Past Love's Expiry Date

Hendrix didn't get home until the early hours of the morning.

Making the decision to leave had been instantaneous, but the bond he'd had with Sabrina for over 20 years wasn't something that could just vanish. He wasn't that strong to simply let go.

To avoid any regrets, he figured it was best to stay away from Sabrina for the next couple of weeks.

When he got back to Gorman Manor, the house was pitch dark.

Hendrix didn't bother turning on the lights. He dragged his tired body straight toward his bedroom.

But then, a voice called out to him from the living room, "Hendrix."

He turned around and saw someone sitting on the couch.

"Yes, Mr. Shepard?"

Rowan was wearing a black silk robe. It was a robe Hendrix knew too well.

Sabrina had one just like it, but in red. It was obviously a matching set.

Rowan gave a slight smile. "Bri got this robe for me. Do you think it looks good?"

As he sat up straight, the red marks on his body gradually became visible. Against the black silk, they seemed even more suggestive.

He gently touched the mark on his neck and winced in mock pain before complaining, "Bri's taste in dresses is questionable, but her taste in sleepwear? Spot on. She says… my abs are the most attractive she's ever seen."

Hendrix stood at the top of the stairs, looking down at Rowan with a cold gaze. He smirked slightly. "Rowan, you should tone it down."

"Tone it down? What do you mean?"

"The sleaze."

Rowan chuckled softly. "But Bri loves it. The second she gets home, she insists I take a shower and then—"

"Enough. I don't want to hear it."

"Whether you want to hear it or not, it's the truth. She's crazy about my body. Your 20 years of history don't even matter. People just choose who they're most compatible with in bed."

Hendrix didn't feel like wasting any more time on Rowan. He turned to walk away. "Go ahead and perform your little show. I don't have the time to watch."

But Rowan didn't let up. He quickly caught up to Hendrix. "You can't see the marks Bri left on me from way over there, can you? Don't go, Hendrix. Come closer and take a good look."

As he spoke, he had already caught up and grabbed Hendrix's arm.

A wave of disgust rose in Hendrix's stomach. He instinctively pulled away. "Don't touch me!"

From down the hall, Sabrina emerged from the bedroom and asked, "What are you two talking about at this time?"

Just as Hendrix was about to speak, Rowan flashed him a sly grin.

Then, in an instant, Rowan's expression shifted to one of shock. He tumbled down the stairs with a shriek.

"Rowan!"

Sabrina immediately set down the glass of milk she was holding and rushed to him. She pulled him into her arms. "Are you okay?"

Rowan lay in her embrace and said, "I'm fine. Don't blame Hendrix. It wasn't his fault."

Sabrina lifted her gaze. When she looked at Hendrix, there was clear disappointment in her eyes.

"Hendrix, no matter how you feel about Rowan, you can't push him down the stairs! Do you realize how dangerous that could've been?"

Her voice softened as she turned back to Rowan. She gently helped him to his feet. "Let's go back to the room. I'll check to make sure you're not hurt."

Rowan said, "We should probably keep a little distance in front of Hendrix from now on. It's natural for him to feel possessive. After all, he used to be the one by your side, and now there's me. It's tough for him to accept. We should give him time to adjust."

Sabrina coldly replied, "He'll have to get used to it eventually."

She helped Rowan back to their bedroom. Before they went in, Rowan turned around and flashed a gesture of victory at Hendrix.

Hendrix suddenly felt as if the world he knew was slipping away from him. Rowan's presence had shattered his world entirely.

He couldn't understand why Sabrina had fallen for someone like Rowan.

Could it really be, as Rowan claimed, that people always went for the thrill when it came to love and desire?

Hendrix didn't get it. But at that moment, he didn't care to understand.

The next morning, Hendrix went to the magazine office. He had been a staff photographer there for three years, and his relationships with his colleagues were excellent.

When the editor-in-chief, Noah Richardson, received his resignation letter, he was surprised. "Is it because of the pay? You could've just mentioned it. I can talk to the boss about it."

Smiling, Hendrix shook his head. "Thanks, Mr. Richardson, but it's not about the pay."

"Then what's the reason?"

"I have other plans for my life."

Noah's face lit up in understanding. "Are you planning to marry Sabrina? I've seen how much she's cared for you all these years. Getting married is a good thing. I won't stop you, then."

After hearing the first half of Noah's words, Hendrix wanted to explain that Sabrina was getting married, but the groom wasn't him.

However, after Noah finished speaking, Hendrix lost the desire to explain.

With the complicated mess between him, Sabrina, and Rowan, there was no way to explain it all in a few words. Right now, he just wanted to wrap up his resignation and leave this painful place in two weeks.

"Oh, by the way, Hendrix, when's the wedding? Be sure to send me an invite so I can celebrate with you both," Noah said.

Hendrix gave a stiff smile.

Just then, Nathan Cooper, the receptionist, came rushing over. After knocking on the door, he poked his head in excitedly.

"Hendrix, Sabrina's here to pick you up again. And she came with a surprise today!"