Nelson was behind the wheel when the photo came in.
He caught a glimpse during a red light pause.
The caption was ridiculous, but it still got him to check his phone.
Then he couldn’t look away.
Under a flickering neon sign layered on a retro-looking storefront, a woman in a lace tea-length dresss tood out.
Her heels clicked under the moody lights, all charm and allure.
Draped over her shoulders was a black blazer, her fair arm delicately linked with a man’s.
It looked like something straight out of an old movie poster.
Even though the shot was taken from a distance and only half her face could be seen, it was obvious who she was.
And the man beside her?
That was Adrian—the same guy he’d punched not long ago.
Adrian had actually taken Claire to that kind of place?
Nelson stared hard at the image.
The traffic light turned green, but he didn’t budge.
Horns blared behind him, growing impatient.
Someone got out and banged on his window.
He ignored all of it, called Dominic on speaker, and spun the wheel to speed down another road.
“She’s at Bar N°7?”
His voice sounded tight through clenched teeth the second the call connected.
Dominic had just stepped into the place too, his eyes following a striking silhouette across the dim room like he didn’t notice the pulsating crowd around them.
He ordered a drink, half-smirking.
“Did your brain stop working?
You don’t even recognize the old spot anymore?”
Bar N°7 had a huge sign out front—Nelson had been there before.
Of course he recognized it.
He just didn’t want to believe Adrian had actually brought her inside.
But hearing the thumping bass in the background now, he stepped down harder on the gas.
“Keep an eye on her.”
“No need to tell me twice.”
Dominic swirled the drink in his hand, then raised an eyebrow like something just clicked.
“Hey man, what’s with the sudden concern?
Weren’t you always saying she’s a pain?
Now you’re divorced and digging into stuff about her time abroad, even asking me to watch her?
Seriously, are you okay?”
Nelson couldn’t care less about arguing.
His tone was cold, clipped.
“We’re not divorced.
Legally, she’s still my wife.”
Dominic exhaled dramatically.
“Buddy, you can’t play both sides.
If you’re still marrying Serena, just finish the divorce already—maybe then I can finally ask her out—”
The line went dead before he could finish.
Dominic clicked his tongue, but when he looked back, the slim figure near the bar had vanished.
In the vibrant chaos of the dance floor, lights flashed and music pulsed so loud it made the floor thrum.
Claire followed Adrian through the crowd, stopping by one of the booths.
“He probably won’t find me here.
Guy’s still on the phone.”
She ordered a drink, glancing in Dominic’s direction.
Having been tailed multiple times overseas, Claire had gotten a sixth sense for eyes on her.
When she spooked at the doorway earlier, she already knew someone was watching.
Adrian frowned, swiped the drink from her hand, and told the bartender, “Get her a glass of milk.”
The bartender blinked but nodded and walked off.
People nearby caught the words and turned to stare.
Claire, cheeks flushing instantly, kicked at Adrian’s calf.
“…Seriously, you brought me to a bar for milk?”
Adrian gave her a sideways glance.
“You really wanna drink alcohol right now?”
Claire shrank her neck like a kid caught sneaking snacks.
She glanced at the dance floor.
“…Fine, but I wanna dance.”
Adrian didn’t stop her.
He let out a low chuckle and grabbed a nearby drink before sitting down himself.
Right then, the thunderous beat in the club abruptly cut off.
People looked around, puzzled, before a familiar classic tune filled the space—”Careless Whisper.”
Saxophone notes wove through the air—smooth, nostalgic, and oddly fitting.
Instead of killing the party mood, they added a touch of charm to the writhing crowd.
No one knew when Dominic had shown up, but there he was now, right in front of Claire, arm outstretched like a perfect gentleman.
“Been a while, Miss Thompson.
I wonder if I could be lucky enough to have this dance?”
Claire remained still, letting him stay half-bowed.
“It has been a while.
Last I heard, Mr.
Reynolds was living abroad.
When did you get back?”
Of course she remembered Dominic.
Childhood friend of Nelson.
Back when Serena was still overseas, Claire used to attend all those fancy social gatherings with the city’s elite.
She and Dominic were decently acquainted back then.
But later, she was edged out of that life.
The teen years are crucial—friend circles, worldviews, all form around that time.
Once Claire was pushed out, she naturally drifted from people like him.
“Just got back a few days ago.
Thought I’d come out for some fun and, what do you know, I ran into you.
Lucky me.”
Dominic didn’t seem bothered at all by her lack of enthusiasm.
His smile remained, smug and lazy, the very picture of a carefree trust fund kid.
“It’s been years.
Let’s catch up a bit—unless you’re really going to turn me down, Claire Bear?”
Before Claire could answer, Adrian was already shooting him a frosty look from the side.
Did he just call her “Claire Bear”?
Dominic followed the glare and looked his way.
But before the two made eye contact, Claire stepped forward, cutting off the tension.
“Well, I’m surprised you still remember that nickname from over ten years ago.
Guess I really have to dance with you now, don’t I?”
She raised her hand and gently placed it into Dominic’s palm.
The jacket on her shoulder slipped off naturally, and with her other hand, Claire tossed it to Adrian.
A sweet, slightly teasing smile curved her lips.
“Adrian, I’m gonna go reconnect with an old friend for a bit.
I’ll be back, okay?”
Without waiting for a reaction to Adrian’s clearly displeased expression, she let Dominic lead her to the center of the dance floor.
Good-looking guy, gorgeous girl—it immediately drew attention.
Dominic had moved abroad right after high school, only returning to the country a handful of times.
His dates in recent years were completely different from the poised, classic beauty now in his arms.
With her slim waist under his hand, he was suddenly all stiff, even his steps a little off beat.
“You seem a bit rusty, Mr.
Reynolds.”
Claire looked up at him, her voice lazy and teasing.
His palm suddenly felt like it was burning.
Dominic cleared his throat and stared at the top of her beautifully flowing hair.
“Yeah, been a while.”
Claire gave a faint smile.
“No worries, I’m out of practice too.
When I was abroad, it was all classes and part-time jobs.
No time for dancing.
Honestly, not much need either.”
She wasn’t sure if Dominic had checked up on her history.
Whatever was on the record overseas, her sixth brother Ethan Fields had curated it—nearly impossible for outsiders to dig anything up.
But now that Dominic was back, he could be working with Nelson…
Just then, her cool gaze glanced over his shoulder—and landed on a familiar figure making its way toward them.
Her steps faltered.
She missed the beat.
One heel rolled awkwardly, throwing her off balance—her petite frame toppled forward straight into Dominic’s chest.
At the same moment, Dominic’s hand, almost instinctively, slid down to catch her waist…
From across the room, Nelson’s dark eyes suddenly narrowed.