There was no looking back. Kaden watched as Lina headed into the club. Everyone stopped for her. She was oblivious to her effect. She always was. He wished she opened her eyes more, to see the world awe and marvel over her. Some were impressed by her beauty, others by her hard work, but in the end, were all captured by her presence.

  There was something undeniable about Lina. Whether it was her calm and collected movements or her slight smile of amusement, people looked. They always did.

  "Boss, per your request, we didn't delete the footage after your departure last night," Sebastian explained, watching the formidable woman walk into the nightclub.

  Even to this day, Sebastian couldn't believe his own eyes. A woman with nothing suddenly gained everything. Lina relied on no one. In the end, her hard work showed the entire world all she needed was herself. She didn't need her marriage to Kaden to secure her freedom, she didn't need Lawrence for networking, and she certainly didn't need those that hurt her. Once she looked forward, there was no going back.

  Sebastian heard what happened. He knew she never searched for anything or anyone. No updates on the Boss, no inquiring about him, no mention of him at all.

  "She's seen it," Kaden mused.

  Kaden's eyes followed her quick figure. She stormed out of the club, her face slightly pale and her lips parted. She must've rushed. His lips twitched. She was breathless from disbelief, her eyes wide and trembling. He had memories to her expression from last night, a dash of desire to be filled to her might. He was tempted, but had enough respect for her.

  "Let the games begin," Kaden stated, his heart-stopping when her head snapped to the car. For a brief moment, he swore he made eye contact. She stopped, as if the entire world slowed before her.

  Kaden saw her secretary's mouth move quickly. Who was that woman again? Evelyn? Estella? Something with an E. He didn't care to remember.

  "They're panicking, Boss," Sebastian murmured.

  "Real? I couldn't tell."

  Sebastian clamped his mouth shut. The last time he made an unnecessary remark, Kaden ordered his eyes to be checked. Quite, literally too. He was forced to visit an eye doctor, undergo unnecessary questioning, and even coerced to put on contacts. His body still shuddered at the thought of anything going near his eyes, even if it was safe.

  "When she calls, clear my schedule," Kaden deadpanned.

  When? Sebastian blinked. After all these years, Sebastian was always surprised by his Boss's unwavering confidence. It should've been "if she calls," for Lina was never the first to reach out. Sebastian had witnessed the pain. He stood testament to the melancholy.

  Even now, Sebastian couldn't shake the image from his mind. A lonely man, tall and broad, standing over his office window. What a great man he was, sitting on top of the world, riches at his feet, people at his disposal. He possessed everything, but had nothing.

  What was winning the war when you've lost the battle?

  Kaden always gripped his phone tightly. He'd stare at the screen for hours in his spare time and night. He'd wait. And wait. And wait even more. Just waiting for the moment she called him. Even a text would be fine.

  Lina never reached out.

  "As you wish, Boss—" Sebastian froze. "S-should we drive off?"

  Kaden said nothing. Lina was approaching them now. Her body was a vision to behold. She stormed towards them. Cars honked. The lights flashed. She crossed through heavy traffic. A woman with a mission. Kaden could feel his heart slow. His chest ached to touch her again. When he finally grabbed her shoulders at the club, he felt his hand burn with familiarity. Her soft skin, her sweet scent, her slight smile. He could see it so clearly.

  What he dreamed to touch was actually in his hand. That night, Kaden had never felt so much aggravation and frustration. What he wanted was within close range. All he had to do was reach out, but like always, he couldn't grab her. Not without her consent. No, never by force.

  "Or… not." Sebastian frowned when Lina suddenly stopped in the middle of traffic.

  "That crazy woman," Kaden breathed out, his hand flying to the car door.

  Lina was standing in the middle of traffic. Cars whizzed past her, the wind picking up her trench coat. She paused, her face filled with hatred and irritation. Then, without warning, she turned on her heels.

  "What is she doing?" Kaden snarled, throwing the car door open.

  It was too late.

  Lina was walking back to her vehicle. She changed her mind at the last second. Her grip on her purse was tight, her flesh turning white from the pressure. Amidst the car honks, rushing traffic, and murmuring pedestrians, Kaden only saw her. He only cared for her.

  Like always, Lina continued forward.

  Not once did she look back——

  "Director…" Estella chided the second her Boss entered their vehicle.

  Lina threw her purse into the back seat, her face filled with venom. She glowered at the leather seats, her eyes flashing with vehement. She gritted her teeth and crossed her legs. Then, she glowered out the window.

  "Out of everyone," Lina spat out. "Out of everyone in the city…"

  Lina's breathing grew heavy. She knew. She always knew it would be him. Her knight in stupid armor on a stupid horse. Stupid. Stupid. That was what Kaden was. He was an idiot. She hated how effortlessly he showed her kindness, only to never mention it. She hated how much of a coward he was.

  The Great Kaden Dehaven.? Everyone trembled at the mention of his name. There was none that didn't fear him. Even grown men would whimper when they saw him. How could they not?

  But to Lina, Kaden was a coward. A horrible, lowly, coward. Lina reminded herself that he didn't chase her. Even now, he didn't run after her. Lina gave him the final opportunity to do so, but the audacity!

  "We'll forget that night ever happened," Lina said out loud, both to herself and Estella.

  "Forgotten and—"

  "I don't think so."

  Lina's head snapped to her door. Her voice died in her throat. Time slowed down, everything began to blur, and Lina's heart stopped.

  Impossible.