---- Chapter 14 They were a spectacle of affection right there on the side of the road. Liam held her face in his hands, kissing her with a passion that made her forget everything else. The occasional car would drive by, but Ava didn't care about the curious glances. For the first time, she felt free to be happy, to be loved, out in the open. What she didn't know was that one of those passing cars held Noah. He was driving aimlessly, his mind a chaotic mess of anger and regret. He had been to her apartment, but it was empty. He had tried calling her friends, but no one knew where she was. He was just about to give up and go home when he saw them. Liam's distinctive black sports car was pulled over on the side of the road. And inside, he could see two figures. He slowed down, his heart pounding a sick, heavy beat. It was them. Ava and Liam. And they were kissing. It wasn't just a kiss. It was the kind of desperate, all- consuming kiss that he had never shared with her. He saw the way Liam held her, the way she melted into him. He saw the look on her face when they finally pulled apart - a look of pure, unadulterated happiness. ---- An unfamiliar fire, hot and acidic, burned in his chest. It was jealousy. Raw, potent, and ugly. How could she look like that? So radiant, so alive. He had never seen her look that way with him. With him, she was always anxious, careful, trying to please. With Liam, she was... glowing. He slammed his fist on the steering wheel, a wave of impotent rage washing over him. He had no right to be angry. He knew that. He had thrown her away. He had told her he loved another woman. But seeing her happy with someone else, with Liam, felt like a personal betrayal. He drove away, the image of them seared into his brain. He got back to his penthouse and found Scarlett waiting for him, a new, expensive handbag slung over her arm. "Where have you been?" she demanded, her voice sharp. "I've been waiting for an hour. You were supposed to take me shopping." "I'm not in the mood," he snapped, throwing his keys onto the marble countertop. "You're never in the mood anymore!" she complained, following him into the living room. "Ever since that pathetic little game developer walked out, you've been impossible to be around. What was so great about her anyway? All she ever did was follow you around like a lost puppy." "She was quiet," Noah said, his voice low. "She was... easy." ---- "You mean she was a doormat," Scarlett corrected him. "And now you're mad because she finally found some self-respect? Or is it because she found it with Liam?" The mention of Liam's name made him flinch. "Shut up, Scarlett." "Don't tell me to shut up!" she shrieked. "| am not Ava. You can't just dismiss me when you're in a bad mood. You wanted me, remember? You won the bet. I'm yours." Noah looked at her, at her perfectly made-up face and her expensive clothes, and he felt nothing. All he could think about was Ava's smile, the way she looked at Liam. He had traded real, unconditional devotion for this, for a shallow, transactional relationship that was all about appearances. He had made a terrible mistake. He pulled out his phone and stared at the dark screen. His finger hovered over his contacts, even though he knew her name wasn't there anymore. He felt a profound sense of loss, a desperate, clawing need to get her back, to erase the image of her with Liam from his mind. He didn't know how, but he knew he had to try. The game wasn't over. It couldn't be. Title: A Princess? No! I'm the Female General! In "A Princess? No! I'm the Female General!" by CrushReel, Adela Taylor, a noble family's daughter, disguises herself as her brother to secure their Duke title by joining the army. Despite facing obstacles, she achieves remarkable success. However, upon her triumphant return, her brother betrays her, setting off a chain of events that will test her resolve and reveal hidden truths. This captivating novel delves into themes of secrets, reincarnation, revenge, murder, and drama. Adela's journey from deception to betrayal is filled with intrigue and suspense as she navigates through a world where power dynamics and family loyalties collide. What sets this story apart is its strong female lead who defies expectations and challenges societal norms in a quest for justice and redemption. Experience the riveting tale of Adela Taylor online at CrushReel and witness the transformation of a princess into a formidable female general.