A Season Without Her

Chapter 4 Public Humiliation

Cynthia opened her mouth, but no words came out. So, this was how he saw her—a woman who would never dare to leave him.

When she did not respond, Ryan took her silence as submission. His tone softened slightly.

"Cynthia, stop making a scene. Get ready tonight and come with me to a press conference."

She wanted to refuse outright. Anger surged inside her, hot and sharp.

But this was the first time Ryan had ever asked her to accompany him in public.

In the end, emotion overruled reason.

That evening, Cynthia changed into a white evening gown and waited quietly for Ryan to pick her up.

When they arrived at the venue, he did something that caught her off guard.

"Take my arm," he said. "Stay with me."

For a fleeting second, her bruised heart seemed to beat with hope again.

Then she saw Chloe standing not far away.

A man stood beside Chloe, and the two of them were laughing as they talked.

Ryan's hand tightened around Cynthia's.

"You're hurting me," she said softly.

He did not respond. His eyes were fixed on Chloe and the man beside her.

Without warning, he reached into his pocket and took out a dazzling diamond necklace. He stepped closer and fastened it around Cynthia's neck himself. His breath brushed against her ear, warm and intimate, and her heart trembled despite herself.

"Well? Do you like it?" he asked in a low voice.

Cynthia lowered her head to look at the necklace glittering against her skin. It was exquisite and unmistakably expensive.

But before she could answer, she followed the direction of Ryan's gaze.

He was staring straight at Chloe, jealousy laid bare in his eyes.

Across the hall, Chloe seemed to notice them. Almost deliberately, she slipped her arms around the man's neck and kissed his cheek.

The next moment, Ryan seized Cynthia's hand and pulled her away from the crowd.

He dragged her into a deserted stairwell.

Before she could react, he pressed her against the wall and kissed her.

"Ryan, what are you doing? Someone might come."

"So what?"

She struggled, but he only held her tighter. There was something fierce and possessive in his grip, yet his eyes were cold.

Cynthia could see it clearly.

There was no tenderness in his expression, no desire meant for her. His kiss felt harsh and empty, as if he were using her to vent the jealousy burning inside him.

His hand slid beneath her skirt, and humiliation flooded through her.

Just as she tried to push him away, she saw someone standing outside the stairwell door.

It was Chloe.

Tears shimmered in Chloe's eyes. She covered her mouth and ran off.

In that instant, Cynthia understood everything.

Ryan had not kissed her because he wanted her. He had done it to provoke Chloe.

The realization turned her blood cold. Was she nothing more than a tool to him?

The humiliation seared through her chest.

Without hesitation, she shoved him away and slapped him hard across the face. The sharp sound echoed through the empty stairwell.

"Stay away from me."

Ryan stared at her in shock, his hand slowly rising to touch his reddened cheek.

"What is wrong with you? Isn't this what you wanted?"

"What do you think I am?"

Tears trembled in Cynthia's eyes, but her voice did not waver.

"You have never respected me. Not even once."

She smoothed her hair, steadied her breathing, and walked out of the venue without looking back.