Vaughn wakes up from an accident with no memory—but the moment he sees Elian, his body reacts before his brain can catch up. Alton tells him Elian was his kept lover for two years, the only man who never made him break out in hives. Vaughn doesn’t believe it—until Elian tries to leave, and Vaughn’s knees hit the floor on instinct. When his memory returns, he remembers everything: the contract, the money, the way he used love to control. He deletes the tracking app, hands over the keys, and waits outside Elian’s door. Days later, Elian shows up at his cramped apartment with a suitcase. “Not a contract this time,” he says. “I’m choosing to come back.”
