Chapter 3

Ajax said: "Felix, I think I see Pierce."

"..."

Thanks. I'm not blind.

Pierce seemed to be looking for someone. His wandering gaze suddenly landed on me, his brow furrowing as he squinted.

I quickly snatched Ajax's cap and pulled it down over my head, tugging the brim low.

I'd just gotten covered in blood upstairs.

The smell of blood on me was so strong it almost overpowered the mixed scents of the nightclub, rushing straight into my nostrils.

Pierce absolutely couldn't see me like this.

Otherwise, the game would really be over.

As Pierce passed by, I turned and lit a cigarette. The smoke blurred the space between us.

For a moment, I saw Pierce reach his hand toward me.

My heart raced, my pupils contracted. I hoped he wouldn't recognize me, but I also hoped he could see through the smoke and grab hold of me.

"Pierce."

That moment of connection was severed. Pierce lowered his hand and looked toward the voice. When he saw who called him, his eyes lit up, the corners of his mouth lifting in a subtle smile.

That kind of smile—I'd seen it a thousand times, ten thousand times, eight years ago.

A smile that belonged only to Faye.

Pierce brushed past me, walking toward Faye.

Whenever Faye was around, Pierce wasn't my Pierce anymore.

I crushed the burning cigarette into my palm, turned around, and watched them openly.

Right now, I didn't need to worry about Pierce recognizing me.

When Faye appeared, Pierce couldn't see anyone else.

Over there, Pierce stood sideways, slightly bent at the waist, listening quietly and attentively to what Faye was saying.

For Pierce to look back at me? I'd have to wait until the next life.

But someone like me, when I die, I'm going to hell. Who knows if there'll even be a next life.

So, what was that saying? Some flowers need to be plucked when they bloom.

I pointed at Pierce's back and told Ajax: "You stay here and watch him. If he hasn't left in ten minutes, tie him up and send him to Seaview Bay."

I took a few steps away, then turned back and said to Ajax:

"Be careful. Don't hurt him."

I leaned against my car and called Pierce. He didn't answer the first time.

The second call finally went through. I whined lazily: "Pierce, why aren't you home? I'm starving."

It was noisy on his end: "I've got something to take care of. Grab something outside."

"Pierce, my stomach hurts. Can you come home early?"

"Mm. Gotta go."

I stared at the darkened screen for a long time before shoving my phone into my pocket.

I waited outside the nightclub for ten minutes. Pierce didn't come out.

I told him my stomach hurt, and he still didn't come home.

I knew I couldn't compare to Faye, but I didn't think the gap was this big.

I was about to go crazy with jealousy.