Elaine's blood ran hot through her veins.

The presence that she could not escape made her want to bolt.

She inhaled deeply. As she turned, the man caught her chin and kissed her fiercely and possessively.

Her mind was a whirl of irritation and confusion.

Part of her wanted to pull away.

He seemed to read her thoughts, nipping her lip in a warning. "Having second thoughts?"

However, before Elaine could respond, her eyes brimmed with tears.

The man laughed and locked eyes with her, a smirk playing on his lips. "You weren't scared when you were pushing your card into my hand."

Elaine could not blame anyone but herself; she had had too much to drink that night.

Spurred on by her friend, she boldly gave her card to the most dashing guy there.

Little did she know that he was Jasper's cousin, who was always overseas.

She had figured Stephen Carter would lose interest once he knew who she was.

Yet there he was, showing up for their date.

Elaine's voice tightened, and there was a whisper of urgency as she said, "They're right next door."

Stephen hummed a low note. "What's next?"

He gently turned her face to his, gazing deeply into her eyes. "Is this getting in the way of us?"

Elaine met his dark, penetrating gaze and felt exposed, as if he could see right into her soul.

For the last two years, Jasper's romantic escapades were relentless, his flings and affairs splashed across the tabloids were too many to count.

Stephen said, "Or are you holding out for him, keeping yourself pure?"

The words pierced Elaine's inner turmoil like a needle.

She paused, her heart racing, and then she made her move.

With a boldness that surprised even herself, she cradled his face, rose on her tiptoes, and pressed her lips to his.

Passion did not always need love to ignite into a blazing fire.

Elaine had not touched a drop of alcohol that night, yet she felt utterly drunk at the moment.

Lost in the intensity, she wrapped her arms around his neck, her short nails carving fervent trails across his skin.

As the night wore on, Elaine's mind wandered.

Thoughts of Jasper invaded her senses, unbidden and persistent.

Through her haze, the shrill ring of her phone pierced the silence.

Jasper, who had ended their call just two hours before, was on the other end.

Elaine picked up the phone and heard his voice—low, husky, and lazy. "Why are you calling me?"

"It's nothing," she replied, a sense of finality in her voice.

With a soft grunt, she said, "It's done."

A wave of vindictive satisfaction washed over her, a silent victory over Jasper.

Without another word, she ended the call.

Stephen noticed the redness at the corner of her eyes and gently wiped it away, murmuring, "My dear."

Elaine bristled at how he addressed her, as a mix of discomfort and embarrassment washed over her. "Please don't call me that."

Traditionally, she was supposed to refer to him as her husband's cousin.

Stephen's eyebrows knitted in a frown. "Aren't you two in the middle of a divorce?"

Elaine was taken aback, not expecting Stephen to know her personal affairs.

She was the one who had asked for the divorce.

Jasper had agreed without hesitation.

He had even swiftly set up a lawyer and drafted the paperwork.

Of course, he expected her to walk away empty-handed despite lacking a prenup or any division of assets.

However, Jasper had the means to leave her penniless after the divorce if he chose to.

The old Elaine could never have imagined Jasper turning his company's formidable legal force on her.

It was a harsh, icy slap of reality. There was not even a trace of their past affection.

Elaine took a refreshing bath and slipped into clean pajamas, but her respite was short-lived. Stephen's arms ensnared her once more, his kisses reigniting with an intense heat.

It was a long while before their fervor subsided.

Feeling drained and sticky with sweat, Elaine was too weary and drowsy to consider another shower.

She sat in a daze, her feet still not touching the floor.

Suddenly, someone caught her wrist. A deep, chilling voice cut through the silence. "Where do you think you're going?"

With a raspy voice, Elaine replied, "To take a bath."

"Got any energy left?" Stephen's voice was gentle.

Elaine was too spent to answer. Before she knew it, Stephen had swept her up and carried her to the bathroom.

They ended up sharing another bath, the steam or maybe the closeness turning her cheeks a rosy red. It was a detail she would keep to herself, too shy to share.

Jasper, her husband, had grown distant. His touch had become a memory. His visits home were rare, and those nights together? Even rarer.

The first six months were the hardest. She would confide in her friends, her voice tinged with shame as she said, "It's like he doesn't even want to touch me anymore. Am I that undesirable?"

He had lost interest in her.

However, no one could comfort her, just empty reassurances that Jasper must be blind.

It took her over half a year to start feeling a little better.

Then, all she wanted was to sleep, but Stephen's words cut through her haze. "You're not in the best shape, are you?"

She flushed with embarrassment but quickly brushed it off. There was no future with Stephen, Jasper's cousin, so why dwell on it?

The bed was empty when she woke up, but a note lay on the nightstand.

[Text me when you wake up. Found you a lawyer.]

Elaine stared at the elegant script, her mind a whirl. Was Stephen offering to help her divorce Jasper?

