Chapter 1

• The burning sensation wouldn’t stop. Nina stood stiffly as his cold hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her tightly against him. His touch sent a jolt through her, the icy contrast against her heated skin making her shiver. His breath, hot and heavy, brushed her neck.
• “Is it your first time?” His voice was low, his lips hovering just above her ear.
• Nina felt her throat tighten. His hands roamed down her hips, pulling her closer, pressing their bodies together. His fingers dug into her skin, a firm grip that made her heart race. She could feel the hard lines of his body against hers, the heat building between them, overwhelming.
• Suddenly, he paused, his mouth brushing her neck again. "If you regret it, you can always—"
• “No.” She shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. “I regret nothing.”
• He didn’t wait for more. His hands slid up her back, pulling her forcefully into him. Her breath hitched as his body pressed harder against hers, his touch rougher, more insistent. The space between them disappeared entirely, and the heat of his breath on her skin made her pulse quicken.
• Her body jolted as the moment intensified. His touch grew more insistent, and she gasped, heat spreading through her—a deep, overwhelming sensation. His lips hovered over her neck, grazing her skin, igniting warmth within her.
• The heat surged, her breaths becoming ragged. She fell forward, collapsing into his arms, feeling the inevitable surrender, knowing there was no escape. As their bodies entwined, the line blurred, hinting at a deeper connection—one that would seal them together completely. In that moment, his scorching magma erupted within her, flooding her body so intensely that it overflowed, leaving a milky trace beneath them.
• Finally, it was all over. As he climbed out of his bed in the middle of the night to head to the bathroom, she dragged her exhausted body up and quickly dressed into her clothes. Without another word, she raced out of the room.
• On the ground floor of the hotel, a middle-aged woman stood in the midst of the crowd. Nina walked towards her, and the woman handed her a black bag. "Your reward," came her curt reply.
• "Thank you." The young teen didn't even look the other way as she wrenched the bills and ran out of the lobby. Her waist throbbed, and her skin burned, but she didn't care. None of it mattered anymore. All she needed was to get to the hospital before it was too late.
• The sky was dark when she had finally made it, and the corridors were quiet. Nothing else could be seen except for the two stretchers right outside the door of the operating room. They weren't taken in because she hadn't paid yet....but it was different now.
• "I have the money," she sobbed out, yanking out the bag from her sides. "Just...Just help save my mother, please."
• The doctor took one look at the bag and asked the nurse to count the money. During that time, he waved the paramedics to take one of the patients forward.
• However, her brother's stretcher remained. "My brother," she whispered. "He's...Please save him."
• "I'm sorry, but your brother…we couldn't save him." He sighed, rubbing his forehead.
• They couldn't save him?
• Everything around her had darkened, and she could feel herself stumbling back in shock. Her chest constricted. No...No...this can't be possible.
• "What do you mean?" she whispered, only to be met with silence.
• Pain. It reverberated all around her, like a knife twisting into her chest. Sinking to the ground, her hands trembled. If it hadn't been for her father, the man who had cheated and abandoned them eight years ago…they wouldn't have been like this. He left them.
• Her brother was born soon after, only to be diagnosed with autism at the age of three.
• "You'd need these types of medications, if you want him to survive," the doctor had snapped at them then, forcing them to take up odd jobs to survive. They made it...but of course, fate had other plans…one that took the shape of a car accident.
• She was forced to sell herself, but she was still unable to save her brother.
• It was painful, but Nina recollected herself soon enough. Although she felt discomfort, she knew that there were other things she needed to worry about. For one thing, her mother was still there.
• Her mom still needed her.
• The operation was long, but her mother's condition began to stabilize. At least, before she learned of her brother's death. The older woman collapsed into tears. "What did you just say? He…he's dead?"
• "Mom," Nina cried out. "It's you and me now; we have to live well for him. Please."
• During the month her mother was in the hospital, Eva would simply sit by her bedside in a daze. Who wouldn't? The moment she knew her son had died, it was as if her mind had snapped shut, but Nina didn't give up. She even dropped out of school just to tend to her mother's condition, and her efforts soon paid off.
• Things had slowly been looking up. However, one day, as Nina was carrying her tray towards the ward, she heard a voice that stopped her tracks.
• Her insides turned cold. Of course, it had to be him.
• After everything he had done, how dare he showed up?
• "Eva, don't you remember how close you and Madame Gray were? If anything, your daughter should be the one getting married to him…"
• "Lynn, what the hell are you saying?" Eva's body was frail. If anything, the man should be thankful for her weakness, otherwise, she would've already slapped him right on the face. How dare he? How dare he asked for the daughter that he had left?
• He was the one who had abandoned them, left them to rot! And now, he suddenly thought it convenient to show his face here?
• "Young Master Gray is the son of a good friend of yours. I'm sure you're aware of them. If she marries him, she'd be blessed…"
• "Blessed?" The Young Master was noble and handsome. Yes, nobody could've doubted that. However, a month ago, he had been bitten by a venomous snake. Although he had lived, he was paralyzed.
• Marrying him would be Nina’s next ticket to widowhood.
• "I'll marry him."
• Suddenly, Nina burst into the doors. She gripped her tray and looked up. She repeated. "I'll marry him. But I have one condition."
• Lynn glanced towards the door, only to be taken aback for a few seconds. It had been eight years since he had seen his daughter, and a lot of things had changed. She had only been ten years old when he had left, and now, she was already a full-fledged adult. Despite this, her small face still didn't reach the size of his palm, and her skin was white and papery.
• She hadn't grown well into adulthood, not as adorable as his younger daughter.
• The unwillingness in his heart lessened. After all, since she wasn't that good-looking, she wouldn't feel wronged to marry such a terrible husband.
• "What condition?"
• "I want to go back with Mom. Everything that had once belonged to us will be returned. Only then will I allow you to marry me to him." Nina clenched her fists.
• Although Nina hadn't been in the country that long, she had heard of the Gray Family in B City ever since she was young. The young master was said to be incredibly noble, but there were rumors of his features and his flaws. It certainly wouldn't be a win for her.
• But even so, it was worth the risk. If she was going to get married, then she might as well make use of the opportunity to take back the wealth that her mother had lost.
• "Nina…" Eva struggled to grab her daughter's arm.
• Her daughter had already suffered a lot. If this were to happen, then...
• Worried that his ex-wife might convince her otherwise, Lynn immediately said, "Sure. As long as you're willing to marry him, then I'll let the both of you return home."
• "And Mom's dowry?" Nina's voice was icy cold.
• When Eva had married him, her parents had given him a dowry. Although back then, it wasn't as large, it was worth hundreds of thousands now. Just the thought of it made Lynn reluctant.
• "My sister's beautiful, and she should have better things in life. If she were to marry a man with a physical defect, then her whole life's done for. Besides, you and mom had already divorced. You might as well return the money that she had given you." Nina slowly mused, shaking her head in pity.
• Lynn clenched his fists.
• How the hell did she know about the Gray family? She had been abroad this entire time!
• What he didn't know was that she was merely basing it on speculation.
• "Fine! I'm going to give it to you when you marry him!"
• “I will marry him!”