Chapter 9

The grand conference hall of the five-star hotel shimmered under the golden glow of its chandelier. Soft music drifted through the air, mingling with laughter and the rhythmic clinking of champagne glasses. The scent of expensive perfume and the rustle of elegant evening gowns completed the illusion of a flawless night.

Alyssa stood near the edge of the room, radiant in a midnight-blue satin gown. Her hair was neatly pinned up, and confidence radiated from her every movement. No one would have guessed that this graceful woman — now a rising name in the business world — had once been thrown out of her own home.

She was in the middle of discussing the company’s latest expansion project with a group of investors, her tone calm yet firm. Each word was precise, thoughtful — the mark of someone who had rebuilt herself piece by piece. Every now and then, her gaze flicked toward the other end of the room, where Ethan was speaking with media representatives.

But that small bubble of peace shattered in an instant when a familiar voice sliced through the noise.

“I almost didn’t recognize you, Alyssa.”

Her heart skipped. That voice — cold, sharp, unforgettable.

She turned slowly.

And there he was — Rafael.

Dressed in a tailored black suit, his usual arrogant smile curved at the corners of his lips. His gaze swept over her like a man assessing an old possession he regretted giving away.

“Rafael,” Alyssa said evenly, her voice calm though her chest tightened. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

He stepped closer — too close. The faint scent of alcohol clung to him, enough to betray that he’d been drinking before coming.

“How could I miss such an important conference?” he said smoothly. “Especially when I heard my ex-wife was being honored as a special guest. You’ve climbed the ladder rather fast, haven’t you, Alyssa?”

His tone sounded polite, but his eyes gleamed with mockery.

Alyssa didn’t respond. She met his gaze steadily, refusing to let him see her flinch. But Rafael wasn’t done. He leaned slightly closer, his voice dropping to a whisper meant only for her.

“Or maybe,” he murmured, his breath brushing her ear, “you’ve simply moved on faster than expected. Does another man’s touch satisfy you that easily, Alyssa?”

The words stabbed like a blade — cold, cutting, cruel.

Her breath caught in her throat. She wanted to speak, to slap him, to scream that she wasn’t the woman he thought she was. But her tongue felt heavy, trapped by the ghosts of the past she thought she’d buried.

Rafael’s smirk widened when he saw the flicker of pain cross her face. “Don’t be shy,” he mocked. “You’ve always known how to find comfort. Only this time, you picked someone richer, more powerful. Clever girl.”

His chuckle sliced through the air, drawing subtle glances from nearby guests. The tension between them was unmistakable.

Alyssa’s voice finally came out — low and steady. “Stop it, Rafael,” she said. “You have no right to speak to me like that.”

“Oh, I don’t?” he sneered. “You think I don’t know who you really are? You’re still using another man’s name to prove your worth. Deep down, you’re still the same — a woman who can’t survive without a man’s protection.”

Her jaw clenched. The anger burned, but she swallowed it down. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her break.

And then—

“Enough.”

The single word cut through the air like thunder.

Rafael turned.

Ethan stood behind Alyssa, dressed in a charcoal-gray suit, his expression calm yet icy. His steps were deliberate as he approached, and without hesitation, he placed a steady hand on Alyssa’s shoulder, pulling her just slightly closer.

The gesture was subtle, but it shifted the entire energy of the room. Conversations quieted. All eyes turned toward them.

Ethan’s gaze locked onto Rafael’s — sharp, unwavering. “I don’t know what made you think you had the right to talk to her that way,” he said quietly, his voice calm but heavy with warning. “But if you came here to insult Alyssa, I suggest you leave before I stop being polite.”

Rafael let out a short, mocking laugh. “You think I’m afraid of you? I was only reminding her who she really is.”

Ethan didn’t flinch. “You might have known her once,” he replied, voice low but precise. “But the woman standing beside me now is not the same one you could manipulate. You lost that right the day you walked away.”

The words hung in the air, sharp as glass.

Alyssa’s eyes glistened. For once, her tears didn’t come from pain — but from something else. Relief. For the first time, someone wasn’t speaking for her out of obligation, but with her, out of genuine care.

Rafael’s smirk faltered. He studied Ethan, his jaw tightening. “You’re confident, Ethan. But tell me — how long do you think she’ll stay with you?”

Ethan’s voice remained steady. “For as long as she chooses. Unlike you, I don’t need to hold on to someone through threats or humiliation.”

The jab landed. Rafael’s expression darkened, his mask cracking for a split second. He turned his glare back to Alyssa — a mix of anger, regret, and twisted pride. Then, without another word, he pivoted sharply and strode toward the exit, the eyes of curious guests following his every step.

Silence lingered. Then the music slowly swelled again, filling the air with uneasy calm.

Ethan turned to Alyssa, his hand still resting gently on her shoulder. “Are you okay?” he asked softly.

Alyssa nodded, though her voice trembled slightly. “I just… I don’t want him to ever see me weak again.”

Ethan exhaled, his gaze kind. “He doesn’t have that power anymore, Alyssa. Let your past stay where it belongs.”

She looked up at him — and for the first time, saw not just a colleague or a partner, but someone who understood. Someone who wasn’t trying to fix her, only to stand beside her.

The chandelier light glimmered across her gown, reflecting a soft silhouette on the marble floor. Amid the gentle hum of renewed chatter, Alyssa straightened her posture beside Ethan.

She knew the wound wasn’t fully healed — not yet. But tonight, she realized she no longer had to face it alone.