Elaine stopped herself from spiraling into a whirlwind of thoughts and resisted the urge to text Stephen.

The events of last night were a blur. It was a chapter she wished she could erase.

There was never supposed to be anything more between her and him.

She shredded the note and watched it swirl away in the toilet bowl. Stepping into the bathroom, she caught sight of her reflection—a face flushed with a healthy glow, as if it had been revitalized.

Her complexion had noticeably improved, and the usual sadness in her eyes seemed to have faded.

After getting herself together, Elaine grabbed her room key and headed out, ready to check out and leave it all behind.

However, fate had other plans. As she closed her door, another door clicked open.

Jasper emerged, locking eyes with her. His brows knitted, his gaze icy, and he watched her in silence, making her feel as though she might sweat under his scrutiny.

She was not without morals—guilt and regret gnawed at her.

Jasper's expression was unmistakable—pure disdain. It was as if his patience had evaporated. "Elaine, are you trying to get on my nerves?" he asked, his voice sharp as ice.

His words were few, but they hit her like a wave of rejection.

It was as if she was the one who could not take a hint, the unwanted shadow that would not leave his side.

Elaine inhaled deeply, trying to calm the tightness in her chest. "I told you last night—I had my own room," she said, her voice steady.

Jasper had doubted her then, and his disbelief was even stronger, certain she was desperate for his attention.

He studied her, and after a few seconds, a mocking smile crossed his lips. "Did you have fun eavesdropping on us all night?"

Jasper was angry, and his words cut deeper than just being mean. Then, he calmly said, "Mrs. Carter, if you'd told me about this little hobby of yours, I could've just brought a woman home next time.

"That way, you wouldn't have to go through all this trouble. It must be exhausting."

Elaine had never known Jasper could be so cutting with his words.

There were no curses or vulgarities.

Yet his remarks were so pointed and sarcastic that she could not stand it.

She felt like her heart was already torn to shreds by his words, bleeding out, but she still could not help feeling heartbroken.

The saying—Time changes everything—could not be more true for her and Jasper.

As she bit back the sting, Elaine shot back with a reply. "Don't kid yourself, Jasper. I'm not exactly pining for you."

Jasper gave her a look that was half-smirk, half-question. "Really?"

Elaine nodded firmly. "Absolutely. You were the one who said you wouldn't meddle in my personal life."

He had indeed said that to her, right after she saw a photo of him in the newspaper, cozying up to a movie star.

"Isn't it better to just do our own thing?"

She could still recall those words as if they were spoken yesterday.

Jasper looked at her up and down. "Maybe you're right."

He said, "Just try not to book the same hotel next time. It makes it tough for people not to get the wrong idea."

Elaine gave a half-smile. "Quite a coincidence."

Jasper said, "Mrs. Carter, we seem to be a magnet for coincidences."

Elaine fell silent, at a loss for words.

Maybe it was because she knew Jasper would not believe her anyway.

So she did not even try.

Her eyes briefly met the young girl next to Jasper, her eyes wide and innocent, then flickering with unease as she watched them.

The girl gripped Jasper's arm, her fingers showing no sign of letting go.

Gone was the shame of being the other woman she had felt the night before. She clung to him like a delicate flower in need of protection.

Elaine saw a ghost of her past self in her.

She had been that girl once.

As Elaine made to leave, Lucy caught her eye, a taunting smile playing on her lips, and she subtly gestured to her neck.

Elaine's gaze followed, taking in the pale, soft skin marred by a patchwork of love bites—the unmistakable signs of passionate affection.

Elaine could not help but chuckle.

She did—a real, audible laugh.

It was not until the pair had disappeared that she slowly stepped into another elevator.

Elaine's car waited outside. After checking out, she stepped into the fresh air only to spot Lucy again.

Jasper must have left on some errand, leaving his mistress waiting for the driver.

Elaine walked past her, without intending to strike up a conversation or flaunt her status.

However, the favored mistress, emboldened, was a stark contrast to the docile girl by Jasper's side. She called out, "Ms. Johnson."

Elaine paused before she turned to face her. "Yes? What is it?"

With a triumphant air, Lucy said, "I'm Mr. Carter's new favorite, so it's time for you to step aside. Love's gone; without it, marriage is like chewing on cardboard—it's enough to make you sick."

She was bathed in sunlight, her white dress cinching at the waist, showcasing her delicate figure.

She was undeniably youthful, stunning, and vibrant.

It was a sight that would catch anyone's eye.

Lucy's smile was tinged with pride as she boasted, "You saw it yourself, Mr. Carter adores me."

Then, she said, "As for you...

"I'm well aware he hasn't been home in ages."

Elaine gave a noncommittal hum, offering no argument.

She casually untied her scarf. With little concern, she said, "I've got one of those, too."