?<strong>Chapter 1079:</strong>


    Talia’s eyes filled with tears. “Aitana’sst wish was for you to stay out of trouble. Please, don’t get dragged into my problems.”


    Their conversation was interrupted by Corey’s arrival. His staturemanded attention, and his presence made Talia visibly tense, causing her to retreat into a corner.


    Pierre stood and faced Corey as he approached. “Mr. Hampton, what brings you here?” he asked.


    Corey’s gaze shifted to Talia, huddling behind Pierre. “What happened here?” he asked.


    Pierre responded with the truth, “I got caught up in a brawl on impulse.”


    “Really?” Corey scoffed. “Then why did that woman run off? Were you involved in prostitution?”


    Pierre averted his gaze, maintaining an indifferent expression. “If you doubt my word, you can ask the police.”


    Corey’s tone hardened. “If it weren’t for Gemma, I wouldn’t have bothereding here to bail you out.” Pierre, visibly distracted, merely frowned and remained silent.


    “Let’s go,” Coreymanded.


    Leaving the station, Pierre touched his wound and was relieved to find it minor.


    Meanwhile, Gemma watched from the car as Pierre exited the building. Her face lit up with a smile. She was just about to step out when she noticed Pierre veer off in another direction.


    Hesitating, Gemma tracked his movements with her eyes. Under a sprawling tree outside the station, a woman stood waiting.


    Pierre approached her, and she leaned into him, sping his hand.


    Gemma felt like a dagger had just stabbed her heart. She slumped back into her seat, her eyes glued to the woman and Pierre.


    From where she sat, she could see the woman’s intense expression as she said something in a low voice, then suddenly broke down, crying into Pierre’s arms, her shoulders shaking uncontrobly.


    Pierre didn’t move an inch. Those broad shoulders, the ones that used to protect Gemma, were now wrapped around someone else.


    Even with Pierre’s back to her, Gemma could feel the heavy tension radiating from him. Was he upset? Feeling heartbroken? Or just trying tofort the woman?


    Pierre and the woman stayed close, clinging to each other as if they were the only ones who understood the pain they shared.


    Gemma couldn’t tear her eyes off them. Why did Pierre seem so broken? Was it because she still loved him and wanted him by her side, leaving him feeling guilty about that woman?


    Gemma kept her face nk, but inside, she wasughing bitterly at herself. A voice in her head told her to look away, to stop torturing herself by watching. But she couldn’t. She hated how her eyes stayed glued to the scene, even as they started to blur with tears. She hated herself for waiting eight hours for Pierre. What a joke her anticipation had turned out to be.


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