Lirong shook her head, a soft chuckle escaping her lips as she replied, "You’re not interrupting. I think I was… waiting for something interesting to happen."

The man extended a hand, a warm smile breaking across his face. "I’m Matteo."

She slipped her hand into his, feeling an unexpected thrill as the past began to wash away like the tide. "Bella."

The soft thrum of waves lapping against the wooden pillars below blended with low music drifting from the beach bar’s speakers, creating a serene backdrop for their budding connection. Overhead, a tapestry of stars spread wide, unspoiled by city lights, twinkling like distant promises. The air was warm, heavy with salt and the faint sweetness of lychee from her half-finished drink, a reminder of the carefree moments she had almost forgotten.

Lirong leaned into the curve of her seat, laughter bubbling from her as Matteo finished another outrageous story about narrowly escaping a monkey in Bali. Her head tilted back, eyes sparkling with mirth, her golden earrings dancing with each giggle.

She felt flushed from the wine, tipsy, just enough to let the world soften at the edges. Enough to forget she was getting divorced, tired, and grieving parts of herself she’d buried in the compromises of her past.

Matteo smiled at her, his eyes warm, fingers brushing near hers. "You’re laughing now, but you weren’t when I told you I tried to fight it off with a beach towel."

"Because you said the towel was pink," she giggled again, playfully slapping his arm. "That detail made it worse!"

"I still have that towel," he said, mock solemnity draping over his features. "It’s my battle flag."

She doubled over, hand over her mouth, laughter bubbling to the surface until tears threatened the corners of her eyes. "Stop. I haven’t laughed like this in… a long time."

Matteo looked at her more gently now, the lighthearted banter easing into something softer, more sincere. "You seem like you need to be somewhere… safer."

Lirong blinked, watching him, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her mind.

"My place is nearby," he added, his tone inviting yet cautious. "You can rest. Just rest, I promise. No pressure. I can even call the concierge for a cart ride."

She hesitated, the smile faltering not from fear, but from the old ghosts crawling up her throat, memories of Dexing that clung like shadows. The hesitation that lived in her spine when she heard his voice echo in her mind.

"That's enough."

The words dropped like iron, slicing through the moment. She turned sharply, the world around her pivoting on its axis.

Dexing stood a few feet away, his chest heaving, his dark dress shirt damp with ocean mist, clinging to his torso in a way that made her heart race though not from desire. His hair, slightly windblown, glinted under the bar's low golden light, and his eyes, sharp and tired, were locked on Matteo with a fury that made Lirong’s stomach churn.

Matteo stood up, his expression hardening into polite confusion. "Excuse me?"

Dexing’s jaw clenched as he stepped forward, tension radiating off him. "I said leave."

Matteo looked between them, brow furrowing as he assessed the situation. "I’m not sure who you are—"

"You don’t need to be."

Then, as if conjured from the shadows, three men emerged behind Dexing, broad-shouldered and silent yet imposing, their presence amplifying the tension in the air.

Matteo sighed, stepping back, his demeanor shifting as he nodded once at Lirong. "Take care of yourself, Bella."

He shot Dexing a sharp look as he passed, then disappeared down the beach, his white shirt glowing faintly in the moonlight, leaving Lirong staring after him, her earlier buzz now laced with a fast-pumping rage.

She turned slowly toward Dexing, her voice low, cracked with disbelief. "Bella?" he asked incredulously.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded.

Dexing didn’t answer, but his gaze lingered on her, taking in the flush on her cheeks, the way the sheer wrap clung to her thigh and the beads of sweat at her temples. He swallowed hard, his throat tightened.

"Sweetheart?" he murmured.

Lirong’s eyes narrowed and instantly tears threatened to spill as the memories crashed over her like waves. "Don’t fucking call me that."

Her voice cut through the silence, sharp and slicing.

"Did you sign them?" she asked, her voice like cracked glass. "The divorce papers, Dexing."

She turned fully now, the sheer wrap around her hips fluttering wildly in the breeze, her eyes bloodshot and burning with sorrow. "Because that’s the only reason I’d ever want to see you again. After that... never. I never want to see you."

Dexing stood frozen at her words, his mouth parting, but the answer caught behind his clenched teeth.

He shook his head slowly. His gaze filled with regret.

"No, baby," he breathed, desperation lacing his tone. "No. Please… Sweetheart, don’t do this. I'm sorry."

He stepped closer, and she instinctively stepped back.

"I know I was wrong. I know I hurt you," he rasped, his voice trembling and raw. "But I’ve changed... changing. I’m going to change. I fucking love you, Sweet… God, I love you, baby, and I’m sorry. I fucked up. I was bad. Very bad..." His eyes turned bloodshot, tears rolling down his cheeks as he began slapping his face, desperation etched into his gaze. "A bad husband. I was blind. But I see it now. You… you’re my only peace. I'm sorry I wasn't there when you needed me! I'm sorry I wasn't there to be your peace, Sweetheart."

"Stop!" Lirong cried out, the crack in her voice betraying the torrent swirling within her. "Stop saying that. Stop making a scene. You’re embarrassing me!"

Heads turned from the bar and the audience intrigued by the unexpected drama unfolding before them, but Dexing didn’t care.

Lirong pushed past him, walking quickly. Her fists clenched and her steps furious. Her chest heaved with each step with anger and heartache driving her.

Dexing followed behind her, like a shadow that wouldn’t leave her be. Maybe, a desperate man.

By the time she reached her resort, the lights flickered on, casting golden halos across the white sand and polished walkways. She turned at the entrance to her villa, the sea roaring softly in the background.

She turned, trembling, her voice bitter as she confronted him. "Are you scared?"

His brow furrowed in confusion. "What—"

"Are you scared of giving me everything?" she snapped, anger driving the words out. "All the things you worked for? The money, the power, the legacy? Is that what you’re so afraid of losing?"

Dexing’s eyes darkened. Her words cut deeper than she intended. Her gaze darted, as if searching for a reply in his quietness.

"I want to be happy, Dexing, and clearly you don't make me happy anymore." Her voice broke again, the vulnerability in her tone raw and exposed. "The only thing that will make me happy is if you sign off on everything I asked for. The divorce. The settlements. Custody of Feifei."

Mentioning their daughter shook something deep within him. Her words echoing in his mind.

Dexing swallowed hard, blinking rapidly as the reality of her request settled in. "I’ll give you everything. I could never say no to you," he whispered, stepping closer, his voice splintering with emotion. "The company shares, the penthouse, the accounts. The estates. Everything, Sweetheart. Except…"

Lirong knew what was coming, and still, her knees went weak at the sound of it. Oh, she knew. Because she knew the man she married. That was the reason why he was rich today. His goddamn stubbornness to fight till the end.

"Except Feifei."

"Don’t," she warned, her voice dropping, a storm brewing behind her eyes. "Don't do this—"

"I can’t... I'm sorry," he said, voice hoarse with desperation. "She’s all I have left of you. Of us. I'm fighting for custody too. I want joint parenting."

Tears streamed freely down her cheeks, her heart breaking at the thought of their daughter being caught in the crossfire of their fractured relationship. She turned away from him, a sob wracking her body as she clutched the doorframe for support.

"You're mine, Lirong. Never have I let you go. If I had to walk through hell to have you again, I would. You're all I ever need."

Lirong glared at him one last time, her heart heaving with anger and aching with sorrow as she walked inside, the door slamming shut behind her, leaving Dexing standing alone in the night.