A Line Drawn

Lisa sat in the passenger seat of Felix's luxury car, the city lights of Beijing flashing past them.

The ride back was silent.

Felix's grip on the steering wheel was tight, his jaw clenched.

Lisa, still replaying Vincent's words in her head, finally spoke.

"So…" she hesitated. "What did he mean?"

Felix didn't respond immediately.

Lisa turned to him. "Felix."

His fingers tightened around the wheel. "Vincent likes to play mind games. Ignore him."

Lisa frowned. "That's not an answer."

Felix exhaled sharply, like he was trying to hold back frustration.

Then, without looking at her, he said, "Lisa, don't expect anything from me."

Lisa's stomach dropped.

She blinked. "What?"

Felix's knuckles turned white against the wheel.

"I told you before—I don't do love, emotions, or attachments," he said coldly. "This—" he gestured between them. "—is just business."

Lisa's breath caught.

Just business…

She should've expected this. She knew this.

But why did it feel like a punch to the chest?

"Right," she forced a laugh. "Of course. That's what we agreed on."

Felix didn't respond.

The car fell into silence again.

But this time, it was heavier.

When Felix pulled up to Lisa's apartment, she didn't wait for him to open the door.

She stepped out quickly, forcing a smile.

"Thanks for the ride, Boss," she said, her tone too casual.

Felix stared at her from the driver's seat, his face unreadable.

Lisa turned to leave, but then—

"Lisa."

She froze.

His voice was softer this time.

She turned back, expecting him to say something.

But Felix just stared at her for a long moment—like he was debating something.

Then, his expression turned blank again. "Never mind."

Lisa's fingers curled into fists.

"Why does he do this? Why does he pull me close just to push me away?"

Without another word, she turned and walked inside, slamming the door behind her.