Gilbert picked up a piece of steak and calmly began cutting it into bite-sized pieces. "We can talk afterward."Halsey let out a cold laugh. "What exactly do you want from me? With your status now, you could have any woman you want. Why won't you stop bothering me? Don't tell me you're actually in love with me."Gilbert paused mid-cut and looked up at her. "What if I told you I really am?"Halsey's tone sharpened. "Do you even know what love is? You said you loved me, but you betrayed me.""I'm done with Sienna," Gilbert replied. "Can't you let that go?""Once a cheater, always a cheater! You don't love me. You're just jealous that I'm with Shaun. Let's be real—guys like you can't stand being rejected. You can't accept that a woman doesn't want you. That possessiveness, that need to win—it's not love. It's just your ego acting up!"Gilbert shot back, "No! I really do love you!""Enough! Even if you did, do you even know what love is? Your idea of love is that if you can't have
Halsey left after one phone call?Shaun frowned, his brow furrowed tightly. "Do you know who called her?"Martin shook his head. "I'm sorry, I don't.""Got it. You can go.""Alright."Martin left the room.Shaun, tall and lean, stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows. He tugged at his tie slightly. Halsey had promised to wait for him in his office, and they were supposed to have dinner together tonight. She agreed. And yet, she left.They had just gotten back together last night. Shaun didn't want to be apart from her again—not ever.He pulled out his phone, opened their chat, and started typing.[Where did you go?]Before he could hit send, his phone rang.He answered, "Hello, who's this?"A familiar voice came through. "Mr. Lane, it's me."It was Gilbert.Shaun's face didn't change. "Gilbert. Why are you calling me?"Gilbert chuckled. "Are you looking for Halsey right now?"Shaun's eyes darkened. "Is she with you?""Yeah, she is. We're having lunch together."
Martin glanced at Shaun and pointed to his neck. "Mr. Lane, do you want to cover up that hickey?"Shaun looked in the mirror and saw the mark Halsey had left on his neck last night. He raised an eyebrow, clearly in a good mood. "No need. Let's go."Shaun headed out with Martin. As they passed by, the employees greeted him respectfully. "Good morning, Mr. Lane."Shaun walked steadily toward the conference room. As soon as he passed, everyone started whispering."Did you guys see that hickey on Mr. Lane's neck? Someone actually gave him a hickey!""The meeting that was supposed to start at 9:00 AM got delayed. All the execs were waiting for him. Word is, he's hiding someone in his office. They just woke up together.""Wanna bet what happened in there last night?""Pfft, I think everyone knows exactly what happened."The gossip spread like wildfire.Meanwhile, Halsey had just gotten up and stepped into the office. Martin had already arranged breakfast for her."Good morning,
Shaun asked Halsey to be his girlfriend.She was single, and he wasn't married either. Honestly, it made perfect sense for them to be together now.But there had still been that three-year gap between them. Halsey, blushing slightly, said softly, "I'll have to think about it."Shaun raised an eyebrow. "I'm not giving you the option to think. I've already decided—you're my girlfriend now."Then, he kissed her.Halsey felt a warm and sweet sensation in her heart. He was so overbearing, but in the best way.-Shaun carried Halsey into the CEO's office and helped her take a shower. Then, being extra gentle, he laid her down on the bed.She was completely exhausted and fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.Shaun showered quickly, then got into bed beside her. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. After three years and six days, she was finally back in his arms.He kissed her forehead deeply and whispered, "Goodnight."-When Halsey woke up, it was to the
Halsey's pale eyes were tinged red. "You could've just told me."Shaun looked at her beautiful face. "Back then, you were a rich, elegant heiress, while I was just a broke nobody. I didn't deserve you. I couldn't drag you into something dangerous because of my problems."Halsey buried her face against his neck. "You're such an idiot."Shaun held her tightly. "It's all in the past now."Halsey looked up at him. "Then what happened to your face? And if that marriage was fake… Why didn't you come find me these last three years?"At the mention of his face, Shaun's eyes turned cold. "You really don't know what happened to me?"Halsey froze. "What do you mean? I don't understand."Shaun pressed his lips together but didn't answer.Halsey grew anxious. "Why won't you say anything? What happened to your face? What—"Just then, a soft ringtone broke through the air. Her phone started ringing. She glanced down and saw the name on the screen—Gilbert.Gilbert was calling her.Shaun s
Shaun climbed into the back seat. Halsey opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, Shaun cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.She let out a soft sound and melted against him. Shaun wrapped his arms around her waist, lifted her onto his lap, and deepened the kiss."Where are we?" Halsey asked, breathless.Sensing her hesitation, Shaun said gently, "The parking garage under my company. Don't worry. Nobody ever comes here."Halsey finally relaxed. She wrapped her arms around his neck and reached up to touch his mask.Shaun tilted his head away. "What are you doing?""I want to take your mask off. Doesn't it get uncomfortable wearing it all the time?"Shaun said, "What if you lose interest once you see my face?"Halsey raised an eyebrow. "Only one way to find out."She reached up and pulled the mask away, revealing his face underneath.Shaun muttered, "Maybe I should put it back on.""Are you serious? You're doing all this with me and still hiding behind a