Chapter 369

"Room number?" The voice on the phone dripped with impatience.

Stella Valentine tightened her grip on the phone. "1231."

"Wait."

The call ended abruptly.

The elevator doors slid open before her.

"Your luggage, ma'am." A bellboy nudged the silver cart forward politely.

She nodded mechanically and stepped inside.

The twelfth-floor corridor stretched endlessly.

When Room 1231's door swung open, a blast of chilled air made her shiver.

Everything here felt familiar yet terrifyingly alien.

Traces of her past with Mr. Alistair had long been erased by time.

Now, his heart held only vengeance.

Even his tenderness toward her felt like a performance.

The TV flickered to life.

A dating show's laughter filled the empty suite.

She stared at the successful couples, her nails digging into her palms unconsciously.

Ding-dong—

The doorbell shattered the silence.

"Who is it?"

"Open up."

That voice turned her muscles to stone.

The man outside was drenched, water dripping from his sleeves.

He strode in, scanning the room with a mocking smirk. "Presidential suite? Adrian Roland spoils you."

"This is where we—"

"Oh?" His eyebrow arched. "Remember now. But they redecorated, didn't they?"

"No." Her voice trembled.

"Then my memory fails me." He closed the distance suddenly. "Stella..."

She stumbled back against the wall. "Stay away!"

"Afraid?" His fingers clamped around her wrist. "We've been far more intimate. Why play innocent now?"

"Let go!"

"Shh—" He breathed against her ear. "We have all night to reminisce."

As he lifted her off her feet, she glimpsed a shadow darting past the doorway.

That silhouette...

The bedroom door slammed shut.

Around the corner, Adrian Roland's suit jacket dripped onto the carpet.

He carefully unfolded the wedding gown from his arms.

Pearlescent satin shimmered under dim lighting.

He pictured her wearing it.

Under the crabapple tree, her smile luminous as the swirling skirt.

His phone vibrated, shattering the fantasy.

The image froze his blood.

[Like what you see, brother?]

[She's sweeter than I imagined.]

[Want a live show?]

[Heard you bought a wedding dress. Pity—I'll be the first to take it off her.]

[Guess which button I'm undoing now?]

The phone spiraled into the toilet bowl.

Yet the ringing pierced through the water.

Staring at Room 1231's gaping door, his vision tinted crimson.

Down the hall, his footsteps echoed like Death's scythe scraping concrete.