Gone Without A Trace

All of Hong Kong knew Lucas Roscente loved me.

Loved me to his bones.

He ruled the city's underworld.

Yet poured all his tenderness into me.

My disappearance terrified him most.

Even amidst gunfire and chaos.

He'd find time to text:

"Sophia, don't worry."

"Coming home soon."

Our wedding was set for tomorrow.

The entire city anticipated the ceremony.

On the wedding eve.

I waited alone in our bridal suite.

Neon lights painted the empty bed through the window.

3 AM.

Still no sign of him.

His phone went unanswered.

Unease coiled in my chest.

At dawn's first light.

He finally appeared.

Cradling a frail figure in his arms.

Isabella Evans.

His childhood sweetheart.

Her body bore purple bruises.

Eyes glazed with confusion.

"Sophia..."

Lucas knelt before me.

Voice raw with emotion.

"She took the Love Potion."

"To save me."

"I can't let her die."

My fingers turned ice-cold.

Noticing the six knife scars on his arm.

Blood soaking through white cotton.

"Will this earn your forgiveness?"

His tormented gaze met mine.

The wedding proceeded as scheduled.

After the banquet.

I removed my makeup in the dressing room.

His men's laughter drifted through the door.

"Boss couldn't wait?"

"Didn't even change from his wedding attire."

"How addictive is that mistress?"

Lucas' dark chuckle answered.

"Last time with her."

"Three days without leaving."

"Care to guess?"

The mirror reflected my ghostly face.

Fingernails biting into my palms.

This grand romance.

Had been nothing but performance.

I whispered to the System.

"Extract me from this world."

The mechanical voice responded.

"Termination confirmed."

"All traces will be erased."

"Countdown: Seven days."

---

Lucas Roscente strode toward me with his men in tow.

His face was tense, beads of sweat glistening at his temples.

"Sophia, there's an emergency in Shanghai."

He pulled me into his arms.

His warm lips brushed lightly against my forehead.

"I'm sorry, darling. I'll make it up to you when I get back."

I wiped the spot where he had kissed me.

The lingering scent of Isabella Evans still clung to his skin.

Lucas stiffened, quickly grabbing my hand.

"Sophia, are you angry?"

"I know tonight is our wedding night, but I have to go."

His voice was earnest, but his eyes darted away.

The man I had loved for seven years suddenly felt like a stranger.

Moments ago, he had been lost in another woman's embrace.

Now he could look at me with such tenderness.

"Lucas, let's get a divorce."

His body went rigid, disbelief flashing across his face.

"Sophia, are you still upset about Isabella?"