**Chapter 3** Adam's expression tightened, his thin lips pressed into a hard line. “Celine Tate, get back here right now!” Celine stopped in her tracks, eyes wide with disbelief. “You expect me to return just because you say so? We’re divorced, Adam! I’m not going to tolerate your demands anymore.” Anger simmered beneath Adam’s skin, his teeth grinding together in frustration. “I’m giving you one more chance to rewrite the ending of this story,” he replied, his voice low and steely. Celine’s smile widened, and a glimmer of mischief danced in her eyes. “Is there something wrong with the script I wrote? You’ve been awake for half a year, and in all that time, you haven’t even held my hand. You were in a coma for three years, Adam! Sure, you’re physically fine now, but I seriously doubt your manhood is still up for the task. Maybe you should consult a doctor.” The words hung in the air like a heavy fog, and Adam was left momentarily speechless, the heat rising on his forehead as he felt humiliated. This woman had truly lost her mind! “I’ll show you just how capable I am in bed someday, Celine Tate!” he retorted, his voice rising. “Sorry, but you don’t get that chance anymore," she shot back, her smile unwavering. Before Adam could respond further, there was an abrupt beep, and the call dropped. Seething with rage, he fought against the wave of frustration. All he could hear was the harsh resound of the dial tone, ringing in his ears like a siren. Meanwhile, on the other end of town, Celine had already arrived at her best friend Robin Smith’s apartment. As she ended the call, Robin burst into laughter, giving Celine a thumbs-up. “That was perfect, Celine! He must be furious right now—he might just explode!” Celine felt a surge of satisfaction, realizing that Adam’s previously inflated ego might have suffered a blow from her words. “He needs to be taken down a notch. People should learn to love themselves before seeking approval from others. It's essential to prioritize one's happiness,” she reasoned, recalling the way Carly had left Mr. Alvarez when he was in a coma, yet now he was pursuing her again. Robin chimed in, “It’s better to cut him off than to be strung along.” Celine popped a piece of candy into her mouth, savoring the sweetness as it contrasted sharply with the bitterness in her heart. “That’s the crux of it, Robin. The difference between being loved and unloved is profound. Those who are cherished can act freely, while those unloved remain guarded and insecure.” Robin watched as Celine munched through an entire handful of candy. With a determined pull, she yanked Celine to her feet. “Cheer up, girl! When you let go of one tree, you’ll discover you’ve gained a whole forest!” Celine chuckled, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand while Robin suddenly snatched Celine's thick, horn-rimmed glasses off her face and tossed them straight into the trash. “My glasses!” Celine exclaimed, rushing to retrieve them. Robin stopped her in her tracks. “Celine, you’ve become too accustomed to hiding behind those glasses for all your academic work. You need to take a page from Carly’s book and dress up beautifully!” Flashes of childhood memories surged through Celine's mind, where her parents had dubbed her the ugly duckling, while Carly had effortlessly shone like a swan. It seemed that not just her parents, but Adam too, must have seen her as the ugly duckling she once believed herself to be. “I'm taking you out for a full makeover—hair, makeup, outfit, everything! I want Adam and the others to see just how beautiful you truly are!” Robin declared, her enthusiasm infectious. As they were about to leave, a thought struck Robin. “By the way, Celine, are you sure you don’t want any of Mr. Alvarez's money?” “I have my own money,” Celine replied firmly. “Sure, but what about all that cash going to Carly? She’ll probably thank you for it later.” Celine fell silent, momentarily pondering the truth in Robin's words. “What about that card Mr. Alvarez gave you?” Adam had always been generous, handing Celine a gold-plated black card, yet she had never once used it. With a teasing smile, she pulled the card from her purse. “Well, Mr. Alvarez can cover our shopping spree today!” That night, Club 19 was alive with energy, a dazzling playground for the wealthy elite of Mercy, where rich heirs and socialites danced like they owned the night. Adam sat at a corner booth, clad in a sleek black shirt and pants, his rolled-up sleeves revealing muscular forearms adorned by a watch that screamed luxury. He was everything a man in his position should be—handsome, confident, and entirely magnetic. Beside him was his longtime friend, Benjamin Good, heir to the Goodwin fortune, and a few others from the country’s elite. They shared a laugh, tension easing into jovial banter, but it was Benjamin’s voice that cut through the noise. “What’s this? Celine wants a disco?!” he laughed, prompting the others to join in, amusement dancing in their eyes. “Who doesn’t know how much Celine is in love with you, Mr. Alvarez?” one chimed in with a teasing grin. “She even wanted to marry you while you were off in la-la land!” “There's no way she’d leave you,” another added, his tone daring. “We should place bets on how many days it takes before she reaches out to you.” As the laughter echoed around him, Adam couldn't shake the mix of irritation and intrigue that brewed within him. The night was far from over, and in the chaotic rhythm of the club, he felt the first stirrings of feelings he thought were long buried beneath layers of resentment and pride. Little did he know, Celine was about to turn his world upside down in ways he never expected.