Chapter 2

The next morning, I woke up with my entire body aching. Finding myself in a hotel room, my brain temporarily shut down before last night's wild encounter came flooding back.

I lay in bed, my thoughts drifting. I couldn't believe I'd actually slept with someone while drunk. Even more surprising was how compatible we'd been—even his suppressed groans had sounded somewhat like Leopold's.

But then I remembered how Leopold had ruthlessly abandoned our ten-year relationship to be with Sophia.

I forced myself to push aside any lingering attachment to him. What's done is done; I needed to move forward. Besides, I'd already lost in love—I couldn't afford to lose my dignity too.

Suddenly, I heard movement in the outer room. Had last night's man stayed? I hurriedly dressed and went out.

I caught sight of a slender, tall young man entering, a freshly pressed suit draped over his arm. Our eyes met, and the air instantly grew still.

"Um..." I bit my lip to ease the awkwardness before speaking. "About last night, I'm sorry."

The young man started, quickly waving his hands. "No, I was just—"

"It's fine, really." Seeing his flustered reaction made me even more uncomfortable, and I hastily interrupted him. "I understand. This will stay between us—I won't tell anyone. Don't worry, I'll pay you three times the market rate."

I was surprised that the man who'd been so commanding in bed last night looked so refined and youthful. He had that sweet, innocent look currently popular in bars. Plus, he'd rescued me and stayed when I begged him to—paying him triple seemed only fair.

But after I finished speaking, he just stared at me, seemingly shocked by my directness. My embarrassment deepened, heat rushing to my face in waves. If I didn't have more to say, I would have fled immediately.

"Sir, would you consider a business arrangement?"

The young man finally snapped out of it. He glanced toward the bathroom before hesitantly asking, "What kind of arrangement?"

Guessing he wanted to freshen up soon, I kept it brief. "I was satisfied with last night and would like to hire you as my boyfriend for three months. Don't worry—I only need you to play along with my act during this time. Nothing inappropriate. Name your price."

"Huh?" The young man looked dumbfounded again. "No—" His phone rang, cutting him off. "Excuse me, I need to take this."

After the call, his demeanor changed completely. He adopted a professional smile. "Alright, I accept. But my services aren't cheap—at least ten million dollars, monthly."

My heart, which had been in my throat, dropped back to my chest. Ten million was steep, but I could manage it.

"No problem. Let's exchange contact information. I'll pay half upfront, and the remainder when our contract ends." I added, "During this period, I'll cover all your food, accommodation, and clothing expenses—just keep the receipts."

Deal done, I grabbed my bag and left quickly. Any longer, and the atmosphere would have grown even more awkward.

As I reached the hotel entrance, a cold breeze helped cool the heat in my face. That's when I realized something odd about the young man's voice—it lacked the deep magnetism from last night.

Then again, voices often sound different in intimate moments. I dismissed the thought and headed home.

"Home" was actually the marital residence Leopold and I had planned to share. He'd paid for it outright, and now that the wedding was off, I naturally couldn't stay. The place was eerily quiet. Clearly, Leopold hadn't returned last night either.

I gave a bitter half-smile and went upstairs to pack. I'd assumed I wouldn't have much, but packing revealed otherwise. Most items were gifts from Leopold marking various anniversaries. Useless now. I carelessly boxed them up.

After finishing, I went downstairs for water and to call a taxi. Just as I pulled out my phone, I heard the door unlock. Leopold walked in.

I hadn't expected him to return and didn't know what expression to wear. Leopold's face revealed nothing as he silently walked to the living room and sat down. He seemed troubled, pressing his fingers against his temple.

With nothing to say to him, I turned to go back upstairs for my things. Halfway there, he called out to me. "Lucinda, you have nothing to say to me?" His tone carried an accusatory superiority.

Without turning around, I replied flatly, "I said everything I needed to last night."

"Lucinda!" Leopold's voice sharpened with anger.

My heart trembled. I tightened my grip on the water glass and continued, "Don't worry. I'm not the clingy type. I've packed my things and will move out immediately. I won't delay your happily-ever-after with Sophia."

As soon as I finished speaking, a sudden force gripped my wrist, spinning me around. Startled, I lost my grip on the glass. With a crash, glass shards scattered everywhere, cutting the skin at my ankle.

Leopold's expression changed when he saw the cut, and he instinctively bent to examine it. I yanked my hand away and backed up two steps on the stairs. "Leopold, I'm willing to step aside. Isn't that enough?"

Leopold froze, then slowly raised his head to look at me. His eyes were cold and sharp, as if trying to pierce my soul. "Are you in such a hurry to step aside—or to move on to someone else?"

A chill ran through me as I stared at him in disbelief. "Leopold, how can you say that?"

Leopold laughed coldly. "You dare do it but can't bear to hear it spoken?"

I dug my nails into my palm, looking directly at him. "Tell me then, what exactly did I do?"

"Where were you last night?"

My breath caught. I couldn't answer.

"Cat got your tongue?" Leopold grabbed my chin, forcing it up. "Answer me."

Forced to look up, I wanted to mock him for his hypocrisy but decided it wasn't worth it. "Leopold, since we've decided to separate, why keep questioning me? Wouldn't it be better to leave each other with some dignity?"

Leopold's eyes turned glacial. "Dignity? You don't deserve it!"

In that moment, my heart felt as if it had been run through with a blade, the pain excruciating. He had betrayed me first—how could he still self-righteously accuse me?

Anger surged within me. I knocked his hand away and said coldly, "You're right. I don't deserve it. You were willing to abandon our engagement for Sophia, regardless of both families' reputations. How could I possibly compare?"

Leopold's face remained cold. "This is between you and me. Why bring Sophia into it?"

His response made me laugh bitterly. He'd gone to such lengths to please Sophia, even using my proudest achievement—my principal dancer performance—to highlight her excellence. Yet now he couldn't bear to have her name tainted in the slightest.

"Leopold, I truly regret ever meeting you."

Leopold's body visibly tensed, fury building in his eyes. "Do you regret meeting me, or do you regret not meeting Asher sooner? Lucinda, admit it—your rush to move out is because you're desperate to move in with Asher!"