My boyfriend, Ricardo Travolta, sold my private photos for a high price to please the other woman, Dahlia Dixon.

He even locked me in a basement for three days and nights, knowing I had claustrophobia.

Then, in front of everyone, he smashed my mom's keepsake and forced me to get down on my knees to apologize.

When he saw my swollen knees, he sighed helplessly and pulled me into his arms. "I'm sorry, baby. I just didn't want her to hurt you."

I thought he finally believed me until I overheard him talking to one of his friends.

"Nice move, Ric. You knew Elena was innocent, but still made her kneel and apologize. Aren't you afraid she'll leave you when she finds out the truth?"

"I couldn't care less. Getting Lia jealous for once is worth it," Ricardo replied.

"That makes sense. Only someone like Ms. Dixon, who's successful and classy, deserves you. Elena's just a pretty face. She's only good as a plaything."

So, he had known the truth all along. To him, I was nothing more than a pet for his amusement.

Wiping away my tears, I called the Fitzgerald family heir, Donovan Fitzgerald.

"I've made up my mind. Take me away," I said.

Donovan was silent for a moment before replying, "Alright. I'll prepare a fake death certificate for you—give me a week."

***

After hanging up, I turned around and ran right into Ricardo.

The hallway light cast shadows over his face.

He walked over and pulled me into his arms, his chin brushing my shoulder. "Why are your eyes so red?"

His voice was so gentle. The old me would have wrapped my arms around his neck, acting all affectionate.

But I'd changed...

"I miss my family," I said.

I pushed him away and forced a small smile.

Ricardo rubbed my nose playfully. "So sensitive. Let me give you—"

Before he could finish, Dahlia's call came through. "You coming or not?"

His lips curved slightly. "Yeah."

He lowered his head, his nose brushing gently against mine. "Wait for me. I'll give you what I promised after this."

Without answering, I started to walk out.

Ricardo suddenly pulled me back into his arms.

"Jealous?" he whispered in my ear, his tone laced with amusement. "Don't be like that. You don't know how this works. Watch Lia tonight and learn."

I pushed him away, expressionless. "No need."

I was only with Ricardo to repay him anyway.

With our agreement about to end, I was done putting up with Dahlia's nonsense.

Ricardo tightened his grip on my wrist, his tone growing stern. "Be good, okay?"

His cold expression told me he wouldn't take no for an answer.

He knew people would mock me, but he still wanted me to go.

Just as I was about to refuse, I heard the click of heels behind me.

Dahlia let out a short, cold laugh. "Mr. Travolta, now I know why you didn't come see me—distracted by a pretty thing, huh?"

Her gaze flicked to my red eyes, and satisfaction flashed across her face.

"You really are just a pretty face—nice to look at, but useless. You'd better milk him for all he's worth. This money could come in handy for the STD you picked up from another man."

Something in me snapped. "What do you mean by that?" I shot back.

Ricardo chuckled and stroked the top of my head. "Calm down. Unlike you, Lia has her own career. She doesn't need to rely on a man."

His words reminded me of the conversation I'd overheard earlier.

I mumbled, "So you also think I'm a gold digger?"

Ricardo's smile widened, but his eyes turned cold. He pinched my earlobe hard and said in a low, mocking tone, "Aren't you?"

A sharp pain stabbed my chest.

When my mom was dying, she held my hand and told me to be with Ricardo, to repay him.

I refused, but she persuaded me, saying it could be for the money.

But I never wanted Ricardo's money. All I ever wanted was freedom.

His cold voice rang in my ears, full of scorn. "You're with me for my money, aren't you?"

I wanted to say no, but my throat felt stuck. Not a single word came out.

Ricardo wrapped an arm around my shoulder. His voice softened a little. "Want to grab some cupcakes?"

Dahlia gave me a long look, then let out a faint laugh filled with mockery.

"You're such a little girl. Only kids like those childish things. I'm not that easily pleased."

She raised her glass. "Mr. Travolta, are you interested to learn more about that piece of land in New York?"

Ricardo arched a brow, clinked his glass against hers, and the two of them talked like they'd known each other forever.

