't make a deposit of three million immediately. The weight of his words felt like a noose tightening around my throat. Where could I possibly find that kind of money? The only option left was

her familiarity with him-told me they had been doing this for a long time. I fumbled for words, my mind reeling from the scene. Khalifa and Mia stared at me, frozen in shock, their guilt written plainly on their faces. My disgust boiled over, finally breaking through my paralysis. "This is the height of it!" I shouted, my voice cracking. Tears blurred my vision as I turned and ran from the house. My thoughts raced wildly: *How could Mia do this to me? Does she love Khalifa? Did she ever stop to think about what this would do to me?* --- Desperate to numb the pain, I switched off my phone and wandered into a bar a few miles away. It was dimly lit, offering the anonymity I craved. I waved over the bartender, a striking man with sharp features, a perfectly chiseled jawline, and a megawatt smile that could have belonged to a model. Despite the ache in my chest, I couldn't help but notice the way his presence drew the room's attention. "Give me rum," I said firmly, my voice raw from emotion. "Or whatever will get me drunk the fastest." The bartender raised an eyebrow but smiled warmly. "Rough day?" he asked gently, sliding a glass toward me. "Take it easy on yourself." I ignored his advice, downing the drink in one go. My throat burned, but the rush of alcohol was a welcome distraction. The warmth spread through me, dulling the edges of my pain. A gentleman seated at the corner of the bar must have noticed my distress. "Your next drink is on me," he offered, his voice rich and smooth. "I can afford my drinks," I retorted sharply, waving him off. "Bartender, another rum, please." He hesitated, then handed me another bottle. I ignored the glass entirely, drinking straight from the bottle as though it could wash away the betrayal I had witnessed. The stranger didn't take his eyes off me, though I tried my best to ignore him. "Do you need help?" he asked eventually, his tone calm and m