Unwilling to engage in conversation, Marcus lifted her and led the way to the guest room. Melissa, yearning to express herself, found her attempts thwarted repeatedly.

Marcus, deviating from his usual demeanor, exhibited wild and brusque behavior tonight.

Despite not feeling entirely well, Melissa yielded to him tenderly.

Following multiple intimate encounters, the clock neared half past three in the morning.

Marcus released the woman in his arms, donned his bathrobe, and headed for a shower. Melissa felt almost drained from his advances.

As she listened to the water running in the bathroom, she sensed a hint of rudeness and neglect of her feelings today. Yet she considered that it might be attributed to his long absence from intimacy.

Wrapped in a thin quilt, Melissa rose, her flushed face betraying a hint of joy. Her gaze fell upon a velvet box at the bed's head-a small, exquisite container.

Melissa refrained from touching others' belongings under normal circumstances.

However, in this moment, driven by curiosity, she hesitated and opened it. Inside was an emerald ring with a remarkably well-designed six-carat diamond. Surprisingly, the ring had a small inscription inside the band.

"MY LOVE."

Here rested Marcus' engagement ring.

In a trance, Melissa fixed her gaze on the ring before delicately sliding it onto her ring finger.

It fit flawlessly.

Amid her elation and hopeful sentiments, Marcus emerged from the bathroom, catching sight of her putting on the ring.

Briefly taken aback, Marcus recalled the forgotten engagement ring he had stashed here after the breakup. The casual placement had backfired, caught unawares by Melissa's discovery.

A shadow crossed Marcus' eyes.

Advancing to the window-side sofa, Marcus seated himself. Retrieving a cigarette, he leisurely lit it and indulged in a slow drag.

Fixing his gaze on her, a hint of mockery played in Marcus' eyes.

Overcome with embarrassment, Melissa swiftly removed the ring, stuttering, "I... I just wanted to see how it looks."

Marcus displayed a lack of concern.