The fitness king falls in love after that night

Marcus hated surprises.

Which was exactly why I smiled as I unlocked the apartment door with the spare key Marcus had given me months ago.

Today marked five years together

"Men don't always appreciate surprises," Sandra had teased.

I laughed.

Marcus wasn't any other man; he was the love of my life.

The man I'd trusted with my heart, my future... and the man I had planned to spend the rest of my life with.

I stepped in quietly, balancing the small cake box in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. The lights were off. No music. No television.

My lips curved slightly as I nudged the door shut with my heel, already picturing the look on his face.

"Marcus?" I called softly.

There was no response.

I frowned.

He should have been home. He said he would be.

Maybe he was in the shower.

I moved deeper into the apartment, heels clicking softly against the tiled floor, my pulse beginning to pick up.

Then I heard a sound,Breath against breath.

My steps slowed.

Another sound followed,a muffled laugh. Low and Intimate.

My fingers tightened around the wine bottle.

"Marcus?" I called again, quieter this time.

No answer.

Just the same sound, the same rhythm.

My hand trembled as I pushed the door open.

My world shattered.

Marcus was naked, moving over another woman tangled in white sheets.

The woman couldn't have been older than twenty-two. Long blonde hair spilled over the pillow, her sun-kissed skin glowing beneath the afternoon light.

Sheets tangled. Skin against skin. A woman beneath him, her fingers gripping his shoulders like she belonged there.

For a second, I didn't move.Then Marcus turned.Our eyes met.

And everything inside me cracked.

"Bianca...."He called out.

The cake slipped from my hand.

It hit the floor with a dull thud, frosting smearing across the tiles.

The wine bottle followed, rolling.

"Get out." I screamed.

The words were low. Flat.

I wasn't even sure who said them.

Maybe it was me.

Maybe it wasn't.

The woman scrambled, pulling the sheets over herself, eyes wide, but I didn't look at her again.

I only looked at Marcus.

At the man I thought I knew.

"You said you were working late," he said, my voice barely holding together.

Marcus ran a hand through his hair, already irritated, already defensive.

"Bianca, I can explain..."

"Don't."

My voice broke.

I took a step back,then another.

"How had he managed to destroy everything I'd spent years building?"

The questions crashed endlessly through my mind.

Was every "I love you" another lie?

"What... the hell... is this?"

Tears ran down my cheeks.

My own voice sounded distant.

Marcus stumbled off the bed.

As he reached for me, I pushed him immediately.

"No, don't touch me."

His hand froze as I avoided him.

"I'm sorry, Bianca. It was a mistake," Marcus responded as he tried to steady his dress.

"A mistake?"

"You don't accidentally sleep with someone else," I responded.

Marcus lowered his head.

"It only happened once, Bianca. I swear with my life."

Did it?

Or was this simply the first time I'd caught you?

"Sandra..."

Had she been trying to warn me?

Has everyone known except me?

"God... How stupid have I been?"

Tears blurred my vision.

I looked around the apartment.

Every corner held a memory.

Now each memory suddenly felt poisoned.

"I'm done."

I grabbed my handbag.Marcus hurried after me.

"Please don't leave."He pleaded.

"There was nothing left to stay for," I sighed as I took off my heels.

The apartment door slammed behind me.

Inside the elevator, I repeatedly pressed the close button.

"Bianca!"

Marcus appeared just before the doors shut.

For a brief second, our eyes met again.

I only saw regret.The elevator doors closed.

Only then did I collapse against the mirrored wall.The tears came all at once.

Outside, the city carried on.

Nearly an hour later, I found myself standing outside a quiet bar.

I didn't remember how I'd gotten there.

My makeup was ruined,my chest still hurt.

My home wasn't an option.

Not while everything I had reminded me of Marcus.I walked inside.

"What can I get you?" the bartender asked gently.I stared at the bottles lined across the shelf.

"Something strong."

As the bottle of wine arrived, I took the drink immediately.

The first glass burned.

The second started to blur my thoughts.

By the third, exhaustion finally won.

I rested my head against the counter and drifted into sleep.

...

"Ma'am."

A voice pulled me awake.

A sharp throb split through my skull.

I flinched, my brows tightening as I slowly lifted my head. My mouth felt dry, my tongue heavy, and my vision lagged a second behind when I blinked.

The bar was almost empty.

"We're closing," the bartender said.

I pressed my fingers lightly against my temple, trying to steady the dull pounding in my head.

I checked the time.

It was already past 12 AM.

A flicker of panic pushed through the haze as I immediately opened a ride-hailing app.

"No drivers," I sighed.

I refreshed it, squinting at the screen, but the letters swam slightly.

Still nothing.

Seeing the frustration on my face, the bartender spoke again.

"There's a hotel across the street. It's expensive, but at least you'll be safe tonight."

I looked through the window.

A magnificent building towered across the road, glowing beneath golden lights.

I crossed the street.

Everything about the place whispered luxury.

The towering ceilings, polished marble floors, crystal chandeliers and the rest.

Soft piano music echoed through the grand lobby as I walked to the reception.

"Good evening, ma'am." The tall, smiley receptionist greeted me.

"I'm looking for a room," I replied to her.

The receptionist checked the system.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. All our standard rooms are fully booked tonight."

I forced a smile.

"Is there anything else?"

"The only room available is one of our VIP suites," the receptionist replied as she listed the prices for each room.

My heart sank.

I checked my account balance.

I could afford a normal hoterrtl without thinking twice.

But spending thousands of dollars on one night? That wasn't something I had planned for.

"There has to be another room," I said.

"I'm afraid not, ma'am," the receptionist answered me.

I briefly explained my situation, just enough for them to understand I had nowhere else to go.

The hotel manager happened to overhear.

After a long pause, he sighed.

"We'll reduce the rate, ma'am."

Even after the discount, I still couldn't pay the full amount immediately.

"Please, sir... I can pay part of it tonight. I'll settle the balance tomorrow morning."

The manager studied me for a few seconds before nodding.

"Okay then. You can settle the balance tomorrow."

Relief washed over me.

I thanked him, and I paid everything I could.

At that very moment, another receptionist answered a phone call.

"Yes, Mr. Kane. Certainly. We'll make sure your guest is given access when they arrive."

The receptionist quickly wrote down the note before walking away to assist another guest.

Moments later, my registration reached the same desk.

The tired receptionist glanced at the note, then at my identification.

Believing I was the expected guest, the receptionist smiled, programmed a key card, and handed it to me.

"Enjoy your stay, ma'am."

I stepped into the elevator.

I found Room MC1010.

I inserted the card.

A soft beep followed.

The door unlocked.

I stepped inside and quietly closed it behind me.

The suite was unlike anything I had ever seen.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the glittering lights of Los Angeles. Every corner reflected wealth, comfort, and privacy.

For the first time that day, I slowly let out the breath I'd been holding.

I sat on the bed for a while to gather a little strength.

I had no idea I had just walked into the private suite of a stranger