Luisa's heart pounded inside her chest, her mind ringing with disbelief as she and the woman stared at each other.

Alden's face fell. "Vanessa?"

Luisa had hoped this was all a mistake-that in their haste to make love, Alden had accidentally brought her to the wrong penthouse, But the fact that he recognized the woman shattered her heart. "Who is this bitch, Alden?" the woman demanded, her face scrunching up with jealousy.

"Don't you dare call her that," Alden hissed.

Luisa forced a smile, her voice cold. "Don't worry, Vanessa This bitch is leaving." She slid the straps of her dress back onto her shoulders and turned to Alden. "I didn't know you were already occupied. Sorry."

Panic flashed through Alden's eyes. "Luisa, no. I'm not. I don't know what she's doing here." He turned to Vanessa, glaring at her. "What the hell are you doing here, Vanessa?"

"Because I wanted to see you, what else?" Vanessa got up from the bed, not even bothering to cover naked body.

She was absolutely gorgeous with her pale skin that worked so well with her long, flowing red hair. Luisa's heart squeezed painfully, and tears burned in Luisa's eyes, but she held them back, refusing to cry in front of them.noveldrama

"Excuse me," she said, sidestepping Alden to leave the room. He attempted to hold her back, but she shook him off and stormed out.

His footsteps thudded behind her as he rushed after her. Just as she got to the door, he caught up with her, grabbing her by the arm.

"Luisa, wait! Please, this isn't what you think," Alden pleaded.

"Let go of me, Alden," she spat, her voice trembling with hurt.

"No, please, let me explain!" he insisted, desperation creeping into his voice.

Fury surged through Luisa, and before she could stop herself, her hand flew to his cheek, the slap echoing through the room. Alden released her immediately, staring at her in shock. Luisa was just as surprised by what she'd done, but she was too angry to apologize. Without another word, she stormed out of his penthouse.

"Good riddance," Vanessa's voice cooed behind Alden. "Now we have the penthouse all to ourselves. We have so much to catch up on."

Alden whirled around, his face contorted with impatience. "I have nothing to catch up on with you! What the hell are you doing here, Vanessa? And for God's sake, put some clothes on."

Not responding, Vanessa sauntered towards him, walking in the most sultry way possible, but Alden's gaze only remained on her face as he buttoned his shirt and zipped up his trousers.

"I came because I missed you," she purred, reaching out to touch his cheek.

Alden caught her wrist before she could touch him. "You have no shame, do you? Coming back here after what you did?" He let out a bitter laugh. "You cheated on me and left me for someone else because, apparently, he was better. So why are you here? Your little fling with the playboy didn't work out?"

Vanessa flushed with embarrassment. "I thought I liked him, but I realized I couldn't stop thinking about you."

Alden wasn't fooled, smirking. "Let me guess-he cheated on you, didn't he?"

Vanessa hesitated, then protested weakly, "No, he was really into me. I was the one who-"

"I don't care!" Alden snapped, his voice rising. "You don't get to waltz back into my life like you still have any right. I don't feel a thing for you anymore. The woman who just left is my girlfriend, and you're not going to ruin this for me. Is that clear?"

He quickly buckled his belt, his eyes narrowing. "I'm going after her. And when I get back, I want you gone. Forever. You can leave the spare key on the centre table or keep; I'll change the locks anyway."

Without waiting for a response, he stormed out of the apartment, determined to chase after the woman who now held his heart.