"I assume you remember what you did to keep me around in the past. It's been so many years now, yet you haven't changed. Moreover, our marriage was nothing but the result of your schemes. Logically speaking, you should've hated me at that moment—despised me even. It wouldn't surprise me if you wanted to torture me as revenge, yet you chose to marry me. I then suspected you were stuck in the past. You can't stand that I left you, and it hurt your pride. Your desire for conquest is at play, and you can't accept this outcome."Vicky's words flowed calmly. "I know that obsessive-compulsive disorder is also a form of mental illness. Perhaps you won't be so fixated on me once you recover. While you're still ill, it might be impossible to get a divorce. However, once you're hypnotized and forget about me, you should be able to accept the divorce."They were not that far from each other, yet Tyler felt so distant from her."Everything I've done for you is all just my obsessive-compulsive di
He set down his spoon with a firm 'clack'.Vicky looked at Tyler with a hint of lingering fear in her eyes.Tyler's gaze darkened. "Don't even think about divorce. As for hypnosis... That's never going to happen either."With those words, he stood up—leaving his breakfast untouched—and walked away.As she watched him leave, Vicky fell into deep thought.After Tyler's departure, Vicky immediately dialed Isabella's number."Since Mister Hart had an episode after seeing you, it indicates his condition hasn't improved," said Isabella.To call it a 'condition' was not entirely accurate, but to solely attribute it to hypnosis would be wrong as well. Tyler had indeed been hypnotized, but the influence of drugs could not be dismissed.Hearing Isabella's words, a trace of disappointment seeped into Vicky's heart. "So, his clarity was just a random occurrence?""It wasn't random."Vicky was taken aback. "What was it, then?""Missus Hart, did you and Mister Hart argue yesterday?"Vick
'Tyler remembers me without resorting to any aids?' thought Vicky, feeling overwhelmed by various emotions.Vicky put his phone back where it belonged before Tyler finished his shower....The bar's lights flickered wildly, accompanied by booming music that reverberated in the ears.Vicky leaned against the couch in her booth, holding a glass of wine.She absentmindedly sipped on it while watching the performances on the stage.Sitting opposite Vicky, Jennifer and Cece exchanged glances and read the concern in each other's eyes."Vicky, it's getting late. Aren't you going back?" Jennifer whispered gingerly.Vicky's gaze shifted slightly, and she glanced at the time on her phone. "It's only ten..." she murmured. "It's still early. Let's stay a bit longer."As soon as she spoke, Vicky's phone buzzed.Seeing the incoming call number on the screen, Vicky averted her gaze indifferently and ignored it.The phone rang for a long time before the call was automatically disconnected.
"His name is Chris Leonhart." Cece glanced at Vicky before adding, "He used to be Vicky's assistant when the studio first opened."That surprised Jennifer even more. "So you two knew each other?""Sort of. He only worked in the studio for a month before quitting. He prefers to keep to himself, but he's quite capable in his job," replied Cece.Even though it had been years since Cece and Chris worked together, her impression of him still ran very deep."Back then, the studio didn't really have much business… And when we're finally about to close a deal, it eventually fell through due to my and Vicky's lack of experience… When Chris realized what happened, he told us our way of negotiating with the customer was wrong. In the end, we managed to close the deal thanks to his pointers."Cece looked at Chris, feeling a little emotional. "He might not say much, but he was always spot-on whenever he did. What's more…"Jennifer was listening rapt with attention, but when Cece did not conti
The man was tall, handsome, and his every move seemed regal. For most girls there, it was love at first sight as they quickly rushed over to make his acquaintance. Even some of the men could not stop themselves from walking to the fine specimen he was.However, the man ignored all of them. Instead, he scanned the entire bar like a hawk as though looking for someone."Hey, handsome! Can I buy you a drink?" said a woman flirtatiously.At that moment, Tyler found who he was looking for. Ignoring the woman, he strode over to where Cece and Jennifer were sitting.Saying the woman was stunned would be an understatement. She had always been extremely confident in her beauty, so it never crossed her mind that a man would ignore her like that.Not willing to give up, she decided to use her signature move on Tyler."Oh, handsome… Where are you going?" she cooed as she made a move to hug him from behind. She believed Tyler would not be able to resist her if she made the first move; doing so
Cece touched her own face. "Was I that obvious?"Jennifer glanced at the backstage entrance and asked, "Cece, why did you lie to Mister Tyler in the first place? He might be very possessive, but I'm sure he knows how to control himself when Vicky's around.""I didn't have a choice…" After a pause, she softly added, "I couldn't tell you this when Vicky was here, but I think Mister Tyler might be the reason why Chris quit his job.""What makes you think that?""I met Mister Tyler a few times when Vicky and I started working together, so I knew who he was. One night, on my way home, I realized I forgot to take something from the studio, so I went back to get it. There, I saw Mister Tyler's car parked nearby."At first, I thought he was waiting for Vicky, so I thought nothing of it. When I went upstairs, Vicky was nowhere to be seen whereas Chris' computer was still switched on. I was in a rush to get back, so I didn't really look into the matter."But two days later, Chris resigned.
Back then, Chris was on the phone then, so Vicky did not expect him to witness the whole thing.Vicky's gaze fell on the piano. "You know how to play the piano, too?"Instead of answering her question, Chris simply asked, "How have you been all these years, Vicky?""Not bad. You?"Chris ignored her question again. "Is he good to you?"Even though he used to work as her assistant, they did not know each other long enough to have a close relationship. Thus, his question was presumptuous, to say the least.After a few seconds of silence, Vicky nodded."Good." Chris looked at her. "But if he is good to you, why don't you look happy? Why do you spend your nights drinking in bars instead of going home?"Vicky frowned, thinking Chris had no right to ask her those questions. She was about to tell him that when Chris said, "I didn't mean to leave without saying goodbye back then, but your husband left me with no choice."Vicky was first stunned by the revelation, but she quickly unders
"I saw many prized collections of music scores and piano books in your office," said Chris evenly. "Also I could see the stars in your eyes when you're looking at a piano, so it doesn't take much to figure out just how much you like playing the piano. But for some reason, you had no choice but to give it up.""Did you come to this bar 'cause you knew I'd be here?" asked Vicky.Chris gazed at her quietly before answering honestly, "Yes. I went to look for you at your old studio, only to learn you've moved away. I hired a private investigator to look for you, and that's when I learned you come to this bar often. I then came up with this idea to get your attention."Vicky looked away from Chris again. "You played the piano very well…""I actually didn't know how to play the piano before I met you…" said Chris suddenly. "Would you believe me when I say I only learned how to play the piano just so I can play it for you when I see you again?"Vicky's eyelashes fluttered for a split seco