Chapter 3

I suddenly thought of Mia.

Three years ago, during a cross-border mission, I attended as the Sterling family heiress alongside her, when she was still a newcomer.

In the lounge, some arms dealer drunkenly groped her thigh. I happened to witness it and got her out of the situation.

At the time, I'd just had a fight with Lucas over rumors about him and another woman.

He decided to spite me, laughing in front of everyone, "Miss Sterling likes playing the hero? New girl, you report to me from now on."

I never imagined that would be the beginning of our twisted triangle.

I don't know when Lucas fell for Mia.

He gave her top-tier equipment, hired the best instructors for private training, let her participate in the most important missions.

To spare her any grievance, he bought an entire smuggling route as her birthday present.

Whenever Mia frowned, I didn't need to ask to know why—because Lucas would cut contact with me first, then apologize to the organization using my name.

He said, "Mia is innocent. She can't handle this kind of thing."

She couldn't be wronged, so I had to be the one who suffered.

I stumbled to the private club hosting tonight's celebration for Mia, only to be stopped by security at the door.

"Sorry, Miss Sterling. Mr. Davis ordered that no one disturb Miss Mia."

This club used to be a place Lucas brought me often.

Now that I was discarded, no one would show me any courtesy.

The night wind cut through my thin clothes. My wounds reopened, pain making my teeth chatter.

"Let her in."

I looked up. Lucas stood on the gallery, looking down at me.

Something flashed in his eyes before quickly turning cold again.

"Who are you trying to look pitiful for? Don't you know your old injury acts up when you get a high fever?"

Right. I'd once taken a bullet to the lung saving him. Catching cold always brought on a fever.

Back when things were good between us, he'd wrap me in his coat and stay up all night monitoring my IV drip.

I lowered my head. "I want to talk to Mia."

Lucas frowned slightly, a mocking smile playing at his lips.

"You haven't changed, Kiera."

He was afraid I'd make things difficult for Mia.

After all, I had a "record."

When I first discovered Mia calling Lucas at dawn saying she had nightmares, I'd stormed into her dorm and thrown her phone in the sink in front of the whole team.

As everyone snickered, Lucas came over and slapped me.

Every team member froze.

I stood my ground defiantly. "You're my man. Not just anyone can harass you in the middle of the night."

Lucas just looked at me coldly, publicly shielding the pale-faced Mia behind him.

"Look at yourself, acting like a crazy woman. You think you deserve to call me your man?"

He left me standing there while everyone pointed and whispered.

Because of that, Mia took my place on an overseas mission I'd been preparing for a month.

Lucas locked me in the basement to "reflect."

However many days Mia was unhappy, that's how many days I was confined.

Not a drop of water.

Lucas didn't come back until he'd spent a week comforting her.

Afraid she'd be affected by public opinion, he directly transferred operating rights to a port as compensation.

I shook my head, forcing out a smile more painful than crying. "I just want to explain to her that there's nothing between us anymore."

The clear doubt on his face made my heart ache.

I admit I still loved him.

I knew his pride as the Davis heir was immense. All these years, I'd never defied him, terrified that one wrong look would hurt him.

I never expected he could be this ruthless toward me—setting up my family's destruction just to appease Mia.

It wasn't that I didn't love him anymore. I just didn't dare to.

Once grievances take root, they spread wildly.

My eyes instantly reddened.

Lucas frowned.

"If you want to talk, talk. Why are you crying..."

He was about to raise his hand when a figure ran out from the club.

Mia wore a custom evening gown, radiating luxury and confidence—far more dazzling than the timid newcomer from years ago.

More than me, she looked like the princess Lucas treasured.

I smiled bitterly, watching as Lucas quickly walked to Mia's side.