Like the prelude to a hurricane, the air between them is electrified.

Standing rooted, Louisa and Kingsley's eyes met in silent combat.

His jaw tenses and his fist clench at his sides as he considers the woman before him.

She's not the Louisa he thought she was.

She exudes a blazing strength that really surprises him.

He secretly blames himself. ‘How could I have been so wrong about her?’

He had anticipated a spectacle of desperation and pleading that he could manipulate.

Instead, she has used her sheer resolve to corner him, preventing him from maneuvering his way as usual, from using her past to bully her.

Kingsley inhales deeply...