**“I spent all of the love I saved

We were always a losing game…”**

– *Arcade*, Duncan Laurence

A tear slid down her cheek as the haunting melody played—*that* song, the one that always brought him back to her mind. The man she had once loved… and the man who nearly destroyed her. The pain still lingered, just beneath the surface, ready to resurface at the slightest trigger.

Hearing Dominic’s story had opened an old wound. Of all people, Aileen knew exactly what it felt like to be rejected by the one she had loved most.

A few years ago, she had fallen deeply in love with a man named Robert. He had been her first love, and she had believed it was mutual. But it hadn’t been. He never cared for her—not really. He only wanted to play with her emotions and get her into bed. He never succeeded. His plan had crumbled when one of his own friends confessed the truth.

He hadn’t loved her at all. It had all been a bet. A game. His friend, unwilling to lose, had revealed everything.

She had felt like dying. Her dream of a fairytale romance had turned into a nightmare in an instant.

*"Did you really think I’d marry you? Please, Aileen—look at yourself. You’ll never belong in my world. I could never take someone like you seriously. You’re just not on my level."*

She wiped her tears and let out a deep, weary sigh.

*Love was hard. Tragic, even,* she thought.

As much as she hated to admit it, sometimes Cris was right. These days, people didn’t seem to look for real love anymore—just company. Maybe it was the fear of being alone that made people settle for anything. And then there were others—those who only lived for appearances, craving someone to show off like a prize.

“Aileen,” Cris’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

“Yes?”

“There’s a man here to see Mr. Dominic. He needs him to sign a document. It’s urgent.”

“But Miss Krubscabia isn’t here.”

“Well, find her, because this guy is *not* in a good mood.”

Aileen picked up the phone and dialed, but there was no answer.

“Aileen, he’s going to leave. Hurry up!”

“She’s not picking up.”

“So… what now?”

“Ask him for the document. I’m going in,” she announced.

“What? Are you crazy? He’ll fire you if you step into that office,” Cris warned.

“If that man walks away without that signed policy, I’ll be fired anyway. Just bring me the document,” she repeated firmly.

“Aileen, don’t do it.”

“Bring me the paper,” she insisted.

Cris hesitated but handed it over. Aileen walked toward Dominic’s office. She paused at the door, her heart racing. She knew this could cost her her job—but still, she reached for the handle.

“Mr. Dominic, I just need you to—”

The words caught in her throat.

She froze in place, stunned into silence by the sight of the man seated behind the desk.