Departing without a farewell, reminiscent of her previous departure.

She was aware that Marcus would locate her, unleashing a torrent of furious retaliation.

After Marcus finished his work, he returned to the hotel room.

Silence pervaded, yet disorderly disarray characterized the surroundings. Alarmed by this anomaly, he urgently called out, "Melissa? Melissa!"

Regrettably, no response met his calls.

Swiftly entering the cloakroom, he found a disarrayed suitcase. The impeccably ironed shirt Melissa had packed for him the previous night lay in disarray.

An opened watch box revealed the absence of the expensive timepiece.

Marcus, overcome with a surge of emotion, closed his eyes.

Exiting hastily, Marcus noticed a piece of paper on the table as he passed by.

It was a note left by Melissa.

Marcus gazed at the note left by Melissa, his eyes lingering on it for what felt like an eternity.

In the business world, he was known for his decisiveness, never one to dither or delay.

Yet, this note seemed to press heavily on his heart.

Finally, he mustered the resolve to read it.

The handwriting was rushed, almost frantic.

“Sorry, Marcus. I've deceived you once more.

I've never loved you. My heart has always belonged to someone else.

Consider our time together a transaction. You got what you wanted, and so did I.

Forget about me. Don't try to find me."

Marcus read the terse lines over and over.