I was speechless, seeing everyone looking at Jayden with confused expressions. Even though I was confused, just today, he said he didn't want me anymore, so why does he want to come with me now? Was he trying to drive me crazy or keep me in his torturous presence, reminding me of his recent disdain for me?

"You didn't mention anything about working out today," Daon questioned, furrowing his brow and sighing, ruffling his black hair, seeming uninterested.

"Yeah, I was feeling down, but it's easier with company, right?" Jayden explained.

Daon shrugged and smiled at me while Simon and Louyse continued to stare at Jayden, who maintained an indifferent expression.

"True! Well, this way, I feel more at ease, I was feeling bad about leaving my princess alone," Daon lamented, approaching me and taking my face in his hands.

"Sorry I can't go, okay? I promise I'll make it up to you!" Daon affirmed and tried to kiss me, but I turned my face away. The truth is, I was very upset by how I was treated here today.

Louyse insulted me, and he remained silent, didn't bother to defend me, and just said he "forgot" to let me know he wouldn't be working out. To me, that meant he "forgot" I existed for a few hours. I understand he's been busy, but forgetting something he agreed on with me made me realize how low I am on his priority list, and honestly, I didn't like feeling that way.

"Aren't you going to give me a kiss?" Daon asked, worried.

I looked at him, and without saying anything, I knew he understood I was upset, but he probably didn't even know why.

"We'll talk tonight," I simply stated.

I waved to everyone out of sheer politeness, despite them treating me poorly. I wouldn't be like them. I couldn't show that it affected me. I walked to the door and heard Jayden's steps behind me.

"I'm leaving, guys. See you tomorrow. Don't forget to lock up, you'll be the last to leave," Jayden instructed as he said goodbye.

I didn't look back, just kept walking. I wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible, escape the judging eyes of the women who stared at my clothes. I wanted to forget Louyse's smile when Daon said he had "forgotten" to let me know he wouldn't go, and especially, I wanted to forget Jayden's cold gaze saying he didn't want me anymore. I couldn't understand his actions, and it left me feeling on edge.

"Jane?" He called, and I didn't respond, so he touched my arm, and just his light touch sent an electric current through my body, waking all my senses and putting me on alert. When our eyes met, I noticed he was maintaining the same cold demeanor from earlier.

"Wait for me at the door, I'll get the car," Jayden instructed, as if I were one of his subordinates, and I shook my head.

"No need, I'll go alone!" I affirmed proudly.

I tried to pull my arm from his hand, but he didn't let go and continued to stare at me. When I tried again, he simply led me to where he wanted.

"Are you crazy? People will see!" I whispered, scared, and he raised his eyebrows in response.

"I'm not doing anything wrong," Jayden stated, unconcerned.

We reached the garage, and he opened his car door, looking at me with a superior gaze that said I had no other choice. I was very sensitive, and I felt like crying, but I wouldn't do that in front of him. He walked around the car and got in, not looking at me, as if he were trying to pretend I wasn't there. So, was this his plan? To make me feel more and more humiliated? We traveled in silence, and I watched the scenery of Seoul while feeling some tears roll down my face. I wiped them away, trying to hide them, but it seemed futile. He looked at me and sighed deeply before speaking.

"It wasn't his fault," Jayden stated with a sigh.

I looked at him, confused, and he shrugged before continuing.

"The process of recording an album is extremely complex, he didn't do it on purpose," Jayden explained, justifying my husband's actions.

I continued to stare at him, not understanding his attitude, but as if reading my mind, he explained, "I don't like seeing you cry." He sighed, defeated, realizing his mask couldn't be maintained much longer.

"And why do you care?" I asked, my voice faltering, trying to understand his motivations.

Silence reigned in the car, and he rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"You know why," Jayden said with a sigh that escaped his tempting lips.

He finally looked at me as if it were obvious, and I lost my breath for a few moments.

"I thought I knew. Today I realized I don't know anything. I don't even know if I should stay in this country," I muttered, confused.

He looked at me, mouth agape, and I had to call his attention to the road, fearing he might cause an accident. Reluctantly, he focused on the road ahead, and silence filled the rest of the journey. When we arrived, I saw a modern four-story building by the Han River. Jayden grabbed a bag from the car trunk, and we entered the large building. He helped me register because I couldn't understand what the receptionist was saying. We were both serious, and despite exchanging some essential words, we weren't really talking. He seemed thoughtful, and I was trying to keep my mind occupied.

We passed through the turnstile where I used my biometric data to access the large room filled with various bodybuilding and crossfit equipment. Jayden showed me where the water fountains and locker rooms were, then took me to the second floor where some men were practicing martial arts. I saw a handsome man with brown hair and a sculpted body, he had a goatee that highlighted his handsome features, and I couldn't help but notice his muscular thighs that were twice the size of Jayden's. He came over to us, greeting Jayden with a hug. When he saw me, his eyes scanned me from head to toe. Seeing two women working out at the gym, I realized how revealing my outfit was. They wore leggings and loose shirts, while the jumpsuit I was wearing left little to the imagination, revealing much of my skin and highlighting my curves.

"Decided to show up for train? I thought you had given up after the beating I gave you last time," the man teased Jayden with a friendly smile.

