Chapter 34: You're Still Mine!

Livia was panicking. She felt utterly humiliated, knowing that Valentia had likely witnessed the entire embarrassing scene.

"That guy is so hot," Florence gripped Livia's hand, continually looking back. "He's watching you."

Livia's heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself not to look back.

"Is that Valentia's boyfriend?" asked Florence. "She seems really into him."

Livia's mind was a mess, and she shook her head, "I need to go back."

"Livia, is there something going on with you and that guy?" Florence frowned at her. "You seem off."

Livia was aware she was off, but not for the reasons Florence might think—not because of the man's striking looks or his apparent closeness with Valentia. She was distressed over her own recent clumsy moment, wishing desperately that she could rewind time and avoid giving him another second's attention.

Without explaining to Florence, Livia returned to her room and took a shower, trying to stabilize her emotions.

She slipped into a loose-fitting dress, not intending to go out again.

The hotel offered a stunning view that she could enjoy from her balcony: a sweeping vista of the ocean framed by towering palm trees.

As the sunset tinged half of the horizon red, the ocean displayed a blend of blue and crimson hues—a breathtaking sight.

Livia took a photo with her phone, captured a side-profile selfie, and then posted them on social media with the caption: "This beautiful day was marred by my own lack of grace."

All she hoped for now was a smoother tomorrow.

Florence insisted they go out to dinner, and although Livia initially resisted, she couldn't fend off her friend’s enthusiasm.

With no other viable options, Livia slipped into an ombre blue sundress paired with a lightweight cardigan. Succumbing to Florence's tenacity, they arrived at an adorable local eatery celebrated for its sumptuous buffet.

"I've done some snooping," Florence said, winking at Livia, "you can eat here for hours, and the seafood is always super fresh. Plus, this is a prime spot for running into some handsome men."

Livia just rolled her eyes without a word.

As Florence picked over the food while surreptitiously scanning for potential romantic encounters, she seemed to forget all about Livia.

Livia just sighed, gave the offerings a glance, and, after making her selections, found a quiet corner to settle in and eat in peace.

Livia, with her stunning features, couldn't help but grab attention wherever she went.

Yet nestled in her corner, she exuded a 'leave me alone' vibe that daunted the faint-hearted.

But there were always those few brazen souls, undaunted by her cold allure.

When a courteous man asked to share her table, Livia, not prone to social anxiety, found no objection in a communal dining setting and allowed him to join.

Initially, the man didn't engage in conversation, focusing instead on his meal, but eventually, he struck up a casual and natural discussion about the food.

Their conversation touched on various topics like origins and professions, and before long, they found more subjects to unravel.

To Livia's surprise, the man was also an educator – a university professor, no less.

"You're a professor?" Livia exclaimed a hint of astonishment in her voice. "But you look so young!"

"Just good at appearing youthful," Lucas Gavin responded with a smile. "I'm actually thirty-five."

Livia exclaimed with surprise, "I would never have guessed. I thought we were the same age."

"Thanks," Lucas replied, thoughtfully avoiding any questions about Livia's age.

The atmosphere between them grew more animated, and their conversation flowed easily.

Completely unaware, they didn't realize that their harmonious interaction was causing pain to someone outside the restaurant.

As the evening wore on, Lucas politely escorted her to the hotel entrance. They exchanged contact details before parting ways.

Florence hadn't come back, having gone out to enjoy the night with a suave foreigner.

Livia still wasn't comfortable going out alone with a man she had just met, so upon returning to the hotel. She prepared for bed.

Just as she was about to lie down, the doorbell rang.

Livia figured hotel security was reliable, and it was unlikely for any wrongdoers to brazenly cause trouble there.

She assumed it could be a member of the hotel staff.

Opening the door, she was hit by a strong smell of alcohol. The man at the door was smiling, gazing at her.

Livia was puzzled. How did he know she was staying here?

"Did you get the wrong room?" she asked, smelling the alcohol on him and unable to guess how much he had consumed.

Angelo stepped forward, and Livia, cautiously bracing the door, swallowed nervously, "Where's your room? Should I call someone to take you back?"

'Where's Valentia? Why isn't she looking after him?'

The man just stared straight at her without speaking. His gaze made her feel uneasy.

"Maybe I should call Valentia to come get you."

Not knowing which word had set him off, she found herself suddenly pushed fiercely into the room, leaving her no time to react before he closed the door behind him. In moments, she was cornered against the wall.

Livia's eyes widened in panic. "What are you doing? Calm down!"

Only now, so close to him, could she see his eyes were bloodshot as if he had been provoked.

"What do you think I'm going to do?" Angelo's voice was hoarse, tinged with anger as he roughly tore at Livia's clothes.

Livia grabbed his hand, her breathing rapid as she tried to reason with him. "We broke up!"

His movements paused, his glare fierce. " Did I agree to that?"

Livia was completely panicked.

Angelo's kisses landed on her lips, pulling and biting. Against her lips, he growled hoarsely, "I'm not going to break up with you!"

Livia's mind was a mess. Her lips hurt, and she didn't dare to push him too hard, afraid he might become more violent.

His arms raised hers above her head and his legs parted hers, leaving her with no room to fight back.

His kisses moved from her lips to her neck, gnawing and sucking fiercely as if he wanted to devour her whole.

Livia dared not imagine what she resembled at that moment—a puppet, devoid of resistance, entirely at his mercy.

Perhaps it was her lifeless response that eventually caused Angelo to release her. He clasped her chin, breathing heavily, his gaze cold and irritated. "You don't feel anything for me anymore?"

It was as though her soul had fled from his earlier aggression.

She blinked, the sting from his bites jolting her back to reality. Noticing the redness encircling his eyes, her lips formed the words, "We broke up."

She repeated the phrase.

Angelo's frustration surged, his grip tightening along with his emotions.

Livia, in pain, her face contorting, knew he was livid. She didn't dare speak further, just calmly met his gaze.

After a moment, Angelo enveloped her in his arms, hugging her so tight as if wishing to meld her into his being, his voice hoarse and trembling slightly, "I haven't agreed. You're still mine!"