A strange chill crept up Judy’s spine. For no clear reason, a deep unease coiled inside her—like a venomous snake watching her from the shadows. She tightened her grip on Kenneth’s arm and murmured, “Kenneth… do you feel like someone’s watching us?”

“You know,” he said, frowning, “I was just thinking the same thing.” He glanced around, sensing something off, but couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was.

“Maybe we’re just imagining things?” he added after a pause. They rarely went anywhere without security, and if something had been wrong, the bodyguards would’ve said so by now. Turning toward them, Kenneth gave a questioning look.

The guards had been stationed near the entrance the whole time. None of them had noticed anyone suspicious. One of them shook his head, signaling that all was clear.

“See?” Kenneth said reassuringly, brushing her arm. “No one’s out there. Don’t overthink it.”

“Alright,” Judy replied softly, though the feeling in her chest didn’t fade. The moment they reached the car, a familiar voice sliced through the night.

“So this is the man you left me for?”

Judy froze, her blood running cold. She recognized the voice. She slowly turned around. And there he was. Joseph stood behind her, his expression dark and unreadable, his presence suffocating.

“You… what are you doing here?” Judy’s voice rose before she could stop it, shock and disbelief spilling out at once. She had imagined many outcomes, but not this. So that uneasy gaze she’d felt earlier had been him. Of course, it was him.

“Why?” Joseph’s lips twisted into a bitter half-smile. “Are you really that unhappy to see me?” Joseph arched a brow, his eyes shadowed with a trace of hurt as he took a step closer to Judy. “It’s been so long since we last saw each other. Don’t you feel even a little bit of longing?”

Judy met his gaze without flinching. “You’re overthinking it. I’ve moved on with my life, and I don’t miss you at all. Whatever happened between us is over.”

Before Joseph could say another word, Kenneth stepped forward, slipping an arm protectively around Judy’s shoulders. “Sir, please don’t bother my girlfriend. She’s made her choice. We have our own life now.”

“Girlfriend?” Joseph let out a low, humorless laugh, the sound sharp as broken glass. Not that long ago, she had been his—his lover and everything. He could still see her in his memory, flushed and trembling beneath him, whispering his name like a promise. And now she stood there, letting another man claim her as if none of it had ever happened.

“So that’s how it is?” he said coldly, voice edged with disbelief. “You move on that fast?” He didn’t hesitate to lay everything bare, his tone cutting through the night like a blade.

Judy’s face drained of color, her heart pounding in her chest. Shame and fury burned beneath her skin. She should’ve known better than to ever think he’d walk away quietly. She drew in a sharp breath and forced herself to meet his gaze. “Let’s go. If this is what you’ve turned into, then there’s nothing left to say between us.” Her voice was firm, resolute.

But Joseph turned his attention to Kenneth, a mocking smirk curling at the corner of his lips. “So, tell me, knowing what your girlfriend and I have done, you can still stand there like nothing’s happened? Because if it were me, I wouldn’t be able to stomach it.”