Whirling around, I came face to face with the red witch. With arms crossed over her chest, she sized me up and down with her cat eyes. Her nose crinkled with disgust.

“I don’t know what he saw in you. But I have to say, you trapped him pretty well in your web.”

Biting my inner cheek, I cast the tissue into the bin and turned to her. “And guess what? I didn’t even have to throw myself on him like a shameless woman to trap him. Seems like that trick got quite old now.”

Her face turned red, matching her dress, eyes flashing. “So, you used the bed then? Otherwise, a man like him wouldn’t even look at you if not you pleased him well. Am I right? Where did you take your classes to please a man like that, anyway? He seemed so lost in you.”

My hands fisted into balls. “From the same place you took your PhD. I’m sure you got your answers. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go back inside. He must be looking for me.”

Leaving her flushed with rage, I walked out of the bathroom.

Bitch! How dare she? Oh, how I wanted to pull her hair out of her scalp!

Fuming in anger, I passed a couple wrapped around each other, pulling at their partner’s clothes out of desperation. Noticing me, they jumped away from the other like even the mere proximity burned them. Their faces flamed crimson as they shuffled into their places.

Saving them from the embarrassment, I got out of the corridor as fast as I could. Even my own cheeks grew hot at someone’s personal spectacle.

As I passed a floor-to-ceiling window, something caught my eye. Halting, I neared the window and peeked outside. Two figures stood there under the shadow, down in the hotel garden.

I squinted. I… knew them.

Was that—Arthur?

When he ran his hand through his hair, the numerous rings on his fingers lustered under the moon. It was indeed him. Along with him was a figure of a woman, but I couldn’t make out her face properly from this far.

Who was he talking to?

The woman’s shoulders shook as she placed her hand over her mouth. I didn’t know Arthur could crack a joke. All I saw him do was stay emotionless and cold.

Deciding it was none of my business, I was about to go back inside when the woman stepped behind and walked away from him with her arms wrapped around her. When the hotel’s walkway’s light fell on her face, a gasp slipped through my lips.

Sierra?

When she wiped her cheeks, I understood she wasn’t laughing, she was crying.

What was she doing here with Arthur? As far as I knew, her presence wasn’t required here at all. Nor was she invited.