“He’s just possessive! A foster uncle pissed because I’m with you!” Joy cried out in panic, tears streaming as she scrambled to defend herself.

Inside, she prayed Gio would swallow the flimsy lie whole. Anyone with half a brain would see how suspicious her explanation was.

Unfortunately for Joy, Gio wasn’t that naïve. Precisely because he loved her, he knew Robert’s rejection was the fallout of a betrayal—something far deeper than an uncle‑niece bond.

He wanted to rage, ...