Owen’s lips were tightly sealed, his eyes swirling with a mix of emotions.
He glanced at Maya, a momentary guilt flickering in his gaze.
With a single look, Maya understood his decision.
As she expected, he paused briefly before speaking, “Alright, I’ll do as you say.”
As soon as the words were spoken, Maya felt her blood freeze. She gave a bitter tug at the corner of her mouth but re- mained silent.
Moments later, Owen instructed the bodyguards to surround her, escorting her out of the club, straight into the plane tree forest.
He had planted this forest himself because Maya had once mentioned her love for plane trees. He had worked three days and nights, nearly collapsing from heatstroke in the process.
Now, wielding an axe, he began chopping down each tree, erasing his hard work and their shared memory.
As each tree fell, Maya’s heart grew heavier.
After some time, the forest was gone, leaving only flat ground. Owen was soaked with sweat.
Without stopping, he took Maya directly to a tattoo parlor.
Observing Owen’s pallor, the tattoo artist paused, suggesting, “Mr. Kecith, perhaps a short break before we proceed with the tattoo removal? Your current state…”
“No need.”
Owen kept his gaze fixed, urgency etched in his eyes.
Maya pondered. “Just how scared was he of losing Jessica that he couldn’t spare even a moment?”
If he was so fearful, why involve her in this at all?
As the bodyguards pushed her onto the bed, Maya shut her eyes and softly brushed her fingers over the “Y” tattoo on her chest.
The one they had gotten together on their first anniversary three years ago.
She could still recall how Owen had tenderly traced the tattoo that day, professing his love with sincerity.
He had even taken pictures, claiming he wanted to keep them forever.
Looking back, it had all been a competition with Jessica.
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It was unfortunate that she hadn’t realized it at the time and had felt content for so long.
3
As the last traces of ink disappeared, an emptiness settled in Maya’s heart.
This was the last condition–three years of repeated intimacy.
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Water poured over her pale skin repeatedly. The scrubbing lady was relentless–soon Maya’s back was marked with red welts.
Yet, she bit her lower lip fiercely, determined not to make a sound.
When the water finally stopped running, Maya found herself laughing.
But it quickly shifted into a sob with every breath, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably.
Later that night, Jessica sent her a message.
It was a video, revealing those familiar, large hands massaging Jessica’s lower back, a ripped black silk slip entwined around his wrist. The two moved together, their breathing sharp and ragged, low gasps slipping from their mouths.
Maya recognized those hands all too well.
She had once grasped them through many moments of passion.
The video continued with Jessica’s teasing voice.
“Who do you enjoy more, me or that little stand–in?”
Owen replied, his voice thick with desire.
“Jessica, it’s always been you who holds a place in my heart.”
The video ended, quickly followed by Jessica’s messages.
“Did you know how eager he was tonight? He held me close all night, unable to take his eyes off me.
“We were together in his Maybach, his office, even the room you two shared. In just one night, he tried so many posi- tions he never attempted with you. I’m so sore that my legs are weak.”
The cold glow of the screen cast light on Maya’s face as she gripped her phone tightly, memories flooding back.
She once dressed seductively, hoping to seduce Owen in his car.
However, he frowned and shoved her away, insisting he was too particular and didn’t want the car tainted, his eyes showing clear disgust.
On another occasion, she’d faked being drunk and sat on his lap, gathering the nerve to meet his gaze for the first time during an intimate moment.
As soon as their eyes locked, all desire faded from Owen’s expression. He distanced himself, stating he didn’t want to engage in such activities at work.
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Chapter 4
When confronted with someone he genuinely liked, he couldn’t care less about anything else.
Maya responded with a sarcastic smile but kept silent.
Instead, she messaged her company, which promptly sent over a document listing the criteria for a stand–in for a new employer.
With limited time, Maya needed to rapidly adapt her actions and habits to meet these criteria.
She opened the photo, and as soon as it came into focus, she was stunned.
The person in the photo was her spitting image!
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