He leaned down and kissed the top of my head. His pale blue eyes softened. "I'll be right back. Stay here and don't wander off."

The moment he left, Dahlia's friends swarmed around me.

"So this is Mr. Travolta's plaything, huh? Young, but quite the schemer."

"Plaything? She's just trash that men use and toss aside."

"Didn't they say you're good at pleasing men? How about you lick my shoes clean, and I'll give you this watch?"

I was shaking with anger and threw the cupcake in my hand right at the woman's expensive dress.

"Do you know how much this dress costs? Can you even afford to pay for it?"

"No worries. She can just sleep with a few more guys to make up for it."

At those words, a few men nearby turned toward me, their eyes dark with intent.

My chest tightened, and I almost cried. I looked toward Ricardo through the crowd without thinking.

He was talking to Dahlia, a faint smile of admiration in his eyes.

As if sensing my gaze, Ricardo turned his head and looked at me.

For one brief second, our eyes met. I moved my lips silently, asking if he could take me away.

But before he could answer, Dahlia leaned in close and whispered something in his ear. Ricardo's expression went cold, and he looked away.

It felt like someone had just squeezed my heart hard.

Did he think I wouldn't leave him? Or did he simply not care?

Dahlia lifted her glass and hooked a finger under a young guy's chin. "Hey, pretty boy, wanna share a drink with me?"

Seeing her flirt like that, a faint trace of jealousy crossed Ricardo's calm eyes.

He stepped between them, his arm brushing against Dahlia's wrist, his tone sour. "It's boring to drink with him. Drink with me instead."

Oh, so he cared. Just not about me.

I turned away quietly. Someone forced drink after drink on me, and my head started to spin.

A moment later, Ricardo strode over, pulled off his suit jacket, and wrapped it around me, shielding me completely in his arms.

His face was dark and cold. "Who did this?"

One of Dahlia's friends trembled as she stepped forward. "I–I did. I just saw her flirting with all the men, so I thought..."

Ricardo tightened his arm around my waist, his whole body giving off a dangerous aura.

"My woman can do whatever she wants. If she likes pretty boys, I'll rent out a whole place for her to play. You got a problem with that?"

While he said that, his gaze never left Dahlia. There was even a flicker of hope in his eyes.

But Dahlia only moved her lips, then turned away with a proud smile.

Ricardo's expression froze. His knuckles turned white, his voice low and sharp. "Are you gonna do it yourself, or do you want me to make you?"

The girl panicked completely, dropped to her knees, and slapped herself over and over, crying that she was wrong.

Ricardo frowned at me, his voice ice-cold. "They bullied you, and you didn't fight back? You couldn't even tell them you're my woman?"

I almost laughed. Without his silent permission, would they have dared to bully me?

But I'd be gone soon.

And I'd owe him nothing anymore.

Maybe I was really scared out of my mind, because I ran a fever for days and nights.

Ricardo stayed by my side the whole time, using his body heat to help bring my temperature down every day.

When I woke up in a daze, a familiar figure seemed to appear before me. "Donovan, why are you here?"

Ricardo froze for a moment, then his face darkened. He gripped my chin hard, his voice cold and sharp. "Who's Donovan?"

Through the haze, my vision slowly cleared, and I stared at Ricardo in fear.

The veins on his forehead bulged, his pale blue eyes filled with frost. "Did I ever tell you that you're mine?"

"Don't touch me!"

My stomach churned, and I couldn't stop myself from gagging.

He got furious, pushed my legs apart, and forced himself on top of me.

Just like before. Every time I mentioned another man, his jealousy would explode, and he'd go crazy, leaving his marks all over me until dawn.

I thought today would be the same, until his phone rang.

Dahlia's voice was trembling with fear. "Ric, what do I do? Wesley's men took me away. I'm so scared..."

Ricardo froze for a second, the vein at his temple twitching. Still, he forced himself to stay calm. "Where are you? What's around you? I'll come right now. Just wait for me!"

Then he got off the bed quickly, slammed the door behind him, and left without even looking back at me.

I let out a small, bitter laugh.

It was obvious when someone loved you, and when they didn't.

