Irreplaceable Rose

George didn't finish his sentence. His hand lifted, reaching to smooth my hair.

I turned my head away. His hand froze in midair, his gaze lingering on me for a long time.

Then he rolled off the bed, his back to me, voice hoarse. "Go."

I struggled to my feet, grabbed whatever clothes I could find from the wardrobe, and slipped them on.

At the door, I turned once to look back. His head was bowed, fingers flying across his phone as if sending a message.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips. Without another glance, I walked away.

Outside, the midnight streets were deserted, fine rain drifting down like threads of ice.

I didn't bother with an umbrella, letting the cold water soak me through.

I had no idea how long I walked before stopping, sensing the presence trailing behind me. Turning, I saw Jordan standing a short distance away, his figure stretched long and solitary under the streetlamp.

"Why are you following me?" My voice was hoarse.

He shifted awkwardly, words caught on his tongue. The aloof, untouchable man everyone knew was, in truth, a shy boy.

Finally, he came forward, slipped off his jacket, and draped it gently around my shoulders.

"I was worried about you," he murmured, blushing.

Just then, my phone buzzed. It was a video message from Sarah.

I opened it and my pupils shrank sharply.

On screen, George and Sarah were undressed, tangled in bed. Sarah faced the camera, smiling with triumph and mockery. Beside her, George's profile appeared—his fingers tracing the beauty mark at the corner of her eye, his expression steeped in intoxicated pleasure.

My grip on the phone tightened until my knuckles turned white.

So, the moment George threw me out… they couldn't wait to—

My heart split into a thousand jagged pieces.

Lifting my head, I met Jordan's gaze. "Jordan, do you want to sleep with me?"

He froze, stunned.

I didn't give him time to react. Grabbing his hand, I dragged him toward the nearest hotel.

In the elevator, he finally found his voice. "Catelyn, you don't have to do this—"

"What? Do I disgust you?" My laugh was sharp and cold. "Don't worry. George's a clean freak. He makes me get checked regularly."

His brows furrowed deeper. "That's not what I mean."

Inside the room, I began unbuttoning my shirt.

Jordan caught my wrist—lightly, but with unyielding strength. "Stop."

I looked up at him, only to see the tips of his ears burning red.

"You've never done this before, have you?" I asked.

He turned his face away, a faint sound escaping his throat. "Mm."

I blinked, surprised. After all, he was Sarah's ex-boyfriend.

A slow smile curved my lips. Looping my arms around his neck, I guided him using my fingertips as they traced across his skin.

The air thickened with heat, spiraling into reckless abandon.

By morning, I woke groggy with exhaustion and a lingering ache. The space beside me was empty. Jordan was gone.

The room still smelled faintly of last night's passion.

I picked up my phone, found the video I'd secretly recorded, and sent it to George.

After that, a single message followed: [Seduction complete.]

Then I tossed the phone aside, closed my eyes, and tried to sleep again.

But it wasn't long before the door crashed open.

George stormed in, fury radiating off him. Sarah trailed behind him with a smirk of malicious satisfaction.

His gaze fell on me—disheveled, my body covered in the marks of another man.

In an instant, his eyes turned blood-red.