A Birthday Surprise and a Declaration of War

**AURORA**

The sensation of being watched pulls me from sleep. My eyes flutter open, and I freeze. A woman stands at the foot of Kian's bed, watching us with calculating eyes. Not his sister, as I'd feared in my half-asleep state, but somehow worse.

Zara. Kian's ex-wife.

She's stunning in that effortless way that makes other women hate her on sight—sleek dark hair, flawless makeup despite the early hour, and a cream-colored dress that probably costs more than my monthly rent.

"Good morning," she says pleasantly, as if finding her in our bedroom is perfectly normal.

I clutch the sheet to my chest, heart hammering. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Beside me, Kian stirs, his arm tightening around my waist before his eyes snap open.

"Zara?" His voice is instantly alert, body tensing. "How did you get in?"

She dangles a key between manicured fingers. "I still have this, remember?"