Chapter 38

‎Cleo didn’t notice her friend sitting silently on the couch, lost in thought. Her mind was elsewhere, buzzing with excitement and anticipation. She was too preoccupied planning how she’d surprise Ryan she’d been thinking about nonstop. What would she bring along? What kind of gift would make him smile? The realization suddenly hit her: she didn’t even know what he liked.

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‎“Maybe next time I’ll bring something for him,” she mused silently, mentally bookmarking the thought for later. Just as she turned, her eyes landed on Claire, who hadn’t moved an inch. Claire seemed distant, her gaze fixed on nothing in particular.

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‎But what caught Cleo’s attention next was something unexpected.

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‎As Claire shifted slightly, the collar of her shirt slipped to the side, revealing a faint but unmistakable mark just above her collarbone, a kiss, or perhaps more than that. Cleo blinked, then leaned in slightly, her curiosity piqued.

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‎“Wow… I can’t believe what I’m seeing,” Cleo said, her voice a mixture of surprise and teasing amusement as she walked toward her friend.

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‎Claire's eyes snapped up, startled. In one swift motion, she pulled her collar tightly around her neck, attempting to hide the evidence. But it was too late.

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‎“What?” Claire said quickly, her voice defensive as she tried to act nonchalant. But the blush rising on her cheeks gave her away.

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‎“Don’t worry, I won’t ask anything right now,” Cleo replied, grinning slyly. “But trust me, you’re going to spill everything later. In detail.”

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‎Claire looked away, cheeks flushed and heart pounding. Cleo chuckled softly, watching her flustered friend with amusement, though a question lingered in her own mind, who had kissed Claire like that? And bitten her? The mark had clearly been left with intention.

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‎Cleo shook her head with a smirk, amused by the thought of Claire trying to keep it a secret. There was no way she’d get away with it for long.

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‎“Well, I’m heading out,” Cleo announced as she grabbed her bag from the counter. She paused by the door and glanced back, mischief glinting in her eyes. “You should go spend some time with Mr. Kisser.”

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‎She winked before slipping out the door, leaving Claire speechless and red-faced behind her.

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‎Cleo’s parting words echoed in Claire’s mind long after the door clicked shut.

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‎Mr. Kisser... The name alone sent a wave of mixed emotions through her. But only one name came to her mind: Edward.

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‎“No,” she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible. “Never. He’s a beast... a bastard beast.”

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‎Her eyes darkened at the memory, her fingers clenching involuntarily at her sides. Shaking off the thought, Claire stood up and headed toward her room in silence, determined to wash away the confusion and whatever lingering touch Edward had left behind.

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‎Cleo arrived at the grand Ryan Estate just as the sun began to set, casting a warm golden hue over the sprawling property. As she approached the ornate gate, she spotted the familiar security guard stationed at his post. She gave him a polite nod and a soft smile.

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‎"Good evening," she greeted warmly.

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‎The guard, recognizing her instantly, simply stepped aside, remembering Ryan’s strict instruction: “Never stop Cleo. She has full access.” Without hesitation, she passed through the gate and began walking down the long, winding path toward the main house.

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‎She moved with quiet grace, her heels clicking softly against the paved walkway. The towering buildings and manicured lawns surrounding her brought a wave of nostalgia crashing over her. It reminded her of home, a time before everything changed. It had been so long since she left her aunty’s estate, and now being here, in a place so reminiscent of her past, stirred something deep within her.

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‎As she approached the inner gate of Ryan’s personal residence, she reached out and pressed the button near the intercom. A gentle chime echoed inside, signaling her arrival.

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‎"Evening, ma’am," the estate’s inner security guard said after checking the monitor and confirming her identity. Without delay, he opened the gate, allowing her to step into the courtyard.

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‎Cleo nodded in thanks and proceeded toward the entrance of the main house. As she walked away, the guard hesitated, concern flickering in his eyes. He pulled out his phone and dialed the house phone, hoping someone, anyone, would answer. But after several rings, it went unanswered.

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‎He watched helplessly as Cleo reached the front door and slipped inside.

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‎Inside, the grand hallway welcomed her with silence, broken only by the distant murmur of voices. As she made her way toward the living room, her footsteps halted. A woman’s voice, faint but emotional, carried through the hall.

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‎"I love you… and I know you love me too. Please, let’s start over again,” the voice pleaded.

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‎Cleo’s heart sank. She didn't recognized but she was sure it's woman voice.

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‎Peeking around the corner, she saw Zoe standing before Ryan in the center of the lavish living room. Zoe’s eyes were filled with tears, her expression heartbreakingly pitiful, as if she were the victim of some unseen cruelty. To any outsider, it would seem like Ryan had wronged her terribly.

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‎“Yes… I do love you,” Ryan began, his voice low and conflicted. “And I’ve always imagined spending the rest of my life with you—”

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‎But he didn’t get to finish his sentence.

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‎The sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway, and in an instant, he turned sharply toward the noise. His chest tightened. His mind raced.

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‎Cleo?

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‎Without thinking, Ryan dashed out the front door and into the open yard, just in time to catch a glimpse of a figure running away, Cleo, her form retreating quickly down the path. His heart dropped.

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‎“Cleo!” he shouted, taking a step forward, only to be yanked back.

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‎A hand clutched his arm tightly.

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‎“Let me go,” he growled, his voice low and cold, as if thunder was about to break.

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‎But Zoe held firm, her eyes wide, streaming with tears. “No! I won’t! Is it because of her that you’re rejecting me now? You just told me you loved me! You said you wanted to spend your life with me!” she cried, her voice trembling between anger and desperation.

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‎Ryan turned to her slowly, his face dark with fury.

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‎“I hadn’t finished my words earlier,” he snapped. “Yes, I loved you… past tense. But not anymore.”

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‎Her grip loosened slightly, but he continued, his tone laced with venom.

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‎“You should’ve thought twice before you slept around. You betrayed me. Now, even looking at you disgusts me.”

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‎He ripped her hand off his arm and stormed away, his mind consumed with regret. His words, meant for closure, had come out in the worst way possible. He hadn’t meant for Cleo to hear them that way, hadn’t meant to hurt her.

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‎But now… she was gone. And he knew, deep down, that chasing her now might be too late.