Chapter 2 Obsession

Charlee said, "Hello. I'd like to check out."

Distracted by a heated debate over the latest news on TV, the receptionists glanced up from their conversation. Their eyes widened as they recognized the woman from the video, forcing a slightly awkward smile.

One receptionist looked back at the screen and then at Charlee, clearly captivated by the latter's striking appearance. Her eyes flicked briefly to Charlee's neck as she processed the latter's check-out.

As Charlee drove home, she reflected on the curious glances she received from the receptionists.

Curious, she pulled out a mirror. The hickeys on her neck were hard to miss.

She reached for her foundation, carefully covering the marks. Most of them were still visible, though.

That man's stamina was truly remarkable.

He looked like he could go on forever without tiring.

Their meeting had begun with a car accident and quickly turned into a night of carefree fun. The memory brought a soft laugh to her lips.

Thirty minutes later, she steered her sports car into the driveway of the Sullivans' grand villa. At the same moment, a black Cayenne rolled in beside her.

As the car door swung open, Liam gently assisted Stacey Sullivan out, treating her with utmost care. His gaze turned cold when he spotted Charlee.

"Keep your troubles away from Stacey. We'll talk later."

His composed manner brought back memories of him setting boundaries, like prohibiting her from eating ice cream during her periods or wearing skirts to school.

There was a time she almost adored this aspect of Liam.

Now, it only disgusted her.

Facing him, she said, "This is good timing. I'm calling off our engagement."

Under the sunlight, she rose elegantly, her perfect skin radiating, her beautiful face emitting a captivating charm.

Liam was caught off guard and then noticed the love bites on her neck; his eyes filled with anger immediately.

Releasing Stacey's arm, he strode toward Charlee and seized her wrist with a grip that almost broke it.

"Where were you last night? Who is responsible for this?"

He resembled a husband who felt deceived.

Oh, the irony.

"Let go," Charlee said, her eyes cold.

"All this time, I've treated you well, yet you've acted shamelessly. To think you'd let another man's lips on your neck!" Liam refused to believe Charlee could betray him like this. He was convinced she'd asked someone to make those marks just to agitate him.

Trapped in his grasp, Charlee flashed a mischievous smile. "Oh, it wasn't just my neck. His kisses covered me completely. He whispered 'baby' with such passion as we made love."

Realizing Charlee had seen the video, Liam's hold inadvertently weakened.

"There's a reason for this. Please, don't let this hurt Stacey."

He was aware of the video then.

He certainly knew how to keep the excitement alive in the bedroom.

Charlee could no longer hold back her frustration and slapped him.

"Charlee, what's going on?" Stacey cried out as she dashed forward, encircling Charlee's waist with her arms and forcibly pulling the latter back. "Liam means the world to me, blame me if you must. He treats you so well. How could you slap him?"

Stacey's tearful plea was followed by a low, sinister chuckle.

Stacey whispered, "So, what is it like to be left alone at your own engagement? I merely scratched my wrist, and Liam couldn't stop comforting me with kisses."

A cold dread crept over Charlee, feeling like she was trapped by a venomous snake, urging her to shove Stacey away. The moment she touched Stacey's arm, Stacey screamed and tumbled to the ground, her wrist bleeding through the bandage.

"Charlee!"

Liam, seething with anger, rushed to Stacey's aid. "You owe Stacey an apology, now!"

"Don't be so harsh, Liam," Stacey said softly, holding onto Liam's hand as he pointed at Charlee, her voice tender yet pitiful. "This is on me; I shouldn't have let my feelings for you go so far. She's supposed to be your bride. It's natural for Charlee to be upset. I accept whatever comes."

Her act of pity managed to melt Liam's heart.

"Please, don't cry, Stacey," he said.