Dana POV

　　My voice faltered, tears threatening to spill over as I continued, "Only to learn that he had married someone else, the very woman responsible for the tragic loss of my parents..." The weight of my words hung heavy in the air, and I struggled to maintain composure, fighting against the overwhelming tide of emotion threatening to consume me.

　　"I hate it," I admitted with a heavy sigh, the bitterness of my past still lingering like a bitter aftertaste.

　　It wasn't just the failed relationship between Ares and Blaire that pained me now; it was the realization that the man I had once cherished had chosen to align himself with the very woman who had robbed me of my happiness - the woman responsible for my parents' tragic demise.

　　Bathel's comforting touch on my hand brought me back to the present, his words a soothing balm to my wounded soul. "I'm sorry," he murmured, his empathy palpable.

　　"You're a strong woman, Dana," he continued, his voice filled with admiration. "Despite the numerous times people have tried to knock you down, you always find the strength to rise again." His words resonated deeply within me, reminding me of my resilience in the face of adversity.

　　"But I promised that I will never let you down again..." Bathel mumbled, his voice tinged with determination. I nodded in acknowledgment, a small smile gracing my lips as I wiped away my tears with a tissue.

　　Suddenly, he rose from his seat and moved to sit beside me. With a gentle touch, he wiped away my tears and cupped my cheeks in his hands.

　　"You can cry to me, okay?" he whispered, his words a comforting reassurance.

　　"I am willing to listen to the pain that you're holding," he added, his voice filled with sincerity.

　　I continued to nod, feeling a sense of relief wash over me at his understanding and support.

　　"Thank you," I murmured gratefully, offering him a watery smile.

　　"It's okay," he replied, his gaze filled with warmth and compassion as he enveloped me in his comforting embrace.

　　As we settled back into his car, a sense of contentment enveloped us, knowing that we had shared our stories. However, our peaceful moment was interrupted when Bathel dropped his wallet with a soft exclamation.

　　"Oh," he whispered, bending down to retrieve it. But as he did, a cascade of credit cards spilled out along with a photograph.

　　I picked up the picture, noting the genuine smile on Bathel's face as he stood next to a woman.

　　"What a lovely picture," I remarked casually, but my curiosity got the better of me. "Is she Farrah?" I asked, studying the woman in the photograph closely.

　　Observing the photograph, I couldn't help but notice Farrah's striking beauty- her luscious brunette hair, captivating blue eyes, and flawless lips contrasted with Bathel's simple, genuine smile.

　　"Yeah, it's her," Bathel confirmed with a nod. "You can throw it away. I don't need it anymore. I hardly ever check my wallet."

　　I chuckled at his nonchalant attitude. "You have all those credit cards and money in there, and you barely even check them?" I asked, finding it hard to believe that he would be so casual about his finances.

　　"Oh, I have nothing to use them for anymore. I feel like I already have everything I need, and I have other cards anyway," he explained, his words inadvertently highlighting the disparity between our financial statuses.

　　"I should have just thrown them away- "

　　"No, it's fine..." I interjected, forcing a smile as I set the picture beside me. Despite my attempt to suppress it, the pang of jealousy lingered, a reminder of the stark contrast between our circumstances.

　　As Bathel spoke of Farrah, I couldn't help but wonder about the impact her beauty might have had on their relationship. However, he remained silent on whether their relationship had been intimate.

　　"My relationship with Farrah is..." Bathel began, trailing off as he met my gaze.

　　"It doesn't show any love," he sighed, his expression weighted with regret.

　　"It's more like a physical relationship- "

　　"Stop," I commanded abruptly, feeling a surge of discomfort and jealousy rising within me, my cheeks flushing crimson with emotion.

　　Bathel, who was supposed to be driving, complied immediately, bringing the car to a halt. His hand found its way to my thighs, his touch both comforting and disconcerting, causing me to take a deep breath to steady myself.

　　"I love this side of you,"

　　I met his gaze, my eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and unease. "You never mentioned that she was your first in everything," I remarked quietly, my voice tinged with a hint of hurt.

　　"I don't like her," Bathel admitted, his tone filled with remorse. "I was a jerk," he confessed, his words heavy with regret for his past actions.

　　I licked my lips nervously and took a deep breath, determined to push aside the uncomfortable conversation.

　　"I'm just going to forget about it- " I began, but my words were abruptly cut off as Bathel's hand slid underneath my skirt, sending a jolt of electricity coursing through me.

　　"Are you okay?" he asked, his concern evident in his voice.

　　"Fuck, yes," I breathed out, my inhibitions melting away in the heat of the moment.

　　Turning to face him, I reached out and grabbed his necktie, pulling him closer until our lips met in a fierce, possessive kiss. At that moment, it felt like I owned every part of him, and nothing else mattered except the passion igniting between us.

　　As our kiss deepened, a fierce hunger consumed me, fueled by the overwhelming desire to claim Bathel as my own. When we finally broke apart, I couldn't shake the lingering fear of losing him to someone else.

　　"Do you prefer her kiss or mine?" I teased, a hint of insecurity lacing my words.

　　Bathel's touch on my waist was reassuring as he replied, "I've forgotten about her; she's insignificant. But I can say with certainty that tasting your lips for the first time surpasses anything I've experienced before."

　　"I belong to you, Dana," he declared, his words echoing with a sense of commitment and devotion. "Every part of me is yours."

　　"And I want to belong to you," I replied, my heart swelling with a sense of belonging as I reciprocated his sentiment.