He stood up straight, elongating his slender body.

Then he slowly turned his head and stubbed out the cigarette between his fingers. In an emotionless voice, he asked, “Why are you here?

How many times do I have to tell you not to look for me? Melissa, no matter what you do, it's useless. We had our share of good times, but those days are over. Besides, I already told you that if you have a request, just say it."

The dying embers on the cigarette butt sputtered feebly before going out.

Marcus turned around, and there was no emotion on his handsome face.

“I've told you that you can have anything you want-except me."

He had done all the talking up until this point. Melissa said nothing, but she kept staring at him. After a long time, she finally opened her mouth and asked in a hoarse voice, “Marcus, do you have someone else?"

Marcus was stunned.

Then he followed her gaze and saw the lipstick mark on the collar of his shirt.

Jessie must've left it there on purpose.

Marcus forced a smile and said casually, "That shouldn't concern you.

And you shouldn't be here."

As he spoke, Marcus started to walk towards the private room.

As he brushed past Melissa, she grabbed his arm tightly and pleaded, "Don't do this, Marcus."

There was silence.

She raised her head, and their eyes met. Hers were welling up with tears as she said, "Please don't love someone else."

Marcus laughed, half-bitter, half-incredulous.

He pried her hand off his arm and sneered. “Why do you care so much?

Who do you think you are to tell me what to do? Miss Brown, do you seriously think that I took you to the hospital because I can't forget about you? If so, you're sorely mistaken. I would've done it for a stray dog on the road, let alone you, a human being."

"Marcus, you're wrong about that," Melissa said stubbornly.