Chapter 1

Emily Laurent and William Roland were making quite a noise in the bedroom.

It kept me awake.

I gave up on sleep and stepped onto the balcony to light a cigarette.

Emily was William’s secretary. We had just gotten married this year.

Before the wedding, William handed me two million dollars and bought us a one-bedroom apartment in the suburbs.

I knew exactly what he meant by that.

At the time, my mother urgently needed surgery. For that money, I swallowed my pride.

What was dignity, anyway?

Compared to my mother’s life, it meant nothing.

I had just finished my cigarette when the noise inside stopped.

I drove William home.

Before leaving, he handed me another fifty grand.

"Your mother just had surgery. She’ll need proper care."

I took the money without hesitation.

Money for silence.

A fair exchange.

I drove back, finally ready to get some proper rest.

But as I was about to collapse onto the couch, Emily emerged in a sheer black nightgown, barefoot.

Seductive and fiery.

Especially those delicate little feet.

Pink and unbearably cute.

Honestly, even the famously beautiful Lillian Dupont couldn’t compare.

No wonder a man like William was willing to throw money at her.

Seeing her pout, I smirked and offered her a cigarette.

"William’s stamina isn’t what it used to be."

Emily took the cigarette and inhaled sharply.

"One little pill, one cigarette—that’s all he lasts. Then he leaves me frustrated every time."

As she spoke, she pressed her foot lightly against my calf.

I shook my head and pushed her away.

"Get some sleep. You have work tomorrow."

Emily huffed.

"Honestly, sometimes I wonder if you’re even a man."

I pulled the blanket over my head and turned my back to her.

She kept rubbing her foot against me for a while, but when I didn’t react, she stormed off to her room.

It wasn’t that I didn’t feel anything.

Any man would.

Especially with a woman like Emily.

But I knew my limits. I knew what I wanted.

A woman like her wasn’t for someone like me.

My mother still needed extensive rehab after her surgery.

So I had to hold my ground.

Before long, the noises from Emily’s room started up again…