Chapter 161

Ryan’s fingers trembled as he held the delicate lingerie, the silky fabric triggering something deep within him. The scent that lingered on it was hauntingly familiar, stirring a sense of déjà vu so powerful that it sent a shiver down his spine.

As he pressed the fabric closer to his face, memories began flooding his mind in disjointed flashes.

There was a woman—a stripper. Her face was shadowed by the dim lights of a nightclub, but her eyes sparkled with defiance. "Marry me," he had said to her once.

The memory hit him like a punch to the gut, and his breath hitched.

Who is she? Ryan’s head began to throb as more images flickered in his mind: a crowded strip club, the scent of perfume mingled with sweat, the sound of music thumping in the background, and then... that woman again, her lips curled in a seductive smile.

He could feel her presence, almost tangible, but just as quickly as the memories appeared, they dissolved into nothingness, leaving him with more questions than answer