London

When she landed in London, Kim turned off her phone, took a taxi straight to the hotel Lucas had booked. Standing in the middle of the quiet, pristine room, she finally broke down and wept bitterly.

The hotel bar was half empty when Kim walked in. A tired-looking bartender had stopped asking if she was okay two drinks ago. She ordered her third, and then her fourth. The glass felt cold in her hand. The liquid burned as it went down, but she welcomed the sensation, it was the only thing she could feel anymore.

"You want another?" the bartender asked.

Kim nodded.

He poured. She drank.

The overhead lights began to blur, making her feel as though she were floating far away, watching herself from a distance.

Kim let out a short, hollow laugh into her glass.

"Another," she said.

The bartender hesitated, wiping down the counter. "Ma'am, maybe you should..."

"Another."

The world tilted on its axis. Kim gripped the edge of the bar as her vision spun out of focus. Through the haze, she noticed someone approaching. Lucas. It had to be Lucas. Kim pushed herself off the stool and stumbled toward him. Her legs barely worked, her footing uncertain.

"You," she slurred, her voice shaking. "You came back."

The man didn't respond. He simply stood there, watching her quietly.

"Why?" Her voice cracked. "Why did you leave me?"

Driven by a surge of drunken pain, she began hitting his chest with her fists.

"At the airport... you left me! You chose her. You always choose her!"

Her fists kept pounding against him. The man didn't move or make any attempt to stop her.

"Everything I gave you... the formulas, the fragrances, the sleepless nights... you took it all!"

She was sobbing now, her strength draining.

"And now she's pregnant. Your mistress... you gave her my position!"

She hit him harder, her hands aching, though she didn't care.

"She gets everything! What do I get, Lucas? What do I..."

Her knees buckled. Before she could hit the floor, strong arms caught her.

"Miss," a deep voice said gently.

Kim blinked, trying to clear her vision as the blurry face swam before her. To her haze-filled mind, it was definitely Lucas.

"You're drunk," he said quietly. "Where are you staying?"

Kim stared up at him as the room spun. "Room..." she mumbled. "Room 305."

"Which hotel?"

"You booked it yourself," she laughed, a broken, painful sound. "You booked the whole vacation. Rose petals. Champagne. Just like you promised."

The man's brow furrowed. "Miss, I don't know you."

"You don't know me," Kim repeated. The words felt heavy on her tongue. "No one knows me. I'm invisible. I've always been invisible to you."

Her eyes drifted closed as the darkness pulled her under.

"Room 305," she whispered. "Honeymoon suite. The one you booked."

Then, she felt nothing.

His hand touched the handle of the suite door.

"No, please..."

He turned around. The moonlight caught his face briefly, sharp cheekbones, tired eyes, a jawline remarkably similar to Lucas's, yet somehow softer.

"Please." Kim pushed herself up on the bed. The room spun around her, but she didn't care. "Please stay."

He hesitated. "You're drunk. You need to rest."

"I know." Her voice cracked. "But please... just this night. Just tonight. Tomorrow you can go back to her."

He stared at her in confusion. "I don't know what you are talking about," he said quietly.

"Please... just for tonight."

A long silence stretched between them. Finally, he let go of the door handle and walked slowly back toward the bed.

"I'll stay," he said. "But only until you fall asleep."

Kim nodded as he sat on the edge of the mattress.

"Lie down," he said gently. "You need to sleep."

She lay back down onto the soft sheets, the cool pillow comforting her face. Reaching out, she touched his arm.

"Please," she whispered. "Stay close. Just for a little while... thank you."

He didn't respond, but his arm came around her, gentle and protective.

Kim lost track of time as she drifted in and out of consciousness. Eventually, he lay down beside her. She moved closer, resting her head on his shoulder and placing her hand against his chest, feeling the steady, strong rhythm of his heartbeat. His lips touched her forehead first, then her cheek, and finally her lips, hesitant, as if waiting for permission. Kim kissed him back, holding on as if she were drowning. He was gentle, his hands cradling her face, her neck, and her waist, tracing every curve.

"Tell me if you don't want this, and I will stop immediately," he whispered against her skin.

Kim shook her head. "Don't stop."

She had never been touched like that before, as if she were worthy of tenderness. Between kisses, he pulled back slightly, resting his forehead against hers.

"I don't know this monster you're so terrified of," he whispered, his thumb tracing her cheek to wipe away a stray tear. "But you deserve better. So much better."

Kim closed her eyes.

"Whatever he did," the man continued, his voice low and fierce, "whatever he took from you... you deserve more. You deserve someone who sees you."

He continued to touch her, his hands moving over her body.

"And if you ever decide to leave him," he added, "if you ever feel like divorcing him, I'll offer my services for free."

Kim blinked through her haze. "Your services?"

"I'm a lawyer." A small smile tugged at his lips. "A very good one."

Kim let out a breathless laugh. "Are you serious?"

"Dead serious." He pressed his lips to her forehead. "No woman like you should ever be trapped with a man who makes her feel worthless."

He kissed her deeply again, sweeping her away into the moment. As he entered her, Kim melted into him. The world outside faded, the pain, the betrayal, the years of being used. When it was over, Kim curled tightly against his side, her head resting on his chest while his arm remained wrapped around her. She slept deeply. For the first time in years, she slept without dreaming about Lucas.

When Kim opened her eyes, the bed was cold and empty. He was gone.