Chapter 9


    Tears flowed uncontrobly down Alita’s face when she stepped out of the hotel.


    All the pain she’d been holding back just exploded right then. Alita walked to a coconut tree, gazing


    at the ocean,


    and tears streamed down.


    The breeze blew, ruffling her dress and messing up her neat hair.


    Staring at the surging sea in the darkness, she felt a strange familiarity, as if that ce was her


    ultimate refuge. She was alone in this world. Rtives, husband, and even that old crush–they all


    just left her, and not even


    memories lingered.


    Suddenly, a white rose appeared before her eyes. Startled, she took two steps back, not even


    having time to wipe her tears. She stumbled into a sturdy embrace, and arge hand rested on her


    waist.


    Slightly frightened, she looked up and, by the moonlight, saw a masked face with a tall hat. The only


    visible features were a narrow nose and delicate l*ps. The eyes were hidden under the brim,


    radiating mystery.


    “Who are you?” Alita spoke to him in Theisian, unsure if he was Eskanese or a foreigner.


    The man circled her waist, shaking the white rose and transforming it into a handkerchief. “I’m a


    magician.”


    Alita looked at his hand in surprise. She took the handkerchief and pulled it. “Impressive.


    “Beautiful miss, a handkerchief is for wiping, not pulling.” The man lifted her hand and gently


    pressed it against her face, wiping away the tears.


    The simple gesture made Alita feel warm, and she noticed a fine ring on his pinky finger, sparkling


    silver.


    Despite the ambiguous move, she didn’t push him away. The flirtatious closeness with a stranger


    felt dangerous yet oddly liberating. She felt she could speak freely. “Mr. Magician, everyone needs


    warmth, you know, but I feel so cold and lonely.”


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    “Don’t be afraid. Just hold on tight, and you won’t be cold.” The man’s strong arm–entcircled her,


    leaning down to rest his head on her shoulder. His fluent Ocraolian sounded enchanting.


    Alita smiled. You’re right. Just holding on tight can keep me warm. But I don’t have anyone to hold


    on to.”


    “Don’t you have a husband?”


    “I do, but he’ll never be the one I can hold on to. He doesn’t love me.”


    “Do you love him?” The man’s voice revealed a hint of nervousness.


    After thinking for a while, Alita said, “I’m not sure.” She dared not answer honestly, fearing it would


    only deepen her despair.


    Without any warning, a kiss full of intense desirended on Alita’s l*ps. Alita hastily broke free and


    fled back to


    the hotel.


    Sitting on the lobby sofa, still in shock, she realized how reckless she had been. She had been


    kissed by a


    stranger.


    She sat there for quite a while, and the wound reopened again. The white handkerchief Samuel tied


    for her was nowpletely stained red. Limping back to her room, she saw Jaydon standing at her


    door, hands in his pockets, his tall figure and handsome face exuding inherent nobility.


    Seeing her, he frowned and questioned, “Where did you go?”


    “Visiting a lover,” Alita bluntly replied.