Chapter 2

It was a cliché beginning, but I was just thrilled to finally step into his world.

I would wait until he finally saw me—or until I completely gave up hope.

Three years was long enough to burn out all my patience.

So, the moment I got the text that Vivian Sinclair was back, I decided to personally bring down the curtain on this long, one-woman show.

I booked a table at a Michelin-star restaurant and invited Sebastian.

I wore a black backless dress that made my skin look incredibly pale. It was a style I had never dared to wear before.

My collarbones stood out sharply. I even sprayed the perfume he liked best.

If he liked it, I wouldn't mind dressing like this forever.

The scar on my lower back—the one I got while saving his life years ago—was subtly exposed to the air.

I was no longer hiding my wounds.

Everything was set, except Sebastian was forty minutes late.

When he finally rushed in, his face wore his usual, intoxicatingly handsome look of apology.

I didn't even look at him. I turned to the waiter and ordered the most expensive bottle of red wine on the menu—a bottle that cost what I used to make in a year.

Sebastian froze, trying to stop me. "Chloe, this is a bit much..."

I raised my hand to cut him off, my voice so calm it surprised even myself. "I can afford it."

Of course I could.

After he took back control of Sterling Enterprises, he threw plenty of business resources my way, calling it "payback."

I took it all. I wasn't proud.

Having lived through extreme poverty and helplessness, I understood the power of money better than anyone.

I never wanted to go back to the days of begging people for loans just to cover hospital bills.

I swirled the wine in my glass like a proper socialite, but a drop of the dark red liquid spilled, staining the snow-white tablecloth like a drop of fresh blood.

I laughed, the sound ringing out a bit too clearly in the quiet restaurant.

Sebastian watched me, his eyes unreadable.

I didn't know how much I drank. My last memory of that night was the spinning chandelier and Sebastian’s strong arms carrying me out.

When I woke up, I was in a luxury hotel suite.

The air was filled with a rich, unfamiliar cologne.

Sebastian's face was inches away from mine, his skin flushed with an unnatural warmth.

My fingers were tightly gripping his collar. Two of his buttons had popped open, revealing his muscular chest.

Driven by some crazy impulse, I leaned up and pressed my lips to his.

His body went rigid. His hand instinctively reached up to push me away.

But I just laughed, leaning closer, our warm breaths tangling together. "Don't you want me?"

My voice was thick with alcohol, dripping with honeyed poison. "Or are you still waiting for Vivian?"

That name was like a bucket of ice water.

He froze instantly. His muscles tensed, and his entire body turned to stone.

See? Men are so predictable.

I let out a soft giggle, my fingertips tracing his burning skin. "Don't be so serious, Sebastian. Anyone would think I'm forcing you. Aren't you happy?"

He remained silent, but his hand suddenly moved.

His warm fingers gently brushed over my lips. His other hand slowly slid down to my lower back, tracing the raised scar with painful accuracy.

"Does it still hurt?" His voice was incredibly raspy.

My mask almost shattered right then and there.

I closed my eyes tight, my breath hitching in my throat.

His fingertips moved with a tenderness that felt almost like pity, tracing that ugly mark.

The next second, a soft kiss fell on the corner of my eye.

"Don't cry," he whispered.

Just those two words.

I knew right then—I had won, but I had also lost.

In this war I had so carefully planned, my heart had surrendered to him a long time ago.

I left before the sun came up.

The thick carpet of the hotel hallway swallowed all sound, like a silent goodbye.

Standing in the chilly morning breeze, I called my assistant, Amy. My voice was light, carrying just the right amount of gratitude. "Hey Amy, thanks for helping me pull off that stunt with the Vivian news. Yeah, I know you were just looking out for me. Sebastian just needed a little... push."

"I do feel a bit bad for Vivian, haha. Anyway, dinner's on me next time. How's that investment portfolio I recommended working out for you?"

I hung up, touched the fading scar on my lower back, and let a cold smirk slip onto my face.

Thank you, my beautiful old scar. The performance was a massive success.