Janaya was alone in the hospital room.
Tears rolled endlessly down her face as she struggled to lift herself from the floor. Slowly, painfully, she pushed herself up from her knees and sat on the edge of the bed.
Her body ached… but nothing compared to the weight in her chest.
"I never wanted to do this…" she whispered, her voice breaking as fresh tears fell.
"Dad… this was your plan…" she added, shaking her head in regret.
Her vision blurred—
And then…
The memories came rushing back.
FLASHBACK
"Janaya, Damian will find out the truth eventually," Mrs. Voss said, her tone calm but firm.
"The best way out of this is to marry Ethan and let Damian go. We cannot face the public without this union. It's the only way to combine power."
Janaya's eyes widened.
"Daughter," Mr. Blake added more gently, "if you truly love Damian, I won't force you. But this can be done quietly. Marry Ethan… and divorce him after a year."
Janaya swallowed hard.
"Then what happens to Damian during that year?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"That doesn't matter right now," Mrs. Voss cut in sharply.
"What matters is Ethan agreeing to help us. Whatever you have to do… do it."
Silence filled the room.
Janaya clenched her fists.
"I'll go see him tonight," she said finally, rising from the couch.
Janaya snapped back to reality, tears streaming uncontrollably.
"I didn't want to hurt you, Damian…" she whispered, her head lowered.
"What do I do to fix this…" she muttered, reaching weakly for her phone.
But before she could—
Another memory pulled her under.
FLASHBACK — ETHAN'S MANSION
"Sir, a woman named Janaya Blake is here to see you," the assistant said.
A slow smile spread across Ethan Cole's face.
"Let her in," he said smoothly.
"She's my fiancée."
He leaned back on the couch, a glass of wine in his hand, legs crossed in calm dominance.
Moments later—
Janaya walked in.
Ethan stood immediately, his smile widening.
"Hey, baby… you came," he said, stepping toward her.
Janaya didn't return the warmth.
"Ethan, I'm not here for that. We need to talk."
Ethan ignored her tone.
"Prepare something special," he ordered the maids.
"My fiancée is visiting for the first time. Let her feel at home."
Then he turned back to her, stepping closer, his fingers brushing lightly across her face.
"So… what is it, my wife? Or should I say—wife to be?"
Janaya stepped back.
"We can't get married, Ethan. I love Damian."
Ethan paused.
Then slowly turned and sat back down.
"Is that why you're here?" he asked calmly.
"I came to negotiate," she said, moving closer.
"My parents… I'll do anything. Just help them. But not marriage, Ethan. Please."
Ethan let out a quiet breath.
"Tony," he called, irritation creeping into his voice.
"Bring my wine before I lose my temper."
"Ethan, please," Janaya begged.
"Just tell me what you want. I'll do it."
Ethan leaned forward slightly, his gaze darkening.
"As a man, I can have any woman I want," he said slowly.
"But for some reason… my heart keeps choosing you, Janaya."
A pause.
"Maybe one night together wouldn't be so bad."
Janaya froze.
"Ethan… what are you saying?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"You're right. One night isn't enough."
He smiled faintly.
"Two nights."
Her heart pounded.
"Ethan, do you even hear yourself?" she said, panic creeping into her voice.
"Three nights," he said calmly.
Silence.
Heavy. Suffocating.
"If you keep arguing," he added, "I'll keep increasing the number."
Janaya's breathing became uneven.
"I'll give you time to think," he continued.
"Three nights with me… and I help your parents. After that, I'm out."
He stood, ready to leave.
"There has to be a signed agreement," Janaya said suddenly.
Ethan paused.
She stepped forward, her voice firm despite the tears in her eyes.
"After three nights, you don't withdraw your support. And you let me go."
Ethan smiled.
"I love smart women," he said.
"You have my word. I'll have my lawyers draft it."
He turned slightly—
"Let me know when you're ready—"
"Tonight," Janaya cut in.
Ethan stopped.
"Let's start tonight. I want this over with."
For the first time, even he looked surprised.
A slow, dangerous smile followed.
"You're making me think I made it too easy," he said as he stepped closer again.
Then he turned to the maid.
"Take her to my room."
Janaya was led into Ethan's room.
The space was dimly lit, the air heavy with a rich, unfamiliar scent. A maid handed her a carefully folded outfit.
Janaya stared at it, disbelief flashing across her face.
"He has some nerve… giving me this to wear?" she muttered under her breath, snatching it from the maid.
Just then, the door opened.
A slow, dangerous smile spread across Ethan Cole's face as he stepped in.
"Excuse us," he said calmly.
The maid bowed slightly and turned to leave
"Sir, the wine," Tony interrupted, stepping in briefly.
"Yes, Tony. Leave it," Ethan replied without taking his eyes off Janaya.
The door clicked shut.
Silence.
Then his gaze dropped to the outfit in her hand.
"Red…" he said softly, a faint smirk forming.
"It suits you better. You should try it on."
Janaya's expression hardened.
"This wasn't part of the agreement, Ethan."
She tossed the silky nightwear onto the bed.
Ethan tilted his head slightly, unfazed.
"Then we cancel the deal?" he asked, almost casually.
Panic flickered across her face.
"No… no. I'll wear it."
She picked it up quickly and walked toward the bathroom.
At the door, she paused and turned back.
"You'd better not go back on your word."
Ethan raised his glass slightly.
"I'm a man of my word."
Janaya disappeared into the bathroom.
The moment the door shut—
Ethan's expression shifted.
Calm. Calculated.
He reached into his pocket and slipped a small tablet into one of the wine glasses. It dissolved instantly.
A subtle enhancement—something to heighten sensation, lower resistance… make the night easier to control.
He exhaled slowly.
"I need this…" he murmured.
The bathroom door opened.
Janaya stepped out.
The red fabric clung softly to her figure, elegant yet dangerously alluring. It wasn't revealing in an obvious way but it left just enough to imagination. The soft fall of the material, the way it traced her silhouette… it was effortless, natural.
Ethan's eyes darkened.
"Letting you go after three nights…" he said slowly, picking up the glass cups,
"feels like a loss already."
He stepped closer, handing her one.
"I'm doing this because I love you."
Janaya didn't respond.
Her fingers tightened.
"You look…" Ethan paused, studying her carefully.
"…like something no man forgets."
She looked away.
"I'm not here for compliments. Let's just get this over with."
Ethan's jaw tightened slightly.
"Then maybe you should leave."
His voice rose just enough to shake the air.
"I'm trying to show you the part of me that wants you—and you keep rejecting it."
Silence.
Janaya sighed, frustration and exhaustion mixing together.
"Give me the wine."
She took the glass from him.
Ethan's lips curved.
"Cheers… to our first night together."
Their glasses touched lightly.
She drank.
So did he.
Ethan set his glass aside and stepped closer.
Too close.
His presence surrounded her.
"Hey… babe," he murmured near her ear, his voice low, almost a whisper.
Janaya stiffened.
His hand moved slowly, tracing her panties then touching her clits.
Deliberately—testing, waiting, claiming space rather than force.
The air between them grew heavy.
Unavoidable.
This wasn't love.
This wasn't desire.