Chapter 1

Everyone in New York knows Victor Roccanti is a bloodthirsty killer who never touches women.

Julian was terrified his adopted sister Mia would suffer if she married him.

so he forced me to impersonate her.

"Just act like a slut. He'll be disgusted enough to call off the engagement. Then I'll come get you."

One reckless night.

I walked out of the Roccanti estate barely able to stand.

Julian rushed over to check my body.

My collarbone and chest were covered in hickeys.He lost it, screaming:

"I told you to act! Who said you could actually fuck him?"

"You that desperate for dick? Even the goddamn Grim Reaper?"

I calmly fixed my collar.

"You're wrong, Julian."

"Victor... he was gentle."

...

Julian stared at the hickey on my neck.

His hand shot out and grabbed my throat, squeezing like he wanted to crush my windpipe.

"Gentle? That monster's buried three fiancées and he wrecked you like this—you call that gentle?"

"I sent you there to ruin the alliance, not to actually spread your legs for him!"

"You're mine. How dare you let him touch you?"

My head tilted back from his grip, face turning red.

But I didn't fight back.

I just looked down, watching his rage.

"Julian... you promised me money..."

Julian let go like I'd burned him.

My legs gave out and I stumbled into the shelf behind me.

He pulled out a handkerchief.

Wiped his fingers clean, then threw it in the trash can nearby.

Flames swallowed it instantly.

Three years ago, my father's embezzlement was exposed.

He took a bullet for me and swore to protect me for life.

Now he has personally pushed me into another man's bed.

He is even stingy with my brother's medical bills to keep him alive.

He stared at me, eyes full of pain:

"If Mia weren’t terrified of Victor’s violent temper and refusing to marry him, I would never have sent you…"

Seeing my numb expression, the guilt in his eyes instantly turned to anger.

He pulled out his wallet, yanked out dozens of crumpled hundred-dollar bills, and threw them viciously in my face.

He ripped the cash from his pocket and threw it at me.

Hundred-dollar bills mixed with checks scattered on the floor, rolling into the dusty corners.

"Take your money and go clean yourself up. ”

“Victor's paranoid as hell. ”

“If he finds out you impersonated Mia, you and that half-dead brother of yours will be at the bottom of the Hudson feeding the fish!"”

He turned to leave.

I held onto the cabinet and slowly crouched down, fingers searching the cold floor.

One. Two.

I picked up each scattered bill.

Blew off the dust and carefully tucked them away.

Julian stopped at the door and looked back at me.

The contempt in his eyes deepened.

"Born cheap. Even when it's money from selling yourself, you think it smells sweet."

It does smell sweet.

This money keeps my brother Leo alive.

I just looked at him calmly.

"Julian. Where's the Plan B?"

Julian stopped, turned back to look at me.

Something complicated and painful flashed in his eyes.

Like he remembered the socialite who once dazzled New York.

Then my humiliation seemed to hurt him, turning into deeper disgust.

"What? Scared you'll get pregnant with Victor's kid? ”

“Relax. The private doctor said after your miscarriage hemorrhage, your uterus is ruined. ”

“You can never get pregnant.”

"Stop worrying about things that won't happen!"

The door slammed shut.

Cold air rushed in.

I gripped the money tightly.

This money, plus what I'd saved before, was just enough for Leo's medication for one month.

I walked to the table.

Poured a cup of cold water and swallowed the cheap painkillers from my pocket.

Bitterness spread in my throat.

I didn't care what Julian thought of me.

As long as Leo could live, even if it meant being Victor's mistress forever, I'd do it.