Chapter 3 Behind the 'Ugly' Mask

Axel quickly turned his head, jumped down from the bed, and pulled on his pants. The woman on the bed hurriedly yanked the blanket up to cover her body.

"You damn ugly woman! What the hell are you doing in here?!" Axel barked.

Lena's tearful eyes trembled as she whispered, "This... is my room..."

Axel glared. "I already told you I'd be using this room! Are you stupid?!"

Moments later, the sound of footsteps echoed behind them. Elizabeth-Axel's mother-appeared in the doorway with her husband, their faces burning with anger. Neil followed closely behind.

"God, Axel!" Elizabeth shouted. "Couldn't you have done this in the guest room? Or at a hotel, maybe?!"

"Dad, Mom..." Axel shrugged casually. "This isn't the first time I've brought a girl into this room."

Richard's face turned crimson. "Do you have no respect for your wife at all?! You're married, and you're still fooling around with other women?!"

Axel only smirked. "As if I'd ever touch an ugly woman like her."

The words struck Lena's chest like a hammer. She staggered slightly, her face drained of color. Before she could speak, Elizabeth placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"It's all right, Lena. Just move into the room next door, okay? It's not a problem."

Lena lowered her head, still in shock. She simply nodded, too weary to argue.

At that moment, Neil's gaze sharpened. His expression shifted as his thoughts churned. Lena? he mused silently. A name almost identical... and that body... so strikingly similar to Selena, the owner of the karaoke club...

"We'll move Lena's things tomorrow morning," Elizabeth said firmly. "I'll help you myself."

Lena remained silent. Elizabeth gently took her hand and led her away from the bedroom that should have been a honeymoon suite-now tainted as the scene of the first betrayal.

Neil stood frozen, his eyes locked on Lena's fading figure.

His usually impassive face slowly shifted. "Selena..."

---

Night once again blanketed the city. The River family estate seemed calm, but behind the tall back fence, someone was sneaking out.

Lena-still in her gaudy house dress-tiptoed barefoot, shoes dangling in one hand. Her face was painted in absurd makeup: uneven thick eyebrows, garish red blush, and smeared lipstick. She looked like a caricature of herself.

"God, if anyone sees me like this, they'll think I'm some ghost from the next village," she muttered as she approached the side gate.

Just as her hand touched the latch, a deep voice startled her.

"Mrs. Lena, where are you going?"

Lena spun around quickly. A middle-aged guard stood at the post with a flashlight in hand. His name was Rudi-the over-diligent night watch.

"Oh, uh, Rudi... I just needed some fresh air," Lena replied, forcing a sweet smile that looked terrifying under her clownish makeup.

"Fresh air at this hour?" Rudi asked, frowning in suspicion.

"Well... after dinner, I felt dizzy. The air inside feels suffocating," Lena said quickly.

She dug into her pocket, pulled out a few bills, and slipped them into his hand, whispering, "Please... don't tell anyone at home that I went out."

The guard nodded instantly. "Of course, Madam. You can count on me."

Lena gave a thin smile before darting out through the gate. Not far away, the same white car waited. She pulled open the back door and climbed in.

"God, Lena!" cried a mixed-race girl in the driver's seat. "What on earth is that outfit?!"

"Shhh, don't shout," Lena whispered, pulling a hoodie from the backseat over her head. "Aish, I'll explain later. Just drive to Selena's Dream. My work's been delayed enough because of this mess."

Susy-her secretary, best friend, and the only person she truly trusted-shook her head with an amused smile.

---

Neil sat motionless, as if on a throne. His office, perched on the top floor of his corporate tower, was vast, luxurious, its glass walls framing the city's glittering skyline. Yet the dazzling lights couldn't dispel the storm brewing in his mind.

He leaned back, arms crossed, jaw tight. In the past two weeks, he had visited Selena's Dream three times-yet not once had he met the woman herself-Selena.

Selena, the club owner who haunted him. Sometimes vague, sometimes vivid, her image lingered like a whisper that refused to fade. And now, that name surfaced again: Lena. Axel's wife. Married only two days, yet already sleeping in another room. This morning, when he saw her... her back was so much like Selena's.

"Is this longing?" he murmured softly. "Or just curiosity over the resemblance?"

Knock, knock, knock!

A knock at the door pulled him back.

"Come in," Neil said without looking up.

Leon, his personal assistant, entered carrying a tablet and an envelope.

"Sir, the car is ready downstairs. These are the documents you need to sign for the project later."

Neil nodded slightly, stood, and grabbed his jacket from the chair before walking out.

The night air greeted them as they exited the building. A sleek black luxury car with a private driver waited at the curb.

"Home, sir?" Leon asked.

Neil glanced at him briefly. "We're going to Selena's Dream."

Leon blinked. "Yes, sir."

The ride there was silent. Neil sat composed, eyes fixed forward, but his thoughts were in chaos. Words he'd overheard kept echoing: The karaoke owner, Selena... and Axel's wife, also named Lena...

Neil drew a long breath. "Too many Lenas in this city."

When they finally arrived at the parking lot of Selena's Dream, the driver switched off the engine.

But before Neil could open the door, something outside caught his eye.

At that very moment, two women stepped out of a white car across the street. One wore a hoodie, but as the night wind blew her hair and she turned her head, Neil caught a glimpse of her face-if only for a second.

A gaudy house dress with bright patterns. Quick, determined steps. And that face...

"Lena?" Neil whispered. "That's... Lena?"

Leon turned. "Sir?"

Neil said nothing. But now, he was certain-

He was beginning to believe who Lena really was.