Chapter 72

"It wouldn't have happened if I'd known. And known about what?"

"Botan," he spits the name like venom. "Botan's men did this to me. Tell me, Avara—" his voice cracks, heavy with accusation, "—is that the kind of man you want in your life? Because I thought Haru Black and everything tied to him is the shadow over your life. But Botan?" He lets out a bitter, hollow laugh. "Haru might be one of the most powerful men in the world, but even his power comes from Botan. Botan—because he's the most feared." His gaze locked onto mine with searing intensity. "I want to hear it from you. Is there something between you and Botan Kiyosaki?"

His words are a dagger, carving into places I didn't think could hurt anymore. My breath catches, my chest tightening as shame, guilt, and something far more complicated rise like a storm within me.