Chapter 1 The Beginning

• I never imagined that my life would come to this point. That I would marry a man who despises me, or that I would accept a contract that imprisons me. Lies, secrets, impulses...
• I regret almost everything I've done, everything I didn't do, everything I allowed to happen... Or I wouldn't be here, now, lying in this bed, being accused once again of something I didn't do. Discovering in the worst way who the man I married really is.
• "Is it money you want?" He holds me tightly by the arms and throws me on the bed, pressing his body against mine. He looks at me with his dark eyes while holding my wrists. "Or can't you keep your clothes on for long? Sex and money—it's always these two things that women like you are looking for."
• "Let me go, Noah; you're hurting me!"
• "You haven't seen anything yet, Ava. I warned you not to mess with me, and what do you do? Full of secrets, acting like you're just anyone, not giving me an explanation! Typical of a..." he shouts and gets closer, inches away from my mouth.
• "Let go of me! You know you can't touch me; we have a clause..."
• "To hell with the clause, Ava! Isn't that what you want? A man to satisfy you? Since you can't control yourself and act like a slut, I'll give you what you want, exactly what you want! We'll consummate this marriage once and for all. Maybe then you'll stop trying to embarrass me."
• "Noah, please..." I plead, my voice choked, feeling tears streaming down the corners of my eyes. "Let me go!"
• "A few weeks earlier..."
• I finish my third drink and slide the glass towards the bartender, discreetly asking for another. Meanwhile, I try to focus on the conversation with my friend. However, the problems that have been tormenting me insist on dominating my thoughts, frustrating my attempt to come here to forget them.
• The bartender hands me the drink, and I resist the temptation to gulp it down. I've learned, since my last hangover, that alcohol can't numb the despair and worry I constantly feel. If that were the case, I could have easily become a reckless alcoholic in the last three months.
• With a warm smile, I thank the bartender, who returns the gesture and steps away. Then, I turn my attention back to Emma.
• "Ava!" Emma calls me, snapping her fingers in front of my face to get my attention. "We came here to enjoy the night, but I'm bored seeing you so distracted."
• "I'm sorry, friend, but it's so hard to forget everything. The problem with my mother, Liam's betrayal..."
• "You know how to solve this. The solution is right in front of you, but you insist on wanting to escape."
• "If the solution involves depending on my father, forget it! I won't humiliate myself in front of him again, Emma. Since I chose to stand by my mother, he made it clear that he won't give me a penny beyond my salary."
• "And is it fair to let your mother's life be at risk because of this?" Emma runs one of her hands down my back as she sees my eyes welling up with tears. "How do you plan to solve this?"
• "I don't know, I'll think of a solution by the end of the week. Anyway, I suggest we try to forget..." My words are interrupted when I notice one of my main problems; dancing happily with the woman who betrayed me. "Is this serious?"
• "I can't believe he has the audacity, Ava. My God, it's barely been a week since you found out about that betrayal!"
• "While I'm here, suffering, he doesn't even remember I exist," I let out a long sigh as I turned my back to them and emptied the glass in my hand. "But that will change today, I'll show him that I wasn't affected by what he did."
• "Or pretend, until you forgive him again, right? Ava, you need to understand that there is not only Liam in the world." She rolls her eyes. "At twenty, you've only slept with one man in your life, how boring! Come on, let's dance and try to change that."
• Emma finishes her drink and pulls me to the other side of the dance floor, where we let our bodies move sensually, following the rhythm of the music. The amount of alcohol I've consumed leaves me completely oblivious to Liam's presence, and I feel so confident that I notice the looks of the men around us.
• The waiter approaches discreetly, interrupting our dance to deliver a piece of paper.
• "Good evening, miss. I was asked to deliver this. "His voice is soft, barely noticeable above the music. "Excuse me."
• "What's written there?" Emma asks, curious. I slide my eyes over the written words before sharing them with her.
• "Beautiful lady in red, your dance is causing envy in the others. Why not give them a chance to shine too? I'm sure you deserve a drink. Come meet me at the bar."
• "I told you this dress wouldn't go unnoticed!" Emma says, excited. I observe the tall man, around 24 years old, with dark hair and a captivating smile, raising his glass in my direction. "What are you waiting for?"
• "I shouldn't, I don't want to..."
• "Oh, but you will, Ava!" Emma turns me in Liam's direction, lost in passionate kisses. "Forget your perfect life for a few hours and enjoy. Tomorrow is a new day, and you won't even remember what happened here today!" She smiles, pushing me towards the bar.
• The steps to the man are hesitant. I feel the moisture in my hands, but I decide to follow Emma's advice and sit seductively next to him.
• "Good choice!" He smiles as he calls the bartender, "Another whiskey, and the lady will have a..."
• "Dry Martini, please."
• "You prefer bitter drinks, miss...?"
• "How about no names? You offered me a drink, but that doesn't mean we'll be intimate."
• "I like your attitude, but how should I call you then?" He approaches and delicately tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. "I had an idea, Miss Mysterious. How about the first letter of your name?"
• "How about the last name?"
• "You're very demanding, but I'll give you the chance to choose."
• "You can call me Miss M., sir?" I try to smile seductively as the bartender hands me my drink.
• "You can call me Mr. E."
• I take a sip of the Dry Martini, and we continue to chat casually for a while. When I start feeling dizzy, probably due to the three drinks I've consumed in his company, I decide it's time to end this game of seduction.
• "Thank you for the drink, Mr. E., but I need to go. My friend is waiting for me."
• "I think you're mistaken, miss." He takes a sip of the whiskey and points to one of the tables, where Emma is having fun with a man. "Why don't we make our night interesting? We don't know each other; we don't even know our real names... " He leans in and kisses me softly on the lips. "I'm sure you won't regret it, Miss M."
• Mr. E. gives me a mischievous smile as he looks me over. In moments, I decide to abandon all my shyness, going against what I would normally do. After settling the bill, he offers me his hand and guides me out of the nightclub until we stand in front of a gleaming Lamborghini Aventador.
• As we enter the city's most luxurious hotel, a hint of curiosity about who this man is starts to tug at me. However, at the same time, I began to question if the idea of being in the company of a stranger was a good choice.
• "I'm going to take a shower," I announce as we enter the suite, not waiting for his response.
• I stare at my reflection in the mirror for a few minutes, while half of me screams to make the most of the night in the arms of this beautiful and irresistible man, while the other half advises me to call a taxi and leave. I can almost visualize the angel and the demon, one on each side of my shoulders.
• I take off my clothes and step into the shower, allowing the water to wash away the lingering nervousness. I hear the bathroom door open, and minutes later, the glass door slides open, revealing the perfectly sculpted body of the man.
• "Even better without clothes, Miss M." He murmurs, his voice husky, as he envelops me in his arms.
• "I can say the same, Mr. E."
• A surge of electricity runs through my body, focusing between my legs as his lips touch mine, followed by his eager tongue exploring.
• As desire envelops us, he effortlessly lifts me, ignoring the fact that our bodies are wet, and lays me on the bed, providing me with a night that will be forever etched in my memory.