am, the shock of the slap le

her eyes wide with disbelief. "Linsey, how dare you

words. "Why wouldn't I dare? You asked for it. You wanted to apologize, di

hand again, her gaze nev

ttention. With a furious shout, he lunged forward, shovin

Joanna, his voice softened with concern a

aining her balance with ea

self said she wanted to apologize. Felix, are you deaf? If she really meant to apologize, she should just keep quiet and let me v

h nothing but despicable cheats. And one day, when t

of accusations. He opened his mouth, but

a long, tense silence, he finally spoke, his voice laced with irritation. "Even if Joanna wanted to apologize, you shouldn't

gesture sharp and deliberate. "I'll take that as a compliment," she replied coolly, her eyes locking onto his.

evident as he stared at her, utterl

e woman standing before him was

ss the situation. She had taunted Linsey countless times before, but this-this was

then Joanna's thoughts shifted, her g

this on purpose to g

m completely absorbed in Linsey, his gaze fixed on her wit

him from Linsey. There was no way

er. With calculated sweetness, she said, "Felix, don't say that. Linsey's probably just up

r Joanna, and her words only deepened

nged with disappointment. "The Linsey I knew would nev

ve been out of my mind before, putting up with you. But not anymore. I've wised up. Only an idiot would k

rabbed her suitcase and turned

ords hitting him like a punch to the gut.

se behind her, an overwhelming sense of panic grip

of impending loss weighed on him, as though the most imp

ice desperate, moving instincti

Without thinking, she placed a hand over her cheek, letting out a soft, melod

at the sound of her distress. He

treaks, a handprint visible beneath her sk

of concern. "I'll take you to the hospital. We'

before her voice softened, laced with feigned concern. "Felix, Linsey's really le

ne this time. I won't indulge her anymore. Let her stew for a bit-she'

e leaned into Felix's embrace, her voice drippin

as working

elt in control. Linsey was nothing but a

ion did nothing to settle the unease gnawing at

feel so u

with forced patience. But no matter how hard he tried, hi

She would be back eventu