Chapter 4

To save my sister, I grit my teeth and forced the tears back.

"I'm sorry, Miss Thorne. I was the one who shamelessly seduced Ethan."

I forced the words out in my sweetest, most high-pitched baby-doll voice. My throat felt like it was being sliced by razor blades.

A look of pure triumph flashed in Scarlett's eyes. She took a slow sip of her red wine and gestured for me to continue.

"I... I know that the two of you are the perfect match."

Every syllable felt like it was being ripped out of my flesh.

Ethan wrapped his arm around Scarlett's waist, his lips curved into that smile I had once thought was warm.

"Too quiet, Chloe. No one can hear you."

He used the pet name that used to belong only to us to stab me one more time.

I looked up and saw nothing but mockery and cold indifference in his eyes.

For a split second, a memory flashed in my mind—a rainy night when he had gently held an umbrella over my head. It felt like a lifetime ago.

"I said, I, Chloe Miller, am a shameless, disgusting slut!"

I screamed the words, my voice turning so sharp it practically pierced the eardrums of everyone in the room.

The lounge erupted into roars of laughter. Some guys even let out crude, suggestive whistles.

On the screen, the bids for my private audio files kept climbing. My dignity was being sold off like cheap merchandise.

"Fifty grand!"

"Eighty grand!"

"One hundred grand! Anyone want to go higher?"

Each number was a heavy boot stomping on my soul.

I stared blankly at Ethan, searching for even a shred of guilt on his face.

But he was just casually playing with Scarlett’s hair, completely ignoring my existence.

My phone buzzed again. A live location sent by Lily flashed on the screen.

"The money... you promised to give me the money..." I pleaded in a whisper, completely drained of all emotion.

Ethan finally looked at me, his gaze resembling someone looking at a piece of garbage.

"Call me 'My sweet Ethan' one more time, and I'll give it to you."

The crowd cheered louder. Scarlett’s eyes gleamed with malice.

I had called him that in countless intimate moments when we were wrapped in each other's arms.

Now, it was my final lifesaver.

"My sweet Ethan..."

Suppressing the urge to throw up, I forced the words out in my most sugary, breathless tone.

Ethan nodded in satisfaction. He pulled a stack of hundred-dollar bills from his wallet and carelessly threw them at my feet.

"Pick it up. That's all you're worth."

The bills scattered across the dirty floor, just like my shattered pride.

I dropped to my knees, picking up the dirty cash bill by bill.

My tears fell onto the paper, smudging the green ink.

Scarlett walked over in her high heels and stopped right in front of me. She tilted her wine glass.

The ice-cold red liquid poured directly over my head, dripping down my soaked hair.

"Oops. My hand slipped," she apologized mockingly, her eyes full of venomous joy.

I looked up at her, and suddenly, I smiled.

The smile made Scarlett take a half-step back, a flicker of unease crossing her face.

I stood up, stuffed the wet money into my pockets, and turned toward the exit.

Ethan’s voice rang out from behind me. "The auction isn't over. You can't leave."

I paused, but I didn't turn around.

"My dignity is already sold out. There's nothing left for you to auction."

My voice was incredibly calm—so calm it terrified even me.

As I pushed the heavy doors open, I knew that whatever love I had for him had officially died.

My phone screen lit up. A message from that long-lost Snapchat contact finally popped up:

*I’m downstairs. Don't be afraid.*

A small spark of warmth flared up in my chest, only to be instantly frozen over.

No. I would never trust anyone ever again.