Fredric’s POV

Why?

Why the hell do I feel so worked up — so angry — just thinking about that man? I’ve tried to stay calm, but my head keeps replaying the image of Mathilda with him. It’s eating at me, this irritation I can’t explain. Do I… do I actually feel jealous?

No. No way.

Me? Jealous — over Mathilda? That’s ridiculous. Impossible.

“Baby, what are you thinking about?” Paula’s voice broke through my thoughts, light and playful. “You’ve been sitting there all quiet, head down. That’s not like you. Don’t you want to enjoy me? I even bought new lingerie just for today.”

Her chatter grated on me. I wanted her to stop talking, to just stop. I wasn’t in the mood for her seductive nonsense. But I couldn’t let her realize that what was actually bothering me was… that man with Mathilda.

“You’ve been acting weird ever since you saw that guy,” she said, squinting at me. “Are you upset? Jealous, maybe?”

I turned to her sharply. “No. Why would you even say that? Why would I be jealous?”

“The