Neither Charles nor I said a word on the way out. Once it was just the two of us, I hesitated before finally breaking the silence. "Actually, Lucas and I—"

Charles cut me off softly, "I know you're Lucas' girlfriend."

I stared blankly at the man before me, stunned into silence. Even Lucas' older brother could see that we were dating, and yet Lucas always treated me badly. In the end of my previous life, I even died because of him.

"I thought you guys would go public today, get engaged, and then get married. I didn't expect this to happen," Charles said, his gray eyes clouded with a mix of emotions. "Did you break up?"

I let out a soft sigh. "Yeah. After everything that happened today, I don't know how our families are supposed to keep working together."

"As long as I'm here, the collaboration between our companies won't be affected."

"Really?" I looked at him, puzzled.

Charles was notorious for being a playboy, spending his days drinking and partying in nightclubs. He was never involved in his family business.

Charles seemed to have read my mind. He scratched his head sheepishly. "After what happened earlier, I've realized that Lucas is an idiot. I can't just stand by and watch him destroy our family business. I need to take matters into my own hands."

"Well, well, well. It looks like the playboy's finally turning over a new leaf," I teased.

He narrowed his eyes, a cold look gleaming in them. "We share the same enemies, after all."

The night wind picked up, and I instinctively wrapped my arms around myself. Without a word, he slipped off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders.

The gesture made the atmosphere suddenly feel charged and intimate in a way that felt unfamiliar and awkward.

I hurriedly said goodbye and got ready to leave. "Here's your jacket," I said before taking it off and handing it back to him.

"It's cold out. Give it back to me the next time we meet," he said firmly. His tone left no room for argument.

…

I returned to the place Lucas and I called home, and all the memories of our past together came rushing back to me.

He never let anyone know we were together. He hid me away in this apartment like I was a dirty secret. He only came by when it suited him, always making me feel like a mistress.

Most of the things in the apartment were mine. His belongings were few and far between, like he was just a guest. Since things were over between us, I decided to make a clean break and started packing everything up.

As I finished packing two large suitcases, the front door opened. It was Lucas.

Lucas stumbled through the door, his face flushed and eyes half-lidded, reeking of alcohol.

One look at his drunken state, and I knew better than to leave things to chance. I discreetly dialed Charles' number.

Lucas' gaze drifted to the packed suitcases by the door. "What do you think you're doing?"

Ignoring him, I grabbed the suitcases and started to leave.

"Hold it right there!" He grabbed me by my shoulders, pinning me in place.

"Lucas," I said calmly. "Let me make this clear—we're done. From now on, we're just business partners."

Yet, he gave me a lazy, mocking smile. "Wow, you really pulled out all the stops to get my attention this time. You're breaking up with me? Please. Every time I mentioned it before, you begged me to stay, cooked for me, did my laundry, and—"

"That was the old me," I cut him off. "Right now, all I want is to end things with you."

"And who says you get to call it quits?" His tone was lazy, but the contempt and impatience on his face were unmistakable. "We'll end things when I'm tired of you."

I pushed his hand off my shoulder and glared at him. "I'm not in the mood for this. If you ever lay a hand on me or harass me again, I will call the cops!" I threatened.

Lucas narrowed his eyes and studied my face skeptically. Then, without warning, he grabbed my jacket. "This jacket is Charles', isn't it? So that explains why you're breaking up with me today. So you're screwing my brother now? Is that it?"

"Enough!" I snapped. "Charles and I are just friends. Don't twist things and turn our relationship into something it's not."

My explanation fell on deaf ears.

Lucas' face flushed deeper, and he got more worked up. "I get it now. You couldn't have me, so you went after my brother instead. You're using him as my replacement!

"You know what? Fine—I admit I haven't been treating you well lately. I'll change."

I looked him dead in the eye and said, "There's nothing left between us. We're done."

"You're taking this little game way too far, Jessica. This is your last chance."

"Right, so let's break up."

Lucas' expression congealed, and with one swift kick, he sent my suitcases tumbling. "You're not going anywhere tonight!"

"Let her go, Lucas!"

Just as I started to panic, Charles finally showed up. He stepped between Lucas and me, taking my side.

The tables turned in an instant. This time, I wasn't alone anymore.

"Stay out of this, Charles," Lucas spat. "Jessica's my girlfriend."

This was the first time he had ever acknowledged our relationship in front of someone else.

But I immediately shook my head. "That's not true. Your girlfriend's Emily!"

Lucas stared at me in disbelief. "Jessica, come on, you know I was just messing around. Now that I've admitted we're together, why aren't you happy? Isn't this what you always wanted? I even got the ring back. Here, put it on."

However, this time, I turned and bolted. Behind me, Lucas' voice echoed, angry and loud. "Don't come crawling back to me—because when you do, I'll never forgive you!"