"You don't want to?" he asked, his voice flat.

Releasing his hand, Melissa stepped back until she was against the French window. Behind her sprawled the vibrant city of Warsew, but her heart felt ice cold.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

She wasn't sure if her tears were for herself or out of pity for Marcus.

A man of Marcus' stature could have anything he desired; he didn't need her. Her background would only bring him shame and endless complications.

The Jenkins family wouldn't let her go.

They would likely do anything and everything to make sure she married their son.

Melissa sobbed. "Marcus, I don't love you."

Gathering her strength, she shouted, “I don't love you! Do you hear me? Do you think you can have everything you want just because you're powerful? Your arrogance is suffocating. I've never liked you.

Even if Ryan is flawed, I believe he's been forced, and I will love him. Marcus, we're worlds apart. How could there be love between us?

Are you delusional, or am I just exploiting your feelings?"

After her outburst, Melissa was panting, her chest heaving with emotion.

Her heart ached with the words she had just spoken.

She half-expected Marcus to strike her, to turn and then walk away, leaving her behind.

That might be for the best. At least then, he wouldn't be tainted by her.

But Marcus just stared at her, silent and inscrutable.

Melissa stood her ground, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes, I never liked you. It was all a facade. Your affection never moved me. Each time we had sex, I felt nothing, yet I pretended otherwise.

From my first day at the company, I've been deceiving you.

Even my virginity, I saved it, not because it was meaningless, but for a price. I took your watch, worth 20 million dollars. But sadly, you caught on."

Tears hung delicately on her lashes, betraying the pain behind her harsh words.