Winter is Over, Now The stars are Bright

She shook her head, pressing her forehead against the back of my hand as her voice broke into a trembling plea.

“This world is too dangerous... I want a home with you.”

Her words hung in the air, raw and fragile. She lifted her gaze to meet mine, her reddened eyes glistening with sincerity.

“Sam,” she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions. “My heart aches for you. Stay... stay by my side, okay?”

Maybe it was the desperate look in her eyes, or perhaps it was the quiet vulnerability in her voice. Whatever it was, something in me wavered. Against all reason, I found myself nodding as if her words had cast a spell over me.

From that moment on, I became obsessed with breaking free from the organization. I sought an exit, a way to disappear and live under the radar—all so I could stand by Shindy’s side.

I fantasized about building a home with her, about peace.

Even that bullet, the one that had once symbolized violence and death, was transformed into a necklace she wore close to her heart.

“This bullet,” she had once said, her voice soft with conviction, “will always remind me that Samuel is the love of my life.”

But now...

She knew perfectly well what that bullet represented, yet she had given it to someone else. If that was the case, I had no reason to stay.

***

The next day, Shindy finally returned home, carrying the weight of a business reception scheduled for the afternoon.

“I’m here to pick you up,” she said casually, as if nothing had changed.

I glanced at the clock on the wall. There were still a few hours before Boss’s car would come for me. Not wanting to stir up suspicion or unnecessary trouble, I nodded silently and changed clothes to accompany her.

The banquet hall shimmered under soft chandeliers, the air thick with the mingling scents of wine and cologne. Shindy slipped her arm through mine, guiding me gracefully through the sea of suits and cocktail dresses.

We were a picture of effortless elegance—at least on the surface.

Out of nowhere, a woman in a fiery red dress stumbled toward us. The glass of red wine she held wobbled precariously before crashing into me, the dark liquid splashing across my chest and sliding down my collarbone.

Her eyes widened as they shamelessly roamed over my drenched figure.

“Ms. Noel,” she purred with a sultry smile, “this companion of yours is quite the sight.”

Shindy’s expression remained perfectly composed. She took another glass of red wine from a nearby table and handed it smoothly to the woman.

“You’re joking, General Manager Lind,” she said with a polite but pointed smile. “When you go out, it’s only natural to bring someone... presentable.”

Her voice held a subtle edge as she continued, “Since you seem impressed, it just so happens I’ve reserved a table for dinner. Let’s discuss the development of the resort over a good meal.”

Lindsey’s eyes gleamed with interest, her gaze lingering on me like a predator sizing up prey. I’d been in situations like this before—paraded by Shindy at lavish events, used as a shield against unwanted advances or as bait to sweeten business deals.

A charming companion, a capable bodyguard, a convenient prop. But never, never her fiancé. I swallowed the bitterness threatening to rise and forced a polite smile.

“I’m not exactly presentable like this,” I said smoothly. “I’ll head to the lounge to clean up. Please excuse me.”

Shindy nodded faintly, her expression unreadable.

***

It took an hour for the staff to return my freshly cleaned clothes. I changed quickly and made my way back toward the banquet hall, but as I passed one of the lounges, a muffled sound caught my attention. The door was slightly ajar.

A woman's breathless gasps drifted into the hallway, followed by a voice dripping with desire.

“I didn’t bring you here for nothing,” the woman murmured coyly. “The people out there aren’t trustworthy. I couldn’t risk you getting hurt.”

The man’s voice was low, filled with barely restrained lust.

“But seeing him standing next to you—” he growled, “it nearly drove me mad with jealousy.”

Her laughter was soft and teasing.

“Don’t get so worked up,” she chided playfully. “Keep your voice down. Didn’t you say he’s in the lounge too? What if he hears us?”

The man’s hands didn’t falter.

“The soundproofing in these high-class lounges is top-notch,” she reassured him confidently. “And besides... I already closed the door.”

Their voices melded into a salacious symphony of whispers and gasps as the man continued his brazen advances.

“I love you,” he said hoarsely, his breath ragged. “You surprise me every time.”

I stood frozen for a long moment, my jaw clenched. The contrasts Shindy embodied never ceased to shock me. But the realization settled heavily in my chest—none of it surprised me anymore. Not really.

The moment Reinn's words fell, his gaze shifted sharply, locking eyes with mine across the room. In that instant, everything became clear. His appearance here wasn’t a coincidence—none of this was. The entire setup, right down to me witnessing their intimate little act, had been carefully orchestrated by Reinn.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips. Without a word, I broke eye contact and calmly stepped forward to close the lounge door for them.

As I descended the stairs, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

“Samuel, where are you? I’m coming to get you now,” Shindy’s anxious voice filtered through the line. “There’s been a change of plans,” I said evenly. “We need to leave immediately.”

After sharing the address with my boss, I walked straight out of the hotel, never bothering to return to the banquet hall. This was fate, I told myself—God’s will, even.

Shindy... we will never meet again.