Emily’s POV
Why do I feel so confused?
The question echoed in the silence Ilay left behind, with no answer forthcoming. My fingers rose to my lips again, as if they could decipher the truth my heart couldn't. The kiss had been... pleasant. Exciting, even. A masterclass in confident seduction. Ilay was everything Jin was not: straightforward, uncomplicated, and gloriously free of tortured family dynasties.
So why did my stomach clench with a vague sense of unease instead of soaring with liberation?
Because it was a reaction. A defiant, knee-jerk reaction to the soul-crushing pain Jin had inflicted. Kissing Ilay was like slapping a brightly colored bandage on a gaping wound. It looked bold and brave, but did nothing to stop the bleeding underneath.
I had wanted to feel powerful. In cont