Good thing I didn't care anymore.

Ricardo didn't come back until late at night. He looked like he wanted to say something but held it back, then walked to the window and lit a cigarette.

When it burned all the way down, he finally sighed. "Ellie, Wesley's got his eyes on Lia. I need you to marry him instead.

"You know our families don't get along. This is the only way."

My blood turned to ice. I stared at Ricardo in disbelief.

Back then, Wesley tried to make me his woman. I refused, and Ricardo shot himself three times just to save me.

And now, for another woman, he wanted to hand me over to Wesley himself.

He cupped my face and kissed me over and over. "Ellie, just take it as paying me back for saving your life, okay?"

Tears streamed down my face. "And if I don't want to?"

His face turned cold, but he still kissed my earlobe. "I'm not asking for your opinion.

"Don't worry. Once Lia's safe, I'll make it up to you. You can have as much money as you want."

I stared at him, then suddenly smiled.

How ironic.

One second ago, he couldn't stand the thought of me with another man. The next, he was sending me to sleep with one.

I dug my nails into my palm to steady my voice.

"Fine. After this, I'll never owe you anything again."

Ricardo paused, a flicker of panic flashing in his eyes before he quickly hid it.

He looked at me for a few seconds, as if thinking I was just throwing another tantrum like before.

He sighed helplessly and gently kissed the top of my head. "Just stay with him for one night. Don't let him touch you. I'll come and get you.

"And then we'll get married."

I lowered my eyes silently.

But I didn't want to marry him anymore.

The day before I left, I wore the dress Ricardo had carefully picked out for me and was sent into an underground casino.

In the private room, Wesley sat in the center, a thick gold chain hanging around his neck. Beside him knelt Dahlia, her hands tied.

"You want to substitute the bride? Fine. One of them has to strip for me."

Ricardo clenched his fists. Just as he was about to move, Dahlia said coldly, "I'll do it. It's just clothes. A woman's dignity has never been about her dress."

She said it like it meant nothing, but she only unbuttoned one button slowly, her eyes flicking toward Ricardo.

"Stop!"

Ricardo's voice was sharp, his eyes bloodshot.

Wesley sneered. "What's wrong? You shot yourself three times for this girl, and now you're letting her take off her clothes?"

Ricardo froze for a second, his eyes filled with complicated emotions as he looked at me.

I smiled at him, a faint ache spreading through my chest.

Before he could speak, I slowly pulled down the zipper on my back.

The cream-colored polka-dot dress slipped to the floor, and my body was almost completely exposed under everyone's gaze.

Different pairs of eyes fixed on me, and whispers filled with malice poured into my ears.

I hugged my arms tightly, trembling all over.

Tears streamed down my cheeks.

No matter how people judged me or called me a plaything, I had never felt so humiliated.

Ricardo rushed forward almost instantly, his tall frame completely blocking me from sight.

His eyes burned with anger. His voice was sharp. "Who told you to do that?"

I met his gaze, my face wet with tears. "You were going to make me do it anyway, weren't you?"

Maybe my eyes were too calm, because something flickered in his. Pain.

He took off his suit jacket and wrapped me up in it, his whole body radiating fury.

The next second, a huge explosion went off, the shockwave making me stumble.

Through the chaos, a sharp scream rang out. "Ricardo, help me!"

Ricardo's back went rigid. He instinctively let go of me and turned to run toward Dahlia without hesitation.

I closed my eyes in relief.

That was fine too.

***

The casino was collapsing.

Ricardo carried Dahlia out, then turned to go back for me, but the woman clung weakly to him.

Dahlia looked up at him with a rare softness. "My leg hurts. Can you take me to the hospital?"

Ricardo looked back at the casino, hesitated, then turned to his men. "Go save Ellie."

The car sped off, running through several red lights. His chest felt tight, uneasy.

It was like he was about to lose something important.

Not long after, his men rushed back.

"Where's Ellie?"

They glanced at Dahlia, then spoke in a trembling voice. "Right after you left, Ms. Ruiz was hit by a falling beam.

"Her body... her body's already been sent to the morgue."