Chapter 1

During our passionate relationship, Pierce Donovan disappeared from my life without a word.

He was fifteen years older than me. Since he was my uncle, I should’ve treated him with more formality, but our relationship crossed the line three years ago.

I still remembered that night—Pierce was drunk when he kissed me, finally admitting the love he’d kept buried for years. But the next morning, he left with nothing more than a simple goodbye, disappearing without a trace, and for three long years, I searched for him everywhere.

Now, standing at the door of room 603, seeing Pierce again, the warmth in his eyes, once filled with love, was gone. What replaced it was nothing but cold indifference. If it weren’t for the small mole near the corner of his eye, I would’ve thought I had the wrong person.

"Florence, we’ve broken up. Don’t come bothering me again."

His words were cold, piercing like a blade straight to my heart.

I stood there frozen, staring at his face which appeared both familiar and strange.

Just then, a woman’s voice suddenly sounded behind me.

"Pierce, who is she?"

I stiffened at the sound, my heart sinking as I turned to look.

Not far away stood an unfamiliar woman, wearing a fiery red mini dress that clung to her curves. Her golden curls cascaded over her shoulders, and her silver diamond earrings sparkled with every movement. She walked past me, her presence bold and seductive.

Under my gaze, the woman naturally strolled to Pierce’s side.

Pierce flashed a smile I once knew so well, yet now it felt foreign. His hand slid around the woman’s slim waist, pulling her into his arms, while his other hand slipped inside her neckline.

The woman melted against him, wrapping her arms around his neck, and kissed him.

I could even hear the wet sounds of their lips smacking.

Right in front of me, they kissed passionately.

My mouth hung open, my throat tightened, but no words came out.

Silent tears rolled down my cheeks.

After a long moment, Pierce finally let go, wiping the lipstick off his lips with a look of disgust. His gaze shifted back to me, full of disdain.

"Can’t tear your eyes away? Why are you still hanging around here? What, you want to join us? Sorry, but I’m not into women with no curves."

As he spoke, he and the woman beside him sized me up, his eyes filled with unmasked mockery, followed by a derisive chuckle.

It was only then that I realized just how humiliating my actions had been.

Lowering my head, I clenched my fists, unable to hold back the trembling in my voice. “Is she your new girlfriend?”

Pierce said nothing.

I knew my question was pointless.

With a bitter laugh, I stopped crying and turned to leave.

Just as I stepped outside the hotel, I heard the sound of fireworks bursting in the sky. Colorful sparks floated down in front of me, and I stood there for a moment, dazed, before noticing my best friend, Tanya Fall, standing at the entrance.

Tanya had bought the fireworks to celebrate my reunion with Pierce.

The moment I saw her, I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I collapsed into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

After I finished telling her everything that had happened, Tanya frowned deeply.

“That doesn’t make sense. I was the one who sent the driver to pick Pierce up when he returned. If there were another woman, I would’ve known. He’s probably trying to push you away by pretending to be with some random woman.”

She paused, thinking for a moment before pulling a gift bag from her car and shoving it into my hands. “Listen to me—wear this tonight and go find him…”