?Chapter 4:


    Ste’s final words hit harder than any p. The way she called him “husband” carried weight. It wasn’t just to remind him of their rtionship but more like a warning. As if she really might walk out and find someone else… just like that.


    Marc’s hand mped tighter around her wrist, his voice low and livid. “Don’t you dare.”


    His grip was so tight it felt like he might snap a bone.


    But that was nothingpared to the ache in her chest. Ste felt as if something had pierced right through her heart, each heartbeat twisting the knife deeper.


    She met his eyes, pain and disbelief swimming in hers. “So you do know you’ve gone too far,” she whispered.


    Marc froze for a second, then shoved her away like her words had burned him. “I told you, Haley and I didn’t cross any line. But if you want to go and get yourself a malepanion—do what you want.”


    Her wrist throbbed, the ache spreading through her arm. But it was her heart that hurt more.


    She gave him a slow, mocking smile. “You said it, so when it happens, don’t you dare y the victim.”


    Without another nce, she turned, got into the car, and mmed the door. Marc ran after her, banging on the window. “Ste!” But before he could pull the door open, Jazlyn and Haley caught up, each grabbing an arm to hold him back.


    The moment passed, and Ste didn’t wait around. She stepped on the gas and left them behind in a roar of tires.


    The bar was drenched in neon lights and thick smoke, packed with people trying to escape their loneliness.


    Ste sat slouched in a booth tucked in the corner, already tipsy from drinking too much.


    She had seen the betrayal with her own eyes. Now, every bitter truth crashed into her, cutting through her like des, mixed with memories that used to be beautiful.


    Let your imagination soar with gα?ησν????s．?ο??


    “Excuse me.” A deep, smooth voice pulled her out of her thoughts, and her mind returned to the present in an instant.


    She blinked, lifting her head. There he was—tall andposed, his legs long and poised in tailored ck trousers.


    His jacket was open, revealing a crisp ck shirt tucked neatly into his belt, highlighting a slim, well-toned waist. His frame was strong, his chest broad. A sharp jawline, well-shaped lips, and eyes that seemed to see right through her. He was dangerously attractive.


    Without a second thought, she pulled him down onto the sofa, climbed onto hisp, and yed with his tie, her breath warm and sweet.


    “Wanna be my one-night stand?” she whispered boldly.


    Her fingers lightly brushed his chest. Her eyes sparkled, yful and seductive. “Trust me, we’d enjoy ourselves.”


    She sat up and swayed slightly, tempting like a me dancing in the dark, teasing him.


    She could feel herself losing control, letting her pain take over. But the man just stared at her with an unreadable expression, not even slightly tempted. It made her feel ridiculous, like she was performing alone on a stage. Whatever heat had been building inside her vanished in an instant.


    What if he was already with someone? Was she really about to be another Haley?


    The thought made her sick.


    A bitter smile curved her lips. She let her head rest lightly against his chest, trying to pull herself together.


    Because of Marc, she had nearly turned into the very kind of woman she couldn’t stand.


    “Sorry… I drank too much,” she murmured, retreating into her seat. She curled up in the corner and finished another ss in a single gulp. She didn’t move until the man stood and walked away. Only then did she get up unsteadily and vanish into the night.


    That night, Marc didn’te home.


    As for Ste, she embraced the quiet and the peace it brought.


    The following morning, she went straight to the research center.


    Even though her participation had already been approved, she still needed toplete some paperwork.


    Lainey, who was sorting project files nearby, suddenly looked up with a cheeky grin on her face.


    “Hey Ste, did you hear? This project’s getting serious attention from the higher-ups. There’s a VIP joining us—super rich,es from a powerful family, and still single. Aren’t you even a little curious?”


    “Why would I be?” Ste replied tly, still looking at her research notes, not the least bit interested.


    The Hookwood Research Institute had a strong reputation, and she’d seen plenty of wealthy heirse around just to boost their image.


    “But this guy’s on another level,” Lainey said, leaning over Ste’s desk. “Come on, with your looks and charm? You could have any man eating out of the palm of your hand. Once the research kicks off, your records vanish, your marriage to Marc wiped clean like it never happened. Just picture it—walking in with someone powerful and drop-dead gorgeous, letting Marc see exactly what he lost. Tell me that wouldn’t feel amazing.”


    Ste finally looked up. Her eyes were clear but cold. “That’s petty. Marc will lose much more than that.”


    Just then, there was a knock at the door.


    It was an administrative coordinator, letting them know it was time to head to the meeting room and meet the rest of the project team.


    “Do you think the VIP’s here already?” Lainey said excitedly, grabbing Ste and rushing toward the meeting room.


    “Wait, I haven’t even packed my stuff,” Ste said, holding her folder close as she tried to keep up. When they got there, she quietly took a seat in a corner and focused on her files.


    She didn’t look up until a round of apuse echoed through the room. Then, slowly lifting her head, she locked eyes with a man whose gaze was intense and powerful.


    Her heart gave a sudden jolt. She nced down and saw the same soft lips she remembered from the night before—lips that looked far too tempting. How could it be him?


    .


    .


    .