"Beating? As I recall, you were the one who hit the ground asking me to let you go," Jayden retorted, and it was clear they were close.

"Funny, have you decided to give up being a business executive and become a comedian?" the unknown man asked, winking at me in greeting.

"It's never too late to try," Jayden replied cheerfully.

They smiled at each other, and the atmosphere changed when the teasing session ended.

"So, how are you? Are you going to change to train a bit?" the man asked, and it was clear he was brimming with energy.

Jayden seemed lazy and made a funny face.

"I will!" Jayden agreed in a tone that clearly showed his reluctance.

He noticed the man couldn't take his eyes off me and seemed annoyed.

"And this beautiful lady? Aren't you going to introduce me?" the stranger teased, approaching me.

Jayden clenched his jaw, looking at me, and then back at the man in front of him.

"Seo, this is Jane, Daon's wife," Jayden explained in a tone that emphasized the word "wife," as if trying to warn him to stay away.

"Jane, welcome! I imagine you already have a workout routine," he said, extending his hand to greet me.

"Yes! My exercise routine was more dance-oriented. I was a Zumba teacher in the United States, and I have a degree in Physical Education," I explained excitedly, as I rarely had the opportunity to talk to someone who spoke English in this country.

Jayden seemed surprised and quickly asked, "You never told me that."

I shrugged, ignoring his comment, and sighed, looking around.

"You never asked," I simply explained. After all, our bond was never one of two people who knew each other well.

"Zumba? I think I've heard of it. It's a type of dance that mixes exercise with Latin music, right?" Seo asked, and I smiled, nodding, as this wasn't a well-known exercise category.

"Yes! I also did bodybuilding three times a week," I said with a smile, and he seemed to analyze me.

"Is your diet geared towards hypertrophy?" he asked, staring at my well-toned thighs.

"Not really. I've never followed a diet, to be honest. I eat what I feel like and pray it works out," I explained with a guilty smile.

"Then you have blessed genetics!" Seo commented as a compliment.

I smiled and shrugged.

"Well, we don't have dance here, but I can set up an exercise routine for you, and you can alternate with crossfit twice a week, or you can practice some body-to-body combat with me," Seo suggested.

Jayden, who was drinking water, almost choked on it, and I ended up smiling.

"BODY-TO-BODY?" Jayden asked in a slightly louder tone, making everyone in the gym look at him.

"Yeah, martial arts, fighting, you know?" Seo explained, frowning at Jayden.

"Of course," Jayden agreed, seeming a bit relieved, but thought a little more and frowned, starting to shake his head.

"No! She's not doing any fighting!" He responded without even looking at me or asking my opinion, so I decided to provoke him.

Didn't he say he didn't want me anymore? Isn't he acting cold and detached? Let's see how long this lasts.

"Actually, I liked the idea! I'm really eager to punch someone," I affirmed and gave a forced smile to Jayden, who frowned at me.

"Great then, want to leave your bag in the locker room?" Seo asked, his eyes shining with excitement.

I nodded, and he smiled at me.

"Come, I'll show you where it is," Seo said, and Jayden put his hand on the man's chest, stopping him.

"No need, I'll go with her," Jayden stated decisively, leaving no room for questions.

He held my hand and guided me through the gym. I was irritated by that attitude and used all my strength to break free.

"Stop it, Jayden! You can't act like you own me!" I affirmed, annoyed.

We got close to the locker room, and Jayden looked around to make sure no one was there and pressed me against the wall, coming closer than was safe for both of us. Any proximity of his body to mine caused shivers, and I was staring at his plump lips, which were pursed, showing his dissatisfaction.

"Then stop acting so recklessly!" Jayden demanded.

Before I could think, my hand slapped his face, leaving a resounding sound. I pushed him away and got in his face, pointing a finger at him to make sure he paid close attention to what I was saying.

"Never speak to me like that again! You don't have that right!" I snapped through clenched teeth.

I was trembling with rage, and he stared at me with his eyes fixed on me. He looked like he wanted to devour me, and I decided to enter the locker room before he could break my defensive stance. I chose one of the lockers and stored my bag. The locker room wasn't very large, but the showers were quite modern, even having structures for those who wanted to shower sitting down. I went to the sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror, trying to calm down. I couldn't let Jayden affect me like this, I couldn't let him realize the power he had over me. After a few minutes, I left the locker room, and he was already waiting near the door with a regretful look. He was wearing a red tank top and black shorts suitable for fighting. I tried to pretend I wasn't affected by seeing him in that outfit that highlighted his body, which had made me writhe with pleasure countless times. I walked past him to the main room on the second floor where the trainer was waiting for us.

"Ready to start?" Seo asked, excited.

I nodded, and he picked up a pair of boxing gloves. He came over to me, putting them on. I didn't need help with that, and Jayden watched as he put on his gloves.

"I'm more than ready. I hope you don't ask me to stop because in a fight ring, I don't recognize that word," I affirmed decisively, seeing Jayden gape at how I challenged him.

I needed to show him that I didn't need his protection and that I knew very well how to deal with men like him, but would rolling with him in a ring give me the satisfaction I wanted, or would it just remind me even more of the times we rolled around in bed?