Chapter 3

NATALIE’s POV

I was trembling as I fled the room, my body overwhelmed by a mix of guilt and embarrassment.

I hadn’t just made out with anyone. I’d kissed my ex’s uncle.

I rubbed my forehead and looked back at the door I’d just come out of. As my gaze landed on the number, something caught my eye, glinting faintly in the dim light.

1136.

I rummaged through my pockets until I found my keycard.

1139.

My room was three doors down.

The realization turned me sober instantly — Malcolm was right. It hadn’t been my room.

No wonder he’d said I was playing a game…

“Shit.” My palm pressed to my forehead as I tried to steady my breath, sharp and uneven.

I had just gotten my heart shattered, and now I’d walked straight into a scandal. What if someone had seen me go into Malcolm’s room?

And if word got out—

I knew better than anyone how dangerous gossip could be. How easily a single word could destroy everything.

I’d lived through it three years ago.

My breath immediately shuddered.

This wasn’t just a mistake. It was a disaster.

I barely noticed stepping out into the night, the cold air biting at my skin or the time skip, barely noticed hailing a cab. My head was still spinning. My fingers were numb as I fumbled with my new phone tightly.

I typed out a message, my fingers trembling.

< I’m sorry Malcolm. I was really drunk and went to the wrong room. Can we take it as nothing happened?>

This was the first time I’d messaged him in years. I hit send and waited, my breath catching as the screen stayed blank.

No reply.

A minute passed. Then two.

I clenched my phone tighter. Maybe he was asleep. Maybe he—

Three dots.

He’s typing.

My pulse was hammered. Then, just as quickly, they disappeared.

A lump formed in my throat as I typed again: uncle Malcolm?

Message failed to send.

I stared at my screen.

He had blocked me.

For a moment, I couldn’t move. Then, I exhaled a breath, shaky and hollow. He wanted to erase this night. No trace. No evidence. It was over before it began.

Great.That meant it could stay buried.

But relief was short-lived when the cab stopped.

When I got back to my apartment, I didn’t expect Lucas to be waiting for me inside.

The room was dim, quiet, but the moment I moved, a shadow stirred.

I should’ve thought of this earlier. If he couldn’t find me, he’d definitely come to this small place I rented. I stepped inside, already regretting it.

As soon as I stepped through the opened door, Lucas rushed over like he wanted to hug me. But when his eyes met mine, his movements froze. Slowly, he sank into a chair.

Bloodshot eyes locked onto mine.

“Natalie,” he rasped, his voice rough with impatience. “Where have you been since you left? Why do you smell like alcohol?”

“I’ll change the key tomorrow. Please don’t come here again,” I said quickly, avoiding his gaze. I moved toward the stairs, but his hand shot out, grabbing my wrist.

“We’re not breaking up. Come home with me.” he said, voice like steel.

I yanked my arm free. “We are! Did I not make that clear enough?”

“I told you I don’t love Vanessa,” he insisted, desperation leaking into his tone. “I love you. Just forgive me this time.”

“This time?” I let out a bitter laugh. “She fits into your life better than I do. Isn’t she always there, in our home, wearing my clothes, when I’m working late? Isn’t that why you don’t want me going with you on business trips? And you dare say you love me? You slept with her, but you wouldn’t marry me. You wouldn’t…”

I paused, memories suddenly back to when we were in the hospital, his relieved face on hearing I was miscarried, now everything made sense. “...Have a kid with me.”

His jaw tightened, but he flinched. “Could you stop holding that over my head? I was just playing with her! Don’t act like you’re the only victim here. You’re always pushing me, never letting me breathe! I’m still young. I’m not ready to be a father. Can you understand that?”

Something inside me snapped.

I shook my head, disgust curling in my stomach. “Unbelievable.”

Lucas moved before I could stop him, his lips crashing onto mine.

For one, fleeting second, I froze. The scent, the warmth—so familiar. But it instantly turned my stomach as memories of them together—naked, entangled—flashed in my mind.

Revulsion surged through me. I shoved him away so hard he stumbled.

“Don’t ever touch me again.” My voice was ice.

His eyes darkened. “You can’t leave me.”

Thank God, my phone buzzed, cutting through the disgusting dialogue.

I didn’t check before answering. “Hello?”

“You skipped the merger? I’ve told you how important this cooperation is! Didn’t you promise you’d nail this?” My mother’s voice cut through the phone, sharp enough to slice through bone.

Panic seized my chest.

“The merger was supposed to be tomorrow! Why was it moved to today?”

“Didn’t Vanessa tell you? She moved up the meeting. Get here now,” she snapped before hanging up.

I bolted for the door, barely registering Lucas reaching for me and offering me a ride, barely processing the cab ride. The moment I stepped into the venue, my blood turned to ice.

Vanessa was already on stage.

Holding the microphone. Holding my contract.

The ambassador handed her a pen, and as our eyes locked, she smirked.

A smug, knowing smirk.

My breath hitched. My stomach twisted violently.

“You’re late,” my mother hissed beside me, not sparing me a glance. Her eyes gleamed with pride as she looked toward the stage.

Three years of work—gone.