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"Sophia, don't do this…"
So noisy.
I shut him up with another kiss. It worked. No wonder this club was so popular.
The escorts weren't just handsome. They knew how to play hard to get.
Finally, I heard a sigh from above me.
"You started this. Don't you dare regret it."
Then he flipped me beneath him, his mouth crashing down on mine in a storm of raw, pent-up passion.
After a night of tangled limbs and fevered whispers, I jolted awake before dawn.
It took me a moment to remember where I was and what I'd done.
I'd slept with a stranger. An escort from a club.
He was still asleep. I quietly dressed and slipped out.
As I passed a department store's plate-glass window, I saw my reflection.
My clothes were torn, and my neck was a canvas of angry red marks.
I hurried home, hoping to sneak in before my brother woke up.
I was almost at the stairs when a cold voice stopped me.
"Where were you last night?"
Ethan was leaning against the doorway, his arms crossed.
I froze. Wasn't he supposed to be with Chloe? I could see the faint marks of her kisses on his neck.
His eyes were lazy, but sharp.
I looked down, my heart sinking. I had thought that after last night, Ethan and I would be finished.
I could finally start seeing him as just my brother's friend.
"I… just went for a walk," I mumbled. "Why are you back so soon?"
His new villa was under renovation, so he'd been staying with us for a few months.
I glanced around. "Where's Chloe? Didn't she come back with you?"
In an instant, his expression darkened. "Sophia, where were you? And who did this to you?"
I realized he was talking about the marks on my neck. I pulled my collar up. "It's nothing. Mosquito bites."
A cold, humorless laugh escaped him.
"Don't play dumb. I know your brother drugged your drink, too."
"Did your little plan backfire? Couldn't sleep with me, so you ran out and found some other man?" he sneered.
"Sophia, did you really think calling Chloe over and then disappearing for a night would make me worry about you? That's a pathetic way to play hard to get."
I was stunned. Why was he so angry? I had given him exactly what he wanted.
A bitter taste filled my mouth. He thought my sacrifice was just some childish game.
His voice was like ice.
"As you can see, Chloe and I were together last night. I'm going to marry her. So whatever little games you're playing, stop now."
I looked down, a small, sad smile on my lips. "Fine."
"I'm sorry about what my brother did, but…"
I looked up, meeting his gaze. "I'm really not in love with you anymore."
He stared at me, his brow furrowed in disbelief. Everyone in our circle knew I was in love with him.
I'd refused countless dates and set-ups, waiting only for him.
But now I knew better.
I wouldn't bring a daughter into this world just to watch her die in despair.
Ethan opened his mouth to reply, but my brother's terrified shriek cut him off.
"A GHOST! There's a ghost in the house!"
Jake came sprinting down the stairs, pointing a trembling finger towards a guest room. "Chloe! When did she get here?"
Ethan calmly closed the bedroom door.
"I brought her back last night. She was exhausted and doesn't like hotels."
"What?!" My brother shot a complicated look from Ethan to me.
"So… you two didn't… last night?" His eyes darted between the marks on my neck and the ones on Ethan's.
"Jake, I'm going back to bed," I said, making a quick escape.
From my room, I could faintly hear them arguing—Jake demanding answers.
At lunchtime, Jake knocked on my door but I didn't get up.
"I'm not hungry, Jake. You guys go ahead."
A moment later, I heard Chloe's light, tinkling laugh.
"Let me try. After all, it's thanks to Sophia that Ethan and I are finally together."
