Aish jolted awake, her senses tangled in disorientation and a chilling shiver. The stark reality of her vulnerability struck hard as she opened her eyes, discovering herself naked beneath the blankets. The cold draft had been an unwelcome alarm, stealing the warmth she'd sought in her restless sleep.

Her gaze turned towards the peacefully sleeping man beside her, his fully clothed form like a slap in her face,a reminder of their recent intimate encounter and his lack of care for her. A sigh escaped her lips, carrying with it a mixture of longing and regret. They had shared moments of passion in the past, and he'd cared for her then, careful of her comfort.

The aftermath of their lovemaking left her body aching, not just from the physical exertion, but from the emotional weight she carried. Tears threatened to spill, mirroring the pain that nestled deep within her heart. A silent question echoed in her mind, demanding answers to the persistent question: Why? Why was she so susceptible to his presence, unable to resist his touch despite the pain he had subjected her to?

Tonight had marked their third anniversary together, she'd made so many preparations for their night out, even planning to propose to him, only to receive a message from his secretary that he was called away on important business. He would be with her as soon as humanly possible. And like the fool she was, she'd even believed that until she'd received a message...

His important business had been an engagement party. Of course she could understand that. In his circle, engagement parties were also treated as placed to mingle and conduct business. But this was different. After all, he was the VIP guest. Ren was the one who was getting engaged. A fact that he'd conveniently forgotten to mention. She'd watched him slip on the ring on another woman's finger. The ring that should have belonged to her. The ring that he'd promised her...

She shoudl have created a scene there, questioned him about why he did, what he did. But instead she'd run away from there. Too scared to show anyone how shattered she was.

But the fates had more punishment in store for her. While she was still trying to process everything that happened, he'd had the gall to come here, to their shared house and make love to her...No... It wasn't making love. She corrected herself. He'd come to fu*k her. And he'd done just that. While she had tried to protest. Even as she'd felt him pulling her to him, she'd convinced herself that she would resist him, only for him to crumble all her defences with his kisses. He knew her body too well. 

Slowly, painfully, she slipped from under the blanket, gathering her clothes as she gazed at him one last time. Once, he'd been like her own heated, breathing personal blanket, warmer and cozier. Hers. There was a time when the mere act of snuggling close to him had felt like seeking refuge in a cocoon of security. But, at this moment, even the thought of touching him caused her insides to twist as if stabbed by a thousand knives. He wasn't hers anymore.

The cold air bit at her skin, a stark reminder of her reality. This was the room she had decorated herself, imagining a happy future with him once they were married. Instead, in this moment, it felt like a prison.

She gathered the torn lingerie, the walk towards the washroom, making her feel ashamed.Her tear-streaked reflection stared back at her from the mirror as she mechanically discarded the torn pieces. It was the middle of the night and yet, she had no intention of slipping back into that bed.

The love bite on her neck served as an unwelcome reminder of the raw intimacy she had shared with him from the moment they met. Every time, everytime they were together, he would leave a mark here, as if claiming her. The first time they'd made love and she'd seen this mark, she'd felt foolishly thrilled. As if she'd found her soulmate and he'd marked her. She was sure if she hadn't been shy, she would have shown off that mark. 

Her hands moved on their own, rubbing the spot, hoping to get rid of the mark. She wasn't his, dam* it! She was not going to be his ever again. 

Collapsing momentarily on the cool floor, she grappled with the overwhelming mix of emotions coursing through, rubbing her chilled arms as if the little bit of heat could chase the cold away. However, she's soon come to a decision. Wiping away her lingering tears, she marched towards the wardrobe and searched at the bottom, pulling out an old pair of jeans and a shirt. 

He hated seeing her in jeans so she'd stopped wearing them, opting to wear dresses and skirts. Not anymore. She would never wear a dress or a skirt again. Decisively, she slipped into the old jeans and the t-shirt.

As she stepped out of the dressing room, she paused and turned to look at him, freezing in horror as she found his arm moving. Did he sense her resolve to leave him? What if he woke up and tried to stop her. She knew Ren better than anyone else. Knew that he considered her his. And if someone tried to take what belonged to him, he would not let things rest easily.

She would never be able to leave him if he wanted to stop her. 

Quickly, she tried to step out of the room, determined to run away before she could be stopped. Her heart thundered in her throat as she heard his sudden sleepy words," Where are you going?"