In the back of the sleek black limousine, Marcus busied himself with his laptop, barely acknowledging Violette. Noticing his indifference, she leaned in and whispered, "I'm sorry for the interruption, Marcus.

When will you have a moment?"

Marcus didn't look up as he replied, “If you're bored, I can have the driver take you home."

Her heart sank at his words, and she fought back tears, insisting, "No, I'm not bored at all. Please, continue with your work."

Touched by her thoughtfulness, Marcus ceased his work and finally looked up to meet her gaze.

Violette was indeed caring, yet he struggled to reciprocate her feelings, finding their moments together lacking spark.

He acknowledged internally that his treatment of her was unfair.

Marriage was a possibility, and conventionally, he should devote time to nurturing their relationship, ensuring Violette felt cherished and ultimately, deeply in love.

A happy procession down the aisle seemed within reach if he just invested the necessary time and effort, aiming to fully satisfy Violette's expectations.

Reflecting on his thoughts, Marcus closed his laptop and turned to gaze deeply at Violette.

Under his intense scrutiny, she became visibly uneasy, her cheeks flushing as she averted her gaze. Marcus reached out, his fingers brushing against her hair with a gentleness that belied his stoic facade.

However, the stiffness from the hair gel made him pause, and with a slight frown, he withdrew his hand, remarking, “We're almost there," in a tone that masked his inner turmoil.

The air in the car thickened with unspoken tension, a sensation Violette mistakenly believed was shared. Unbeknownst to her, her feelings of anticipation were not reciprocated.

Meanwhile, Marcus' thoughts drifted to the upcoming party, specifically to the unexpected presence of Melissa.

The event was an intimate gathering, allowing only a select few attendees.

Melissa, stepping in for Albert's absent date, radiated elegance in a black dress that accentuated her silhouette, complemented by a minimalist pearl necklace, that lent her an air of sophistication.

As she mingled, wine glass in hand and arm Linked with Albert's, she drew the admiring glances of many, a testament to her allure.

Marcus, no stranger to the nuances of desire, recognized the intent behind those gazes.

They reflected a longing for possession, a desire to captivate Melissa's attention.

Observing Melissa, now exuding confidence and allure, Marcus pondered the changes time had wrought upon her.