business rival.
"Do you know who I am?" Maverick asked.
Kehlani shook her head fast, but he continued anyway. "Well, now you do. Hi, I'm Maverick Kane. May I have the pleasure of getting to know this lovely lady?"
---
Back at the hospital, Ezrah Lawrence only remembered Kehlani. Everyone else was a total stranger. Laylah Ortiz and Aviana Holmes were buzzing around him like flies, and Laylah in particular wouldn't stop trashing Kehlani. Ezrah had had enough.
His sharp eyes cut straight to Laylah. "Kehlani is my wife. Do you think it's appropriate to badmouth her right in front of her husband?"
"But Ezrah, I'm your mother," Laylah protested, all wounded and dramatic.
Ezrah's gaze only got icier. He turned to Yael Bishop. "Get them out of here. Their chattering is giving me a headache."
Ezrah had always been distant and rarely got tangled up in family drama. Now, he was even less in the mood to listen. Yael gestured toward the door. "Ms. Ortiz, Mr. Lawrence needs his rest. It's best if you and Ms. Holmes leave for now. You know what he's like when he's pushed."
Aviana, sensing there was zero point in arguing, gently tugged Laylah's arm. "Let's just go, Ms. Ortiz. Ezrah just woke up—he really needs to rest."
Laylah hesitated, but then finally followed Aviana out of the room.
Once they were gone, Ezrah fixed his attention back on Yael. "Find out where my wife went. I want her exact location in ten minutes."
Even with the amnesia, that demand was pure Ezrah. "Yes, Mr. Lawrence."
Yael, the ever-efficient assistant, tracked down Kehlani's movements fast. In just five minutes, he was back—though he looked anything but eager to deliver the news. "Mr. Lawrence, Mrs. Lawrence signed a lease for a new apartment after she left the hospital. Then she attended an event with Ms. Daniels."
"What kind of event? I wasn't aware she enjoyed social gatherings."
Yael wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Well, it's... um... a singles mixer —"
Crash! Ezrah slammed his fist down so hard he nearly shattered the table in front of him. "A singles' party? So she's single now, out shopping for a new man? Who the hell gave her the nerve?"
Yael hadn't seen Mr. Lawrence this livid in years. He took a careful step back.
Ezrah started to get up from the hospital bed, and when Yael opened his mouth to protest, Ezrah silenced him with a steel-cold stare. "Take me to find my wife. Say one more word, and you're fired."
Yael figured silence was his safest bet.
---
Back at the lively party, Alia was deep in conversation with Jason. Ready to take things elsewhere, she bounced over to Kehlani to say goodbye.
"Kehlani."
Alia's eyes lit up when she noticed the devastatingly handsome man standing beside her friend. She practically beamed. "Not bad, Kehlani. This gorgeous guy is leagues ahead of that jerk you were with before—a real treasure."
Just then, Ezrah Lawrence stepped into the party and caught that last comment. His dark eyes narrowed as he froze in place.
Alia patted Kehlani's shoulder and raised an eyebrow at Maverick. "Hey, handsome, Kehlani’s one of the good ones—the realest girl in this room. You've got great taste. She’s light-years better than that jerk. But she’s been burned before, so you better bring your A-game if you want to win her over."
Alia was all about grabbing the moment, keeping her head clear so she wouldn't miss a beat. "Kehlani, I'm out. Bye-bye!"
She spun to leave and nearly jumped out of her skin when Ezrah's stern face suddenly appeared in front of her. "Ez... Ezrah, what’s with the bandage on your head? Going for the brooding hero vibe?"
The joke fell completely flat. Awkward silence.
She stammered, "Y-you here for a date, too?"
Kehlani was just as stunned, her shock mirroring Alia's. Ezrah's deep, furious voice sliced through her thoughts. "I'm only here to find my wife."
In one swift motion, he grabbed Kehlani’s wrist and yanked her to his side. "Kehlani, who gave you permission to come here? You think I'm not around?"
Ezrah was raging, and the consequences of that rage were never good. In the past, Kehlani would've scrambled to apologize, terrified of upsetting him. But after making up her mind to divorce him, she decided right then that his moods were no longer her problem.
"Ezrah, let go. In front of all these people, do you seriously think it's okay to drag me around? What happened to your gentlemanly conduct? Your elegance?"
"Come home with